North Carolina Newspapers

The Progressive Farmer, May 29, 1900. 4 r : 1 - I The Home SLEEP, OH! Oat yonder in the moonshine, wherein God's Acre lies, Go angels walking to and fro, singing their lullabies, ) Their radiant wings are folded, and their eyes are bended low, As they sing among the beds whereon the flowers delight to grow Sleep, oh, sleep ! The Shepherd gnardeth his sheep. Fast speedeth the night away, Soon cometh the glorious day ; .Sleep weary ones, while ye may . Sleep, oh, sleep!" The flowers within God's Acre see that fair and wondrous sight, And hear the angels singing to the sleepers through the night ; And, lo ! throughout the hours of the day those gentle flowers prolong The music of the angels in that tender slumber song : " Sleep, oh, sleep! .The Shepherd loveth His sheep, He that guardeth his flock the best Hath folded them to his loving breast; So sleep ye now, and take your rest Sleep, oh, sleep!" From angel and from fllower the years have learned that soothing song, And with its heavenly music speed the days and nights along ; So through all time, whose flight the Shepherd's vigils glorify, God's Acre slumbereth in the grace of that sweet lullaby 'Sleep, oh, sleep! The Shepherd loveth His sheep.' Fast speedeth the night away, Soon cometh the glorious day : Sleep weary ones, while ye may Sleep, oh, sleep!" THE : CROATAN : INDIANS. fWkile tke House of Representatives had under consideration the Indian appropriation bill a few weeks ago the following speech (which we clip from the Congressional Record) was deliv ered by Congressman Jonn l). liellamv of this new, out most 01 tne omer peopie aim neurit .m "Mr. Chairman, I had the honor some time since of introducing into this House a bill providing for the education and. sup port of the chil dren of the Croatan Indians of North Carolina. On yesterday the Chair man of the Committee on Indian Affairs very courteously accorded to me an opportunity to address the committee upon the subject. Sev eral of the members requested me to reduce my remarks to manuscript and to present them. "Mr. Chairman, the Indians of the United States are peculiarly the wards of the Nation, and very justly they should be so regarded and so dealt with. They were once the proud possessors of our soil, but to the inexorable decree of fate they have succumbed, and the Teutonic race, against which in its progress all less civilized people ha.ve given away and retired, hs pressed them westward, and tiieains and forests of theveastern slope and seaboard of America, once their happy haunts and hunting-grounds, is inhabited no longer by them, except by the rem nants of a few scattered tribes which almost have been, but not entirely, absorbed by contact with the white man and his allies. "The white settlers of America, while they wrested from the aborgi nes the soil on which they dwelt, which, on account of the nomadic habits of the Indian tribes could hardly be said to be possessed by them, have been from the earliest period of our history imbued with a laudable feeling that justice and hu humanity required that the Indians should receive Government consid eration and protection, that they might acquuire fixed abodes, and by civilizing influences they might, in the course of time, become co-sharers in the blessings of a free Govern ment. "The last tribe left lingering on the scene of these once royal do mains is the Croatans or Hatteras In dians, inhabiting the State of North Carolina, about 60 miles from the seaboard, in the counties of Robeson, Scotland, Richmond, and Columbus, anJ there they have been for a pe riod so long that the 'memory of man runneth not to the contrary thereof.' That they have not claimed attention of the National Govern ment before is a matter which ex cites great surprise and is hard to be explained unless the smallness of their number and the lack of educa tion and enlightenment among them, and the want of proper philanthropy among their neighbors, has caused them to be entirely overlooked. And yet the public mind has been direc to them on more than -one occasion when they have shocked the country by some atrocity which is incident to the'Indian character. "There are in the settlement in Robeson county, where they chiefly reside, about 3,000 souls, and with the scattered families in adjoining counties the number may run to 2,000 men, makinj? the tribe about 5,000 people. A number of them have migrated to Georgia, Mississippi and Florida, where they have become ab sorbed in the body iolitic. They are the -01031 interesting people in Amer ica, and no tribe can appeal stronger to the tender sympathies and the Circle. SLEEP. --Eugene Field. State. To some of our readers it contains nothing um juuugw muj " " j generous benificence of the American people, than the Croatan Indians of North Carolina. They, beyond cavil or doubt, are the descendants of the lost colony of Sir Walter Raleigh, about which there have been for over three hundred years so many sad reflections. "Those at all familiar with the at tempts at colonization made by our English ancestors may recall the ef forts of that gallant knight and learned and ambitious favorite of Queen Elizabeth. 