Evening star., 1927-05-01
STILL SEEK GRAVE
OF POCAHONTAS
Century-0ld Controversy Re-
neWed Over Location of In
dian Princess Burial Site.
Eorrespondeuce of The Star and North
American Newspaper Alliance.

Eorrespondeuce of The Star and North
American Newspaper Alliance.
G2AVESEND, Essex, April 30
Where are the bones of Pocahontas?
In this little Thames-side town, where
the famous American Indian princess
passed to the Happy Hunting Grounds,
there is renewed controversy as to the
resting place of her mortal remains. It
results from the recent discovery here
of human bones that for a few days
were believed by some persons to be
those Of the dusky savior of Capt. John
Smith
For upward of a century, off and on,
local antiquarians have disputed over
lthe location of the grave of the lovely
daughter of Chief powhatan (referred
to by some by her other name, Ma
toaka), who died at Gravesend in 1916.
Time and again Workmen in digging a
ditch or spading a garden have un-
earthed skeletons or parts of skele-
tons, which for a time raised hopes
that the remains of the Indian prin-
cess had at last been found. But 9lch
hopes have always been short lived.
Gravesend Renews Argument.
Now learned citizens of Gravesend
are once more engaged in argument
beautiful savage Three distinct
schools of thought appear to exist.
There are those who hold positive
ly that the bones Of Pocahontas lie
under st. Georges Church, Graves
end.
Opposed TO this group and advanc'
ing evidence which seems to them
convincing are those who declare that
the Indian princess burial place is
under or in the vicinity of the White
Post Tavern, a local hostelry.
Still others. forming smaller
group, insist that the remains are in
neither of these places, but hopeless
ly lost these many years.
Did PocahontaS die of a broken
heart or Of the smallpox? The an
swer to this question is of great inn
portance to the whole problem.
This sweet savage" was about II
years Of age when she first met
the white men, saved the captains
life-according to his account-anQ
rendered the settlers other assistance.
Cant. Smith wrote that mot only for
feature. countenance and proportions
she exceeded any of the rest of Pow
hatan's people but with her wit ana
spirit was the only nonpareil Of his
country"
Queries PropouIded.
Who knows whether she fell in
love with the gallant captain or mere
ly worshiped him as superior ana
exalted being? Who knows whether
he ever took more than fatherly
interest in Pocahontas? 1t certainly
seems that he made no particular
attempt to bid farewell TO his bene-
factress when he later left for Eng
land. No doubt he was gay dog
If one can credit his many written
references to fair ladies in other
LANDS, by whom he was loved and
whom also he left to langulsh.
Some time after the departure of
the captain. Pocahontas was brought
to the settlement by rascally
trader under false pretenses. She
was informed that the captain was
dead. whereupon she grieved exceed
ingly. Soon afterward John Roife, a
young man who had lost his wife.
asked the hand Of the princess in
marriage, but she declined his offer
until she was convinced that Smith
vas no more, by having his false
grave pointed out to her. 81
Al last she was prevailed upon to
accept Rolfe. A son was born in
due time. Perhaps Pocahontas for
got her first love with these new
cares to occupy her mind. At least
there is no record that during this
time in Virginia she pined for lost
lover.
Pays Visit to England.
When she was about 90 years OF
age the decision was made to go to
England. With her husband and her
infant son the Indian princess, now
known as Lady Rebecca, came to,
London and became the toast OF the
town as la Belle Savage" She
was received at court by King James
I and Queen Anne. A few short
months before she had lived in a wig
wan, and now she saw gilded pal
aces!
Not long before she had worn deer
skim now she wore ruff, a bro
caded gown and a high Jacobean hati
The Bishop Of London held a feast in
her honor.
Then, according to tradition, she was
one day suddenly confronted with Capt.
Smith, whom she had long thought |
dead. Reports Of this cruel meeting
are conflicting. Some say that she
tainted away and did not speak again
for a long time. Others insist that
she simply asked TO call Smith
father" Whatever the truth, the
princess began to lose her blooming
health and TO fade.
Finally came the day Of departure
for Virginia. Perhaps Pocahontas
took coach from London to Graves.
end, where she could board her ship.
That was the custom in those days.