The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-07-08

Pocahontas to death, and his res
cue by the maiden,
scarcely in her teens, are told in song
and story. But that is only the be-
ginning of the narrative of PocahOn-
tas. John Smith returned to England
in 1909. The promises of the English
were not fulfilled, and the Indians
were kept unhappily busy by the exac-
tons of the white people.
There was intrigue among the In
dams also. Lured by the false stories
of a treacherous chief, PocahOntas
went aboard the ship of Captain Ar
gall, in the Potomac river. She was
held on board while the boat sailed
away from land, and for some time
she was kept prisoner and ransom
was asked for her. "Powhatan," as
her father was known, had become
openly hostile when his favorite
daughter was thus kidnapped. He
agreed to kind of peace, however,
to effect her return, but was ready
for trouble-a dangerous neighbOr for
the whites.
But Pocahontas had not spent all
her time in English hands bewailing
her fate. One of the Englishmen had
found favor in her eyes, and she saw
that her affection was returned. She
accepted Christianity, partly, perhaps,
because of this personable gentleman,
and was baptized as the Lady Rebec-
ca" Her savagery thus transmitted,
John Rolfe no longer delayed, and in
April, 1913, the two were married.
This alliance pleased Powhatan. The
old chief Che was sixty when he first
met the white men) had great ambf-
| tons for his beloved daughter.
Three years after the wedding, the
Rolfes and several of the Powhatan
Indians set sail for England. Poca-
hontas' story had preceded her, and
| since her father was a powerful ruler,
the daughter was everywhere &C
claimed as a princess Her visit was
a triumph; her portrait was painted;
people crowded around her in admira-
ton, and her romantic story was on
every tongue.
Happy over her reception, yet eager
to return to her own people, Pocahon-
tas prepared for the trip back to
America. She was aboard the ship,
| lying at Gravesend, when an unfor-
seen calamity occurred. Smallpox, an
enemy which rarely spared Indian vic
| tins, attacked her. Everything pos
| sible was done in the hope of saving
| the young princess" but nothing
| availed. She was only twenty-five
| when she succumbed to the Sceurge,
| leaving her husband and their son tc
mourn her.
While Pocahontas is perhaps the
most romantically famous Indian girl
in history, there have been other res
cues by other Indian maidens. That
of McKrimmon by the Seminole Milly
is also well-known, and has happier
ending.
In December of 1917, McKrimmon,
an American, was captured by the In
dians and taken to Mikasuki, Hills
Hadjo's town. This famous chief had
been on the British side in the War
of 1912, and was still a foe 10 the
Americans. He ordained that the cap
tive be burned to death like any other
enemy.
The American, his head shaved, was
bound to a stake, and wood was piled
around him, ready for the "burnt-offer-
ing" Then began hideous dance.
rIy,,~ oil al cd
their captive, uttering cries of con-
tempt, and of joy at his capture.
We are not told how the American
stood the ordeal. However, our ma
tional pride in our countrymen, as well
as Milly's intercession, speak well for
him, for if he had begged for mercy.
no doubt the Seminole maiden would
| have steeled her heart against him.
Just as the fatal spark approached
| the wood, the young and lovely daugh-
| ter of Hills Hadjo rushed to her IA
Their. At his feet, she begged for the
life Of the captive, but the chief was
stern and denied her request. Finally
she treatened to die with him unless
! he were liberated. Not until he was
convinced that his daughter meant
what she said, did the chief order the
captive unbound Although McKrim-
mons life was safe, he was not free,
however. The Seminoles held him as
a prisoner until he was bought by
| some Spaniards for seven and half
gallons of rum, and these Owners"
released him.
Shortly after these events, the chief
/ was captured by Americans and
hanged. His wife and daughters,
among whom was Milly, surren-
| dered. The Americans paid marked
attention to the brave and beautiful
| young Indian girl, and McKrimmon of
fered to marry her. After a long
courtship, in which McKrimmon finally
persuaded her that he had not made
the offer from gratitude, but from
love, they were married. and so, as
the fairy-tales say, they lived happily
| ever after.
&c. 1882. Western Newspaper Union.)