4Not only could Sir Walter Raleigh throw his cloak on the wet ground that it might serve as a footcloth for the dainty shoe of Elizabeth, but he sought to extend the domains of her Most Gracious Majesty that her reign might become memorable in the annals of history and her Empire strengthened and enriched. "In the year 1584 Raleigh fitted out a fleet of ships under Amadas and Barlow and discovered the country that is now known as North Carolina, but then called Virginia, in honor of the virgin Queen. Soon thereafter ho began to make efforts to colonize the new Eldorado. Two attempts failed ; but undaunted in 1587, in three ships under John White, whom he appointed governor, he sent over 117 persons, including 17 women, and of the fate of these people nothing is known or has been discovered with absolute certainty from that day to this, unless this is shown by the re marks I shall now make, and which was first attempted by my old friend and preceptor, Hamilton McMillan. These 117 colonists were left on Roa noke Island, near the 'harbor of Hatorask,' and there, on August 18, 1587, the daughter of Governor White, the wife of Ananias Dare, gave birth to a daughter, the first white child born on American soil, and named and baptized, in honor of Her Majesty, Virginia Dare. "The ships, leaving the colony, re turned for the supplies and recruits, but when they reached England the Kingdom was agitated by a a threat ened invasion from Spain. After the Spanish Armada was defeated, and when peace was once more restored Raleigh looked around to provide for the relief of his colony which he had planted in the New World a few years before. But it was not until 1590 that Governor White was dis diepatched to their rescue, and when he reached Roanoke, in August, he found the island deserted ; no trace of a human being could be found, but at the site of. the village where the settlers were left nearly three years before there was found a tree which had been deprived of its bark and bore, in clear and well-cut characters, the word 'Croatan.' "There had been an understanding by White with the colonists before leaving that - if he should remove their location they should carve on a tree the name of the place to which they had gone ; and if they were in danger of sore distress they should carve a cross above the name on the tree. White finding the absence of the cross was buoyed with the hope of their discovery, but after all ef forts to trace them had proved fruit less, he was forced to abandon the search and reluctantly returned to England. "The lost colony was never heard of, and their sad fate is a matter of deep and pathetic interest to the American people. Whether they went to Croatan voluntarily, or whether the men were massacred and the women taken for wives, or whether both men and women inter married with the Hatteras Indians is" only a matter of conjecture. But one fact is known, and that is that Lawsdn in his history df Carolina, written in the year 1714, imparts to us that " 'The Hatteras Indians, who lived on Roanoke Island or much fre quented it, tell us that several of their ancestors were white people and could talk in a book as we do ; the truth of which is confirmed by gray eyes being found frequently among those Indians and no others. They value themselves extremely for their affinity to the English, and are ready to do them "all friendly offices. It is probable that the settlement miscarried for want of timely sup plies from England or through the treachery of the natives, for we may reasonably suppose that the English were forced to combat with them for relief and conversation, and that in process of time they confined themselves to the manners of their Indian relations, and thus we see how apt human nature is to degener ate.' "Long prior to the Revolutionary war there was found settled near Lumber River, in Robeson county, N. C, a tribe of Indians. Many of them had blue eyes, and while pos sessing all other traits and charac teristics of Indians the copper color, the high cheek bone, the erect form yet they lacked the nomadic habit. They were settled in a neighborhood where they still remain, then, as now, cultivating maize and potatoes and fruits. Their traditions then, as now, were that their ancestors, Indian men, married white women ; that they came from Roanoke (in Vir ginia, they say) ; that they were driven away by bad Indians, and, one now about 90 years of age told your speaker that they were driven across the river. Most of them own their own land, which they either bought from the early settlers who, on account of the Indians being al ready in possession, quitclaimed it for a nominal consideration or ob tained it by an entry and grant from the