Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / Aug. 18, 1942, edition 1 / Page 24
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Raleigh's Expedition Visits Williamston Group Travels Up Roanoke Looking For Gold In 1585 Led by Ralph Lane, Party Was Attacked and Re turned to Island While interest in Sir Walter Raleigh's expeditions is centered around the Lost Colony, jit is ap parent that the early explorers wandered great distances from the Island. Official records tell of an adventure by Ralph Lane and a party from the Island j up the Roanoke River in 1885. In Halyut's Voyages, embraced in Porchase's history, an account says Lane traveled 120 miles from the Island up the Roanoke in search of gold, that he was attacked by Indians and after a stay of one night the party took to their boats and made a hurried retreat to Roanoke Is land. In 1866 another historian, ap parently basing his story on the accoun|t referred to, wrote the fol lowing; During the stay of Lane, Mona tenon, chief of the Chowanokes, awed by the presence of a race so superior as the English, and anx ious to be rid of such neighbors, began to plot against them. He cunningly observed the pas sions of the English; and finding that the great object of all their researches was gold, he framed ingenious stories, calculated to confirm them in their delusive hopes concerning the proximity BIG LOAD You get a food Idea at what's back of Just one boat load of food from this story that Triple-A Chief Fred S. Wallace likes to tell. "A ship sailed for Ireland the other day," he begins. "It was Just an average cargo ship. It carried dried and evaporated milk, cheese, dried eggs, canned and cured pork, lard, flour and canned vege tables. "In that ship was the pro duction of these foods for one whole year from 3AM aver age American farms . . of the southern seas, and the great abundance of the precious metals. A tale, romantic and smacking of eastern fancy, was invented in relation to the Maratock, now Roanoke River; a stream which, i it was alleged, arose far towards the setting sun, its fountain source gushing from a huge rock so near to the great ocean that the waters of the spring were often embit- ' tered with the salt spray of the 1 sea. The banks of the river, ac cording to this account, were peo pled with rich and princely races, skilled in the arts of procuring and refining the metals in which their: country abounded, and living in walled cities which glittered "with < barbaric pearl and gold." Lane and his friends believed these incredible stories