The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-11-30

IL may not be marked OH the north
branch of the river, but it is there
nevertheless. Here was the first per-
manent English settlement in Amer
lea. We are all going to it next
spring or summer or fall.
One cannot see anything worth
mentioning from the steamers that
ply between Old Point Comfort and
Richmond. The way to see James
town is to drive over from Williams
burg, town almost as old, and quite
as interesting in another way. We
drive under the same kind of forest
trees as those which sheltered Pow
hatan and the Chickahominies.
White oak, black jack, hickory,
chinquapin and sweet myrtles line
the road. Green brier, trumpet vines
and other beautiful creepers are drap-
ed across. You can almost fancy q
Chlckahominy or one Of King Pow
hatan's braves, bow and arrow in
hand, hiding behind the great trunks
Old Jamestown-whati is left of it
Stands on an island connected with
The mainland by little bridge. Wa
ter lilies and arrowhead" most ap-
propriate to this locality, carpet the
marsh which at high tide makes
jamestown an island. The relics of
Colonial times arc at the north end
Of the island. A society of patriotic
women-thc Virginian Association
for the Protection of Antiquities-
has long ago taken steps to preserve
what remains Of the once proud Col
onial church-Episcopal, Of course. A
high wire fence encloses the old brick
wall, tombstones and tower of the
church. Here the Princess Pocahon-
tas' was baptized and here she was
married tc John Rolfe in 1914. The
church itself was erected in 1909,
two years after the settlement, and
about 300 years ago. Three hundrd
years is a long time in America a.! The
two bells that rang out Pocahontas'
wedding peal have long since vanish
cd from the tower, but the tower
stands firmly yet upon it's foundation.
The bricks are dark red, bound to-
"cther with mortar apparently as
hard as iron. Through the archway
we can see with shame the names and
initials of vulgar sight-scers who
have climbed up to desccratc this
most ancient and honorable place of
worship.
Lancet slits higher up in the old
tower indicate that the building was
useful as fort or block house
against sudden attacks of the Indians.
In our minds eye we can see rough
old Governor Berkeley and noble
Nathaniel Bacon, "the rebel,n gaz-
ing through these high lancet Sits.
Ivy creeps over the ruined walls and
over part of the tower A June rose
is trained at the portal, and although
visitors are forbidden to pluck even
a leaf Of the foliage the guide will
offer a rose or bud or sprig to the
tourist who seems interested in the
place. The association has covered
the tombstones that remain with a
layer of cement, as protection from
the dcpredations Of sight-scers. !
The restless James River is con-
stantly making inroads on the historic
island. Within comparatively a few
years it has made seventy feet; and |
,wo cypress trees in full foliage,
which a few years ago were on terra
TRINA, are now far out in the stream
ike leafy islands. Covered with wa
er now is the peninsula to "Green
springs" where the great sachem
oowhatan held his savage but in
many respects chivalrous court. Across
his belt of dry land Pocahontas u.s.
ID to come, running like fascinat-
ii deer, to watch the strange and
English Colonists. It will
'e remembered that the James River
vas originally called the Powhatan,
he Christian and ugly appellation
icing given in compliment to the De-
'ender of the F'aith--the pragmatic,
told, uninteresting son Of poor beau-
iful Mary Stuart.
Pocahontas was christened with the
lame Matoaca Rebecca. From fount
'hewn hollow like canoe" out Of
REQ trunk the brave, lovely and gen
le Indian girl stammered out her re-
Of Indian idolatry and