Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-10-13

aboriginal boulder quarries known, and
their most important implement shops
yet observed on the Atlantic slope"
Rose Hill Quarry, too. three-quarters
of mile east of Tennallytown, was
another center of Indian industry.
Soapstone Valley, near Yuma street
and Audubon Terrace, not far from
Connecticut avenue, is another relic
of Indian days that has become part
of the city's park system. There the
red men quarried soapstone, which
was utilized for household utensils.
Down along the waters of Rock Greek,
in the park Of that name, are found
further evidences of the Indians in
dustry and skill.
When Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, Sd,
Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. the
grandson of President U. S. Grant
was in charge of the local parks a few
years ago he appointed special COM
mittee, headed by DR.. John C. Mar
RAM, president of the Carnegie Insti-
tuition, to inquire into the outstanding
features in Washington's parks. This
enterprise has stimulated interest in
the Indians and other points of at
traction here.
About the only Indian name that
has persisted to this day in common
usage here is Anacostia. And, apart
from the work Of the archeologist and
anthropologist, there is little evidence
that some 300 years ago, along the
banks Of the Anacostia and Potomac
Rivers within the District, thrived nu-
merous Indian villages. 1t is said that
the eminence on which the Capitol
now stands was used by the Indians
for their council fires. The devas-
tating hand of Time has obliterated
their villages, for they were built but
of wood and bark and wattles, and in
the scrap heaps of the proud Indians
the savants of today must dig, In an
effort to reconstruct their life for the
benefit Of science.
Although the English are given
credit for being the first Europeans to
explore this region, there is evidence
that the Spaniards were here half a
century or more before them. The
Spanish navigators sailed Chesapeake
Bay and named it the Bahita de Santa
Maria-St. Marys Bay. The Potomac
River was called by them the Rio de
Espiritu Santo-Holy Ghost River.
Apparently the Spaniards gave some
thought to establishing colony at
Axacan, which is believed to be Oc-
coquan, Va. Occoquan is translated
as meaning the hook (bendD Of a
river"
A BOUT 1870 bend of Jesuit mis-
sionaries came to this section to
Christianize the Indians. Earlier
Spaniards had taken captive the
young brother of an Indian chief,
brought him to Spain and educated
him in the ways of the white man.
He was named for Don Luis de
Valasco, viceroy of Mexico, who took
q great interest in him.
The Indian-born Don Luis agreed
to lead the Spanish padres to the
homeland Of his sires. Father John
Baptist Segura and Father Quirros
were in charge. the former a native
OF Toledo, in Spain, who had been q
missionary in Florida. They found
famine conditions existing among the
Indians of this area and John Culinary
Shea. the eminent Indian scholar, who
left his extensive library to George
town University, suggests that the
Spanish padres had set up their mis-
sion on the banks Of the Rappahan-
mock River. Other authorities believe
it was at Occoquan. Father Michael
]. Kenny, an American Jesuit who has
just completed book on the subject,
advocates that excavations be made
at occoquan, at the site Of the Indian
village there.
After some months spent in this
region the Spaniards were slain by
the Indians, Don Luis leading the ma
tives against them. Only q boy
named Alphonsus escaped and went
to Havana, where he told the story.
Don Pedro Menendez, founder Of
st. Augustine, Fla, set out to avenge
the Staying Of his fellow countrymen.
The guilty Indians were pointed out
and history relates that he hanged
them to the yard-arm Of his vessel.
The next record of white men in
these parts comes from the redoubta-
BILE Capt. John Smith. An interest
ing fellow, indeed, was Capt. Smith.
Born In Lincolnshire, England, In
1880. he went first to seek his for
tune with the French Army. Then
he offered his services to the insur-
gents of the low countries. For a
time he served with a pirate and
later was with the Archduke of Aus
tria. He fought the Turks, was cap
tured and sold q Q slave, but made
his escape. y
In 1906 Capt. Smith set out to
found Virginia. Every schoolboy