The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-20

mi that possesses such wealth OF
historic interest. and Is SO
adapted for conventions as Is
the city OF Richmond. Situated in the
centre OF the most historic portion OF
the United States. within short dis
tance Of all the ancient towns OF the
Colony, fifty miles from Jamestown, the
first English settlement in America, the
ancient seat OF art. literature and learn
ing OF the early dayc and the very
heart of the struggle between the
States. there Is perhaps no other city
that appeals SO strongly TO tho people
D: America and to visitors from abroad
Us does tho capital OF the Confederacy
for fou. long years. and In united
country the capita; o! Virginia to-daF.
Richmond Is almost as old settlement
Acs is tho historic island OF Jamestown.
oil: James River, for but two years aftes'
Captain John Smith and his band of
adventurous gentlemen landed OF Amer.
ican soil In 1907. an exploration under
Wise was sent out from Jamestown to
find the source OF the river which had
heen named In ;1ono. OF the King. Salt
Ing up tho strearn. this band reached
tho heal OF navigation. and were forced
to como to anchor on account OF the
inmenso boulders that spread across
til. river. They landed In 1909 at a
point whore Richmond now stands, This
may BIO called tho frst settlement ot
the city, although It was not until the
following year that 100 men came from
Jamestown and won't Into camp at the
falls Of Jamos River. From Powhatnn.
thu Indian King. whose daughter, Po-t
cnhontas. played SO important II part in
the history OF tho Colony, and who lator
married John Rolfe, went abroad and
died thnre, was purchased strip of
territory whore Richmond now stnnds,
upon which a fortiacation was erected.
III 1911 sir Thomas Drake took possess
sion OF tho place. and. In honor OF
Prince Henry, named the village Hon
rico, which is to-day tho name Of the
county. and from which tho city OF
nichmoEd may fairly DO said to have
sprung. So 1t will DO seen that Rloh-
nond Is almost ns old ns the nrst set
plo and fostercd under the same laws.
stormy Days.
These carly days were days OF adven-
l.turo and of sudden death for the mon
who manned tho small fort, and so dam
gerous did 1t finally become thnt to Will
I liam Byrd, who is known to history az
the founder OF Richmond. was granted
( oil the territory around Henrico, on
condition that no would keep at thu
village fifty strong and stalwdrt men
!. to protect the settlers md overpower
the wnrliko and unfr!endly Indians.
It was IN Richmond that Nathaniel,
Bncon lived, and to-day stone on tho
lawn OF o small villa on Grove Road
marks tho place OF his residence hero.
Tho town slowly grew npnce, but It
was not until 1742, when George II.
rrtgned, that 1t was Incorporated under
tho nnmn of Richmond. In honor of tho
aristocratic resort mndo famous by
white bait on tho banks OF tho Than as.
William Byrd himself owned IN es-'
tato near Richmond; In fact. the prop
erty was In the heart of whntais known
ns Richmond to-day. and tho street
culled Belvidoro, which runs through
tho most fashionable part of tho city,
Was named after his residence, which
occupied a commanding position on tho
Hills that overlook tho falls. and which
IN tho literature OF tho day was do
scribed no magnificent md lordly. Rich
r,ond grow hut slowly, for Will!nms-
burg, which had become tho capital of
Tho Colony altar burning of Jnmes-
town, was the great social oentre Of
the State, and tho rich planters ana
their wives anil daughters gathered
there to take part in tho social affairs
that surrounded tho Governors court.
10 visit the play end witnesn the horse
rnecr and sports which there abounded,
IN ITO, however, during tho Rcyolu.
t!onnry War, on account nf tho thrcat-
sncd invanion by tho British, tho capl-
tnl was moved from williamsburg to
Ntchmond, which thereafter became tho
social ccntro OF tho Old Dominion. In
1882 Richmond was incorporated np q
city, ana from that time on tho growth
has been very steady, and we'll abreast
With tho times. !,
Tciptr Of Interest.
A spot OF interest around Richmond
In point Of antiquity al well ian In point
Of historical ynluo Is st. i ohn'H Church,
which building, standing or, a. hill which
takoa It's Na,ne from that edNcc, Ia per.
haps tho most famous church in the
whole Of America. Tho FarlSh, Of ~.
John'a daton back TO as carly IN period
o. 1899, whans q cllusei. o. aor1lc sort
fwas ereetea, but not Until Il 7Ao was the
X