Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-10
(By V. L. Holt.l


Early on balmy morning in the
latter part of April 1907, an Indian
stood upon the beach near where
Fortress Monroe now bids defiance 10
foreign foes, looking out over the
waters of the Chesapeake Bay 1us'
beginning to glisten and dance in the
glowing dawn.
lie was a kecOughtan warrior on
the lookout for the Massawomucks a
maruding tribe OF the Eastern shore
who had frequently committed depre-
cations on these shores.
As the day advanced and the OBJ
jects on the water became distinct,
stranger objects floating on the bosom
Of the bay not far off attracted his at
tention and caused him TO draw back
into the shadow Of the forest thai
fringed the shore, and after few
moments of close scrutiny ne turned
about and FASTENED to his village to
iell of the wondrous and fearful sight.
His vivid story of the monster
canoes with trees pointing far up to-
wards the sky on which were big
white wings, and pale faced men
thereon, caused great excitement and
commotion in the quiet village; in
q short time the war drums were beat
ing and the tomtoms tomming, call
ing for an important powwow 10 be
held at the Kings wigwam.
Soon the warriors were gathering
TO see what must be done in this
emergency. many were iii favor OF
manning their big war-canoes, attack
ing the strangers and destroying them
horse, foot and dragon" but the coun-
sells o. the more prudent and sautious
prevailed and il was decided TO send
tive of the most peaceful looking
braves TO meet them and extend an
invitation for them to visit the viii
lage and be entertained by the king.
How Captain Smith managed to I'M
derstand the invitation is not konwn,
but it is certain that il was accepted
and he was received at the landing
by almost the entire tribe and treated
royalty.
Captain Smith wrote in glowing
terms of the natural advantages and
beauty of KecOughtan (Hampton) and
il has been a matter OF surprise that
he did not find a settlement here, IL
is very probable he would have done
60, but for the presence of the ma
tives. he knew little OF them. and did
not care to arouse their anger. so he
sailed away up the noble James and
settled himself on a spot entirely sur
rounded by water, in order that he
might the better defend himself from
the Indian in case they tried TO drive
him away.
Fer some time the settlers and the
natives lived very amicably, visits be-
ing exchanged. but there came q time
when The settlers were in dire straits
for food, and they decided TO visit Re
cOughtan and purchase from the in
habitants; on arriving there and stat
ing their errand, they met with a
very hostile reception and il was only
after a sharp skirmish that Smith
was enabled to get the corn of which
they had plentiful supply, but the
HtNCi tnio iCSSOi anu
there is no record of the slightest fric-
ton afterwards.
In the spring of 1910, parties from
jamestown settled at Hampton at
tracted by the advantages of the place,
snd while Hampton has many other
important events in It's history, this
is the main one on which the pro-
posed celebrat on is to be based: that
in point of fact it was the second
settlement, and the Oldest English
settlement today that has been in con-
tinuOus existence. and it should re-
ceive the enthusiastic support of all
our citizens and awaken both a state
wide and national interest.
The matter as yet is in an unor-
gained form, there has been consider
able talk, but little action, in order
for it to be such a success as always
attends upon Hampton's efforts, il
will require united effort along all
lines and on the part of AL our peo-
pie
There is no reason why II should
TO: be a success; IL any OF the near
by cities or towns had such an event
to commemorate, they would be glad