The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-08-31
Paper Read Before the Cnautauq,.a Circle.

IT is not my purpose to treat ex-
haustively the early colonization
of the Western hemisphere, but
only to touch briefly upon few
of the points that interest the most of
us at this time.
By right suppose should begin
with Columbus, and trace the develop
ments from the time he discovered
America; yet if l did SO, [ would feel
in duty bound to look still further
back to the time when Left Erikson,
Scandinavian, sailed south from the
coast of Greenland, landing at Cape
Race, Newfoundland, and then sailed
still farther south to Cape Cod in 1901.
I believe there are evidences that the
Icelanders made many excursions to
our coasts, and explored as far south
as St. Augustine, Florida. There are
records in Islandic history showing
that they attempted to settle Massa-
chusetts and Rhode Island in the
twelfth century and named the settle
ment Vineland.
Whatever may be our opinions as
to the rightful discoverer of America,
it seems strange that the then civilized
world did not conceive the Importance
of Columbus discovery until after
a century of time had elapsed.
Upon the ascension of James l. his
first public act was to disband his
large standing army and discharge
many employees in the. navy. This
act threw many out of employment
without any resources, and many of
these were induced by London COM
pany, chartered by the king, to 60 as
.colonists to the New World. Prior to
this time Sir Walter Raleigh had en-
deavored to found colony on the
coast, but was unsuccessful.
In the year 1907, three ships, with
one hundred and five emigrants, sailed
for the New World under the COM
mand of Captain Newport. They
landed at point now called James
town, Virginia, on May 18th, 1907. One
parsonage on the first ship was Cap
tain John Smith, who is today con-
sidered the father of Virginia. He
was the leading spirit among the col
onists, not only on this first trip, but
for the first few years of home-build-
ing. He was young man of thirty
years. He had travelled great deal
in Western Europe and in Egypt, and
had fought in the cause of freedom
for Holland; had been taken a prison.
or and starved by the Turks, only
to be freed by Turkish lady and con-
veyed to Crimea. While here he killed
his offenders and made safe his
escape and returned to England. Fond
of adventure, he entered heart and
soul into the new enterprise, and his
experience and observation-disclosures soon
gave him the natural leadership, much
to the dislike of Captain Newport.
1t will be remembered by those who
are familiar with the accounts of this
first voyage, that James l. gave Cap
tain Newport sealed box, to be opened
WuOu WOAO ACouy AOA |" q SoN-
eminent. On the way over the Jealousy
on the part of Captain Newport agains,
Smith was so great that he made Smith
prisoner. The colonists did not ap
prove Of Captain Newport's action an6
made such a protest that he opened the
secret box given him by the king, anG
finding that Smith had been made 6
member of the council by King James
he released him from his imprison
ment.
Upon landing, Smith and Newport
with few others began exploration
and came upon an Indian village con
sistiug of twelve wigwams, near wher,
Jamestown now stands. They pait
their respects to the Indian chief
Powhatan, who was considered tn
most important chief of sll the tribes
The Indians did not look upon tn
white man in very friendly spirit.
is true the white man Was encroach
ing upon the Indian's ir1-,om an
domain, an act always r. .a,whell