Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1907-03-28
AVeQQE or EL0RAL FENIX oAHZIzOgGW EXRO
GROLINDS f-42ge.

tion grounds there has been set out
what IS claimed to be the largest and
finest parade ground on earth. Upon
this field Of level green the regiments
of the powers will vie with each othet
in displays Of martial pageantry.
The development of this exposition
has been something like the develop
ment of the original colony at James.
town, with one important exception.
or all of the men and women engaged
in this great enterprise for the Elk
ploitation of Tidewatcr Virginia. there
mas not stood forth one man of pre-
eminent executive ability There has
been, however, all of the strife, dis
cord, jealousy and suspicion that
marked the founding of James City
In the original colony, however, there
was a passenger one John Smith. who
made himself so thoroughly felt at
the time, that he graved his name in
history more effectually than it could
have been graved on metal or stone
There was certain confidence in
his bearing, much volubility and bold
ness in his speech that was exasperat-
ing. So acute did the situation be-
come during the voyage across the
Atlantic that this Englishman was
finally put under arrest.
The story of his life hitherto cor
roborates the old saying that truth j.
stranger than fiction" The story re.
lated by himself is exceedingly excit-
ing and romantic. 1t would have been
more easily believed if it had been
put on record by other hands than his
own. 1t runs something like this:
When but a youth he ran away
from home, carrying with him his
trifling belongings, and entered upon
wonderful career of adventure.
While mere lad he was shipwrecked.
and again, according to his own ac-
count, he was robbed at sea. He be-
came a tramp and wanderer through
France, where, being attacked and
robbed he was left half dead and ex-
ceedingly near to perishing. Meeting
this same horde of bandits later on.
he reaped swift vengeance by staying
some of them. While on ship car
rying devout Catholics to the Easter
celebrations at Rome, he was thrown
overheard in order to appease a most
furious storm for which his heretical
person was held responsible What
ever became of the pious Christian
yoyagers after their most alarming
experience, is not known. Smith him
self partly floated and partly swan
to a desOlate island From this is
land he was rescued by a passing ship.
While on this ship there was an en-
counter with Venetian argosy, and
after a bloody conflict, in which he
was conspicuous, the argosy was cap
tured and its treasury distributed
those engaged in the battle.
Later on he joined the Germans.
who were engaged in a fierce war
against the Turks. AS soldier of
the army of Prince Sigismund, he had |
a memorable experience with three |
Turks who were the champions of the |
Turkish armies. In this encounter he |
slew first one and then another. and |
still another of the Turks, who, in |
turn, engaged him in duel This ex- |
Dloit commanded for him at once the
'avor of the German army; and espe-
tally of Prince Sigismund, who made
lim a present of a handsome purse.
md who afterwards gave him a pat
ont of nobility, the coat-of-arms of
which was a shield upon which were
three Turks heads, com
nemorating the combat with the
hree Turks of the Mohammedan
orces.
Whether one accepts the truthful
less Of these stories related above dc
'ends largely upon ones point OF
'iew. Fortunately for Smith. the mos.
exciting and unlikely of the incidents
s corroborated by other and Older
'ecords than his own. The story Of
he encounter with the Turks and the
subsequent reward on the part OF
Sigismund are matters that had gone
'n record before Smiths narrations
them had been made pub
ic.
But. whether John Smith was the
nero and nobleman that he confesses
himself TO have been, he was a man
who did things" and because of his
ioings, the exploitation of historic
Tide-water Virginia. is called the
jamestown Exposition" albeit, the
location is far from jamestown, and
very few of the myriads of visitors
will go out OF their way to visit the
original place Of settlement
SMITH d, FRY