The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-09-12
On Historic Ground.
Visit to Jamestown Island Where
Three Hundred Years Ago En-
glish Colonists Laid the Foun-
dation of the American Re-
public Thoughts Of the Past
that the Scenes Recall.
Special correspondence.

Special correspondence.
A short walk from the Outside Inn at
Pine Beach brings you to the long pier
that is built out into Hampton Roads
for the accommodation of passengers
who wish to travel on one OF the several
steamers that ply between Norfolk and
the surrounding towns. Standing on the
end of this pier this morning looking
over the beautiful bay dotted with war
ships, steamboats, and merchant vessels,
our attention was attracted by the ap
proach to the wharf OF one OF the Old
Dominion Line steamers. As she was
made fast to the pier her purser shouted
out Round trip to Old jamestown fifty
cents This was about my pile SO with
some twitching OF conscience for it is
Sunday we boarded the steamer with
visions of an ecclesiastical court marshal
arising before us. However, the day was
beautiful, the Roads calm and soon
we were steamirg along among the fleet
on our way to Old Point passing over
the historic ground on which was fought
that wonderful battle between the Mer-
! rimac and Monitor, fight that changed
the navies of the world from wooden
| frgates to the present armOred battle
| ships. We were soon at Fortress Mon
roe, the Gibraltar that protects our cap
! itol, Washington, besides the cities OF
| Baltimore, Norfolk, and Portsmouth and
| Richmond from the navies OF the world.
| A short stop here and we are on our
way to Newport News. This town has
grown into a city. Here are the famous
shipyards and there are being fitted out
two immense battleships supposed to be
the largest in our navy. A few moments
here and we are steaming up the beau
! tiful James river, and while enjoying
the scenery we thought OF the past as
we have read of it; and what brave
hearts those Colonists must have had as
in their small craft they sailed up this
stream three hundred years ago, looking
for new homes in a country whose ge-
geography was unknown to them, sur
rounded by savages OF whom they knew
but little. They may have been search
ing for the EldOrado, or looking for the
| tabled fountain of youth, but whatever
may have been the motive of these hardy
vOyagers, the result is they bulded bet
ter than they knew for there was plant
ed the germ seed OF our great Republic
A sail of few hours brought us to
Old Jamestown and as we landed we
felt that we were almost on sacred soil.
Jamestown is on an Island which con-
tains 900 acres of land beautifully
located, washed on all sides by the
waters of the James river. Today a
soft Southern wind is blowing these
waters in gentle waves on the shore and
on bluff we stand under the arches OF
the old church tower. Then we enter the
old edifce and here is the grave OF Gov.
Yardley the first governor that issued a
proclamation calling together the people
to consult about their laws and govern
ment. Beside him lies one of the rectors
of this church while just here to the left
is where PochahOntas was baptized and
married. Surrounding this church are
the unmarked graves OF those who were
witnesses Of these early scenes. Over
these very waters the Red Man floated
in his light canoe, AID probably came in
numbers to the marriage OF their Prin-
cess to an Englishman, and it may be
that under the shade of yonder tree the
famous auction took place when the
ship load of women sent from England
to be the wives of the planters found
masters" who bid, we are told, so many
pounds Of tobacco for each; while up the
river as far as we can see our magma
ton shows us the rising smoke from the
wigwams of Powhatan' warriors. How
changed the scene. Three hundred years
| L
seen no more, his warwhoop is no longer
heard, while now the beautiful river bears
upon it's bosom floating palaces, the
white sails OF commerce are seen all
around while at it's mouth lies part OF
the magnificent and powerful navy OF
our great country.
The Colonial Danes have purchased
twenty three acres, that which contains
the historic part of the old town site and
the church while just outside the Govern
ment owns one and One-half acres on
which is being erected a beautiful monu-
ment to these early settlers. The remain
ing part OF the Island is the property 81
a lady in Ohio.
There is much more that | might write
about in connection with this historic
spot, but the dull heavy whistle OF
the steamboat breaks in on our reverie
and calls us back to the present and
soon we are on our way back to the
busy scenes of Exhibition life.
MAMLEON.
Outside Inn, Pine. Beach, Sept 8, 1907