The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-27
MIR. G. P. Pugh Delivers
The Address of Welcome,

Ladies and Gentlemen; Gentlmen of the
Historical Association of the Lost
Colony of Roanoke Island:
We are now standing in the dawn of
the twentieth century, fixed stars are
fading from our view and we grope in
uncertain light. But about four centuries
ago on the spot where we now stand
surrounded by all the many evidences of
civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in
the wind and the wild fox dug his hole
unsecured; and here lived and loved an
other race of beings, beneath the same
sun that courses his way in matchless
splendor across the great arch of the
sky; the Indian hunter pursued the pant
ing deer; gazing on the same moon that
smiles for you, the Indian lover wooed
his dusky mate.
Here he padded his light canoe across
these sheltered bays; here in the morn
ing hours could be seen the Indian squaw
tilling the soil, and at night their coun-
Gil fires cleaned along our shores.
On they lived through unnumbered
ages until as civilization advanced, their
war cry was known only to the west
ern wilds. After ages of petty warfare
among themselves as the sixteenth CEN
tury drew to a close, they were con-
fronted by men who built ships that
withstood the oceans storms and who
shook the solid earth with the roar of
their artillery.
Now only a few descendants of those
dark-hued children of the forest still
have their wigwams in North Carolina.
This State, until the year of 1888, had
not been settled by white men, one at
tempt had been made by a brave young
Englishman, Walter Raleigh, but had
proven an utter failure. Still his ambi-
tion and courage kept pressing him on
until on the oath day of July, 1884, the
shores of North Carolina were seen by
a company of men under AmadaS and
Barlowe.
They came close to a sand beach and
finally continued their sail north
ward along the low, barren-barriers of
sand, which divide the waters of the
ocean from those of Pamlico and Croatan
sounds-until they came to anchor near
an island.
Across the desolate sand ridges were
fair, land-locked, waters and great for
eStS, and far out to sea f1oated the
odOr of numerous flowers.
These weary toilers were charmed with
the richness of vegetation and the cheer
full songs of the mocking bird.
One morning they beheld in the dis
lance a small canoe, with some Indians
in it, which appeared to be moving to-,
ward their vessel The boatmen came
aboard and were kindly treated by the
whites. The Indians in turn invited their
strange visitors ashore.
Two Indians of important distinction
were Manteo and Wanchese. Manteo
proved to be friendly to the whites, and,
of the State Literary and
Historical Association, just as Manteo
opened the doors of his wigwam and
treated with courtesy the pale faces, just
so do we, the citizens of Roanoke Island,
open our doors in hearty welcome to you,
We are glad to have you with us, and
hope that in your considerations you Will
deem it wise to hold your memorial SER
vices on this historical spot.
Certainly there can be no other place
within the bounds of the Old North
State more fitting for such an enter
prise here where the colony of John
White persisted; here where still fingers
the mystery of the lost colony; here
where Virginia Dare, the first white child
IN America, first saw the light of day.
and here in fact, where the real history
of North Carolina had its first be-
ginning.
Thus we feel justified in claiming that
there IS no place more fit for the osca-
sion than this island, beautifully situated
in the extreme eastern portion of the