The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-24
ENCOURAGEMENT that the great

observation-disclosures of the
4 Observation-Disclosures Of Po-
cahontas IL to be married to
PRESIDENT Wilson has turned attention
once again back to the first popular
heroine in America. As IL has already
been stated. Mrs. Edith Gait is q de-
scendant in the ninth generation OF
Pc. ihontas. tho favorite daughter of
the Indian chicftain I%owhatan.
1t has not been generally realized
that in the South. and In Virginia es-
pecially. there are to-day numerous
descendants OF the Indian maiden
whose father three centuries ago was
regarded in England as American en-
peror, although as n matter of fact
the nation he ruled consisted of prob
ably fewer than 5000 persons.
The story of Pocahontss is one of
the familiar legends, but by a curious
error many persons have the notion
that the indian princess, after saw
ing the life Of Capt. John Smith, mar.
r!ed him. Students OF American his
tory need not be informed that Po-
cahontas did not marry the adven-
turer. but became the wife "
~ widower. Thomas or John
Role. After the story OF Smiths
romantic rescue from death had
been told and retold and printed
Tor two n a half centuries
there bobbed up in certain quarters
writer's and investigators who tried
to cast the whole tale into the cauldron
VI doubt. But the hest historical judg-
ment to-day regards the story rs
being strictly accurate In all its
essential points.
The chief reason why doubt, was cast
On the story of Pocahontas was tha,
Capt. John Smith cold such amaz-
ing tales Of his adventures and rescues
ehat he was set down as a romancer.
but later research has tended to clear
ais reputation in this respect.
While Capt. John Smith Is the chief
authority for the rescue story and for
many OF the known statements r.
garding Pocahontas. there is n, least
another contemporary authority by
whose accounts much of Smiths ac.
may be checked by the 'nvei-
tigator. This IL Eaphe Hlmcr. who
was secretary Of the Virginia colony
and a contemporary of Smith.
Smith made the first mention of Po-
cahontas that can lie found in prirt |
IN his True Relation" published in !
August, 1908. In this work the ref |
erence to the Indian maid is in these |
words: "~Powhatan's daughter, u child |
or tenne years old: which. nos oliy
Tor feature. countenance n propo.- |
lion. much e~xceedeth any If the rest
OF his people; but for wit and spir t. |
Is the only Nonparcila of his country"
The old chieftain had two other
daughters. but Pocahontas was his ia
vorite. and 1t Is more than probable
that at this time she was IL years OF
instead Of "tcnuc," as recorded BY
the Captain.
Capt. john Smith. At the tile lie
was saved from execution by Pocl-
hontas. was about % years of age. al
there were reports in he colony at the
that he had intended TO ma. ~
the princess and thus become Il .ac-
tor i'll the country. There do.s H..
To bc a great deal Of evidence.
to support this theory. but il seems
proved that the child had "A fondncss
for the adventurer, as he was inter-.
ested in her.
smith, who was the ablest ma IN
the band Of pioneers in Virginia was
undoubtedly, after the manner Of tray
el!ers Of his day, a ~braggart. His du;y
was to explore the country ~ TIE
neighborh0od of jamestown in ord
TO discover the strait which wa, g,n-
believed to exist. and whicl wa
10 onnec the Atlantic and
racine oceans On II Of his hiks
the interior he was made captiye
20 the Indians. II is declared thut
liked 70 bully tho Indians. ana
when he succeeded in making III ,,n
quake, take quantities of their maize.
Having been made captive by In
dams who Resented the attempt To
BULLY them. Smith Was carried before
Powhatan. who vas regarded as a
king n emperor OF Virginia hy the
Strange as it may %appe,r