The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-26
Solution Of Virginia
 Dare Mystery Claimed
Two Historians Announce Their Conclusions on An- cient Historical Event; Old Stone Markers Proof

These messages spelled in Archaic, Elizabethan English such as was | current at the tme the colonists dis appeared. They believed, however, that further research would be ne- cessary to establish their authentic 1 ity beyond doubt.
 John White and l21 other colon- ists established themselves on Ro- anoke Island in what is now North Carolina on July 22, 1887. He had a daughter, Eleanor, whose husband was Dare. Their daughter was born at Ronoake on August 18, 1887, and was named Virginia for the vast section of coast wilderness which had been named for Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. A short time later, White returned to England for sup- plies. He didn't go back until 1890. The colony was deserted and the only trace found of the 122 he had left year before, was one word carved on tree. That word was "Croatan," which presumbaly refer- red to the Indian tribe of that name. Nothing more was ever heard of the colonists and of the baby, Virginia.
 The historians found the grave stones $50 miles south of Ronoake Island. There was another stone near them and on 1t was message from Eleanor Dare to her father.
 It said that she and six survivors, presumably including Virginia, were continuing southward with four ''Liemen" "Jbelieved to be the Eliza bethean word for Liegemen or Vas- sals, and thought to refer to the friendly Croatan Indians.
 The Pearces started their inquiry in 1887 after discovery of a large piece of carved quartz on whcih was a message from Mrs. Dare to her father telling of the virtual destruc- tion of the colony by Indians. This stone was found on the banks of the Showan river in North Carolina, 50 miles south of Roanoke Island. Several weeks ago a granite slab, signed by Mrs. Dare and giving the names of IT colonists killed by the Indians was found in South Caro- lima. The survivors, the stone said, were continuing south. The grave stones indicated that they had final ly established a graveyard and a camp or stockade on hilltop over- looking the Saluda river, near Greenville.
 "The stones bear dates of 1889, 1890, and 1591," the younger Pearce said. "In 1891, IT of the remaining colonists were massacred by the h. dians, the seven survivors departing further southwestward."
 Each of the stones noted that those buried there were "murthered bye salvage" and one of them said that with "Moche labour wee putt certan names heyr."
 The younger Pierce said attempts had been made to find skeletons near the Greenville stones, but that it was believed they had disin- | tegrated in the damp ground. He said 48 of the victims buried there were listed by name, with an in- scription that 16 others also had been slain.
 If the authenticity of these stones is established" the Pearces said in a statement, some commonly &C., cepted facts In American history must be discarded. Englishmen were first in South Carolina as early as 1889 instead of much later ,as has been previously believed"
 Geologists who have examined the stones and experts in Eliza bethan English who translated the inscriptions agreed that the stones apparently were authentic.