Commonwealth. The names of the 117 lost colonists are still pre served in Hakluyt, Volume III, wherein is given an account of 'The fourth voyage made to Virginia with three ships in the year 4SS7, wherein was transported the second col ony. "From the list of names are many now, and from the earliest times, borne by men of this tribe,, such as John Sampson, Robert Wilkinson, Henry, Berry, Richard Berry, John Burden, Henry Dorrell (Dial), John Cheven, William Berden, and many others. Thus it seems that their blue eyes, the tradition of the white mothers, the, locality from which they came, the lack of the nomadic habit derived from the infusion of English blood, the similarity of names, the tradition of being driven by the bad Indians across the river', doubtless by the warlike and hostile Tuscaroras, who inhabited also the neighboring coast country, prove con clusively to the student of the ques tion that the lost colony of Raleigh has been found. They are a remark able people. It is said by old resi dents that m some of these Indians were volunteers in the Revolution ary war. That they sent two com panies to the war of 1812 is well au thenticated. 'They made gallant soldiers, as a number of our oldest inhabitants can testify. From the earliest times up to the year 1835 they went to school with the whites, voted and shared in the privileges of citizen ship. But in that year the constitu tion of North Carolina was amended and thereafter for a period of thirty years they were deprived, not only of the right to vote, but even of the privileges of education, until the constitution of 1868 was passed, whereby they became restored to citenship and to school privileges of the meager character, but such as other citizens enjoyed. "They were not permitted to at tend the schools for whites and there fore were forced, if they received any education, to attend the negro schools. They refused to a very great degree, on account of the in tense antipathy, they now have for the negro, the education in the ne gro schools until, through the in strumentality of Hamilton McMil lan, Esq., the legislature of North Carolina, in 1887, gave them separate schools of their own. "At the breaking out of hostilities between the North and the South in 1861 those people, grown up in igno rance, but quietly cultiyating their little farms, were rudely awakened; by the Confederate authorities con- " , ... I scripting them and using tnem as laborers to build the immense sand fortification at New Inlet, on the Cape Fear River, known as Fort Fisher the same fortifications so cel ebrated as having been the scene of the greatest naval bombardment of the world's history, , as compared with which an officer who was at Se bastopol said : " 'The siege of Sebastopol as compared- with the siege at Fort Fisher was but child's play.' "The work was hard, the' Croatan murmured; he then deserted' and fled to the swamps of his native heath. The conscripting officers pursued them. Arresting an old Indian, they asked him why he de serted. He told them that he did not want to work or fight for a peopl 3 who treated him so unjustly: that before 1835 he voted, he went to school, but since then he had been deprived of both, and that he would neither work nor fight for the Con federacy. And thus it was they were arrested and deserted. When at the close of the war many of them were in hiding, they committed acts of depredation, for which they were properly outlawed, and then arose the band known as the Henry Berry Lowery gang. For years they be came a terror to the country, and in the early seventies this band of In dians shot down and killed 27 white men from first to lastf among the wealthiest, the bravest, and best men of that country. The leader, Henry Berry Lowery, was finally killed, peae and quiet was again restored, and under the benign influence and rule of our people, inaugurated in the year 1887, they are becoming good citizens. "There is still much ignorance and a strong propensity to violate the internal revenue laws among some few of them, but it is because they know not the sinfulness of the vio lation of law. They from time im memorial have raised fine fruit and grain, and have always distilled brandy and whisky, and, like some other citizens, they feel that it is an unjust interference with the natural rights to prevent them from con verting their waste i)roducts into a salable article. Many of the cases, in our United States courts for manu facturing without license are from among these people. They are and have always been a distinct people. They are true friends, but bitter and implilcable enemies. "They are brave, but reckless. They are honest in their dealings. They are intensely religious. They are restless, active, and energetic. In dolence and sloth are not known among them. They are eager for education. They are capable of in tellectual and moral development, as is attested by some among them. A number have become successful