The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-20

Independence, preceding the reading with
few remarks concerning the ndisput-
able evidence that It was a real decla-
ration and the one after which the JET
fersonian declaration Of 1876, a year and
more later, was patterned. 8,
Another Declaration.
After reading the Mecklenburg docu-
ment Mr. Rawley read another "declara-
ton by Mecklenburg people, taken from
the South Carolina and Amerlcn.. Ga
zette Of February 0, 1776. It reads as
follows: -s3}, ~
THE young ladies Of the best families
of Nlecklenburg county. North Carolina,
have entered into a voluntary associa-
ton that they will mot receive the, adj
dresses Of nyfyoung gentleman OF that
place, except the brave volunteers who
served in the expedition to South Caro-
lima, and assisted in 2subduing the Scoval-
lite insurgents. The ladies being OF, opin-
ion that such persons as stay lettering
at home whom the important calls of tho
country demand their military services
abroad must certainly be destitute OF
the nohleness of sentiment that brave,
manly spirit which would qualify them
to be the defenders and guardians Of the
fair sex. The ladies of the adjoining
county of Rowan; have desired the plan
Of a similar association to be drawn up
and prepared for signature
The reading Of this interesting docu-
ment, which was new to most of those
who heard It., was vigorously applauded,
especially by the ladies' present ,
The Lost Colony.
1.-THE Old North State Forever" was
sung in rapturous style, and then DR..
]. Allison Hodges read most inter-
esting paper, which had been prepared
toll tI,;r n
Myroon, of I7ayettevlllo,s NJ, G. Mr.. My
! room had expectedato be2the guest, ofsthe
society and read the paper himself but
becoming critically ILL., he could not I'LL
| his engagement, and sent the paper by
| mail to be read by Dr. Hodges.
The interesting document was entitled
"1'he Lost Colony. or Whore Is the Grave
| of Virginia Dare?'
It Is a graphic story Of the settlement
| Of Roanoke Island, and the mysterious
disappearance from there Of Sir Walter
Ralcgh's colony, in which was the infant,
Virginia Dare, the first white person born
| on Amencn soil. What became OF the
settlers Is the question discussed, and Mr..
| My"oon proved by legendary lore and
/ other evidence that the Croatan Indians
Of Robson and Cumberland counties,
in North Carolina. the only blue-cyed
Indians ever known, are the descendants
l or the Lost colony. amalga mated with
the Indians of the Mantco tribe.
After reading tho paper DIR. Hodges
spoke briefly Of its value as Il chapter
In history and among other things said
he felt sure that IL that distinguished
native Of North Carolina, the present
speaker Of the National House Of Rep
rescntativcs, could have been present 10
| hear the paper md learn of the r.cil-
ness Of the love of his native State ana
| could have heard the old North state
hymn sung as II had Just been sung, ne
| would have pnrtnlsen sufficiently OF ihr
| enthusiasm Of this gathering Of Caro-
| Ina -Virgnians to enable him TO take his
Gear hand from tho throat Of the James
town appropriation bill.
Rich in Antiques.
Or y. /, Poll in moving q vote Of thnnks
| 70 Mr. MSroon for his excellent paper,
made harry speech In which he said
he never knew before how rich his OLD
state was in antiquities. lie said Mas
sarhusets was trying to preserve anti
luIties hut could find nothing hut Plv
mouth rock and few Boston did maids.
ana the Virginia Society for tho Preser-
Vhton of Antiquities has about reached
the conclusion that II will have 10
| wan srNera! hundred years yet To ri
some grow old but Moth Carolina Ii
s'tcllS IN It now, heretofore and forever
pther features We're vocal solos BY miss
Aitelh, piano solo by Miss Rebcccp