The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-06

Very many people, as near by as Rich
mond, are lmpre ssed that West Point
was discovered five years ago BY Mr..
George G. Governator to locate a summer
resort. When tourists Just drop down
from Richmond to get a sea-food supper
and a dip In York River or sail on its
blue waters, or to enjoy the invigorat ting
breeze for an evening, they arc amazed
when they happen to meet up Wit some
old inhabitant, who casually remarks that
not a square away 1Vashington's head
quarters used to be, and Just across there
on the southside OF the Pamunkey, where
it unites with the Mattaponi, is ETHAN,
the old seat OF the Bassets, In the county
OF New Kent. which used to be Matchot.
the residence OF Opecancanough, where
Powhntan used to visit, and where the
Indian Princess, Pocahontas. announced
to her brother her engagement OF mar
rage to John Rolfe. the Englishman. who
In turn told Powhatan about It. Then,
about eight miles down the Pnmunkey
River, from West Point, IN James City
county, on Ware Creek. q tributary OF
York River, Is "The Old Stone House,
the oldest house In the United States
In Campbells History 1t is found that
John Smith "bult a fort, as a place OF
refuge In case OF being compelled to re-
treat from Jamestown. upon a high,
t1Aht VIZ $3.50 w.
saulted and easy OF defence, But the
scarcity Of provisions prevented Its COM
pletlon," It stands about five miles from
the mouth Of the creek and twenty-five
from Jamestown, It Is built OF sand
stone formed on the bank Of the creek.
and without mortar The walls and
chimney stll remain This miniature
fortress Is eighteen and q half feet by
fifteen In size. and consists OF a base
md Nna ,tro To
both apartments. The walls are pierced
with loop-holes to shoot through. and
the masonry Is exact. This little fort
stands in a Wilderness. on a high, steep
bluff, at tho foot OF which Ware Creek
meanders. The "Old Stone House" Is
approached only by long, narrow ridge.
surrounded by gloomy forests and dark
rayines oyergrown with Ivy, IT is GER
talnly the oldest house In Virginia. and
Its age and sequastered situation have
connected with It fanclful stories OF
Smith and Pocahontas. and the hidden
treasures Of the pirate, BLACK BEARD"
a few miles down this same York River.
at Ultamnssae, Is the site OF the grea
national temple OF the Red Man. Here.
on Certain red sandy hills IN the woods
were three great houses filled with Inn
ages OF their kings and devils. and tombs
OF their predece In these sep
ulchres OF their kings" We're deposited
the royal corpses, embalmed and wrap
ped In skins and each district OF the
kingdom had Its temple, At the shrines
priests kept watch-hideous figures with
dried snakes skins falling from their
heads on their shoulders. as they shook
irattles and chanted hoarsey the great
..attles and ohanted hoarsely the greatness
OF the deity. The "brayest warriors m
cllned before this tempe with affect rear
In going up az down the York By the mys'
FERROUS Ultamussac shrine. they so'emnly
cast copper, or beads, or puccoon into
the stream to propltiato Okee, their god,
who sucked the blood Of children, and
made long strokes Of the paddle to get
away from the dangerous neighhorhood,
a little further down the York. about
Twenty-Five miles from West Point, IS