merchants. One of them filled the position of United States Senator from one of our sister Southern States. The descendant of another has become a member of Congress. "Now, these are the people com mended to the kind consideration of the American Congress. Their school facilities are poor. By extending them aid you are giving expression in substantial form to that noble sentiment of justice inherent in our people and which has urged our Gov ernment to make large appropria tions for the education and support of Indian tribes which pass each session of Congress. No tribe is en titled to more at our hands ; and if in the providence of God they be ele vated by a sound moral and mental training inaugurated by the Govern ment, history will yet say that Sir Walter Raleigh did not plant his colony in vain, and there will yet arise some gifted American writer who will perpetuate in song and weave in fiction the history and ca reer of the Croatan Indians, the de scendants of the Indian chief, Manteo, created the first Lord of Roanoke, and of Virginia Dare, the first white child born on American soil." A BAD BARGAIN. The unprofitableness of some of the rush and worry of business life is neatly suggested in the following dialogue, found in one of the papers : "Where is Jones?" "Gone to California." "What for?" "To regain his health." "How did he lose his health?" "Earning the money to go to Cali fornia." . Our Social Chat. EDITED BY ACKT JESNIE, RALEIGH, N. C. AS CONTRIBUTORS to this department of The Progressive "Farmer, we have some of the 1 ne . TJ"7' t o L-0n ,1 nroeressive young ladies rr"'unandrneof the most entertain in sr writers among tne oiaerpwmcw Sher States, the ages of the members ranging tom by ending ana young , - , ,!c, OT - letter on I1U. "'i;".ft.".m-,Ti i ,-.11 -nnmck anil rtTkKT,. WTI PN W KllliS U. Live iuu iioiuv tj ' olS?addres? for Aunt Jennie's information If vou do not wish vour real name to appear in print, give name fey which, you wish to be kTWO WEEKs'oRMORE must, as a rule elapse between the time a letter Is written and the date of its publication. , ADDRESS ah letters to Aunt Jennie, care of The Progressive Farmer, Raleigh, jn. i. AUNT JENNIE'S LETTER. A letter filled with poetic thought is the one written us this week by Alvin Horton. His is a county capable of inspiring such thought and he is to her a true son. - Backwoodsman seems to appre ciate his.minutes. This is the secret of a successful life. Improve the minutes and you will find that each day leaves you in posession of some bit of information, that time would haye otherwise deprived you of. Ah ! how I wish it were possible for me to attend each commencement wherein our circle has a representa tive. What a pleasure it would afford your old Auntie to witness the triumphs of her girls and boys as teachers and pupils crowned with laurels of well earned success. But this is denied me and therefore I trust that after the excitement inci dent to such occasion s you will re member me and write nice interest ing letters for our Chat. I hope for more letters next week. Aunt Jennie. BACKWOODSMAN WHITES. Dear Aunt Jennie : As you have threatened to call the roll again I wTill answer before being called upon. I have been reading and studying a good deal in the last few weeks and mainly along the lines of the selec tions from Edward Bok's book in The Progressive Farmer of April 3. I feel certain that Mr - Bok has been very closely associated with young people judging by the way he writes. His advice is so good. Every young man in our land should read his book and profit thereby, most especially his words in regard to the attitude of young men toward women in general. No young man of good sense can fail to see wherein he is right. I have been denied, the blessed privilege of having either mother or sisters since I can reccollect. I envy every young man his position who has such, for by their treatment many a young man who would otherwise never be anything in this world turns out to be a very respectable citizen. I think our Chat becomes more in teresting with every issue. I do not write often but I enjoy the letters of the others very much. Mrs. J. L. D. in her letter in last week's issue is right along that line. I am glad to note that even in our public schools we are beginning to learn the rudi ments of law. If every nran-and young woman, too would spend a few minutes even each day in some good book or paper, something of interest, how much improvement might be made even in one year. In answer to Loretta's question in regard to celebrating the birth of Christ I would say, and say most emphatically, No, indeed. How long in this Christian country will people celebrate Christ's birth by disobey ing his commands? If every one had seen as much of the bad effects of drinking as I have seen I think all would have become disgusted with it long ago. As I have written more than I intended when I began, I will close with love to Aunt Jennie and all our noble band. Backwoodsman. Rockingham Co., N. C. FROM YANCEY. Dear Aunt Jennie : Pardon me if I appear somewhat foreign in thought to the general expression of the Chat, or if my thoughts seem too blunt for classification among those of more lively Chatterers, t am a lover of the natural world, and every change on the face of a landscape or on the visage of the sky fills my soul with gladness and reverence. May I not then steer my thoughts in channels of devout appreciation? Standing on the threshold of sunny days perfumed with flowers and flavored with delicious fruits, I redden with the hues of joyful spring,and,peering through the haze of healthful months, catch a glimpse of a glorious summer and a beauti ful autumn. Joy is brightening all mat, nes in tne scene before me. Among the bowers luxurious ionage i near . . - ""US Of yi. oiiij, ovjxj.s uxj.cn simple han T-i oca a rpnrnn nTi -frv T-. i the clouded countenance of m Above, in skies brilliant with and kindness roams a gleeful s the great reflector of light to eart' toil, and pours in every nook rays I his glory and delights of his warmth Nature is ever glad and ready abundance ; why, O man, art thou despondent? Among the solitudes of the deepest torest, on plains most remote to the touch of man, or on heights hostil to the approach of habitation dwei in unstinted harmony with the bliss of nature creatures of God's lowest creation. Winds, as they whirl in jolly pranks through clusters 0f wild luxuriance, deliver in sons messages of hope and promise, and even the dumbness of the solitudes responds with grateful sincerity Why is it, O man, that the sun of thy life and the wealth of thy toil cannot glow thy regions with the lustre of the simple life in the woods? Why is it that thy heart "beats not with the fervent joy and the hopeful air of inferior creatures? There is pleasure to soothe every in and hope over every grief; why despair? Again ' tiring in the wear of the present and looking toward the coming for some gleam of light, I realize that the coming and passing of summer's glories form decades upon which one rides to the evening of life. And I feel as I wander through woodlands tinted with the green of a new year, that the brightness of youth fades only to be renewed as the forests, the sky and the birds all renew themselves in splendor and gayety after the poignant blasts of a winter. Why grow moody, and pine after the freshness of days are gone except to memory? Evening comes, but bedewed with the balm of heavens, soon to sparkle in a morning sun. "Weeping may en dure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Alvin Horton. Yancey Co., N. C. CENSUS ENUMERATOR' S QUERIES. 1 - Jr 1 Z TT A Few Questions That Will Be Asked You Early in June. The census takes no account of changes that may occur after fa first day of June. Then if you mar ry on June 2nd, and the enumerator visits you later, you are to say that you are single ; if you should die, you will entered as still living. The population sheet will show the State, county, town, street and num ber of each person, as well as his official position in the family. One of the questions to be asked is, "Who is the head of the house?" and the answer must be forthcoming. Id households where this question has never been finally decided, it should be settled, if possible, before the cen sus taker comes round. The f nil christian name and mid dle initial of each member of the fam ily is to be given, the head of the family standing first, and the others being designated as "wife" (or hus band) , "brother, ' ' 'daughter, ' ' step aunt," etc. After getting your name and place of abode fixed, the enumerator will inquire as to your color. The law makes no provision for his guessing at it, so if you happen to be a dart brunette lady, do not be offended when he asks what color you are. Sex and date of birth are next in inquired into, and age at the last birthday. The age of children under one year is to be given in months. "Are you married?" "Are you widowed or divorced?" "How long have you been married?" "Ho many children have you, and how many are living?" are questions that follow. You will be asked as to your place of birth, that of your parents, what year you migrated to the, United States, how long you have been living in the United States and what steps you kave taken to ward being naturalized. Your occupation must be clearly stated, and the number of months m which you are employed will be asked. The enumerator will then ask whether you attend school, an if so, how many months ; if you ca write, and if you can speak English! whether you own or rent a home, whether the same is a farm, ani whether it is mortgaged or other wise encumbered. Ex. ( Most people dread far more social frown which follows the dom of something conventionally than they do the qualms of conscie which follow the doing of somethi intrinsically wrong. -Herbert 6P' cer. . of green and . i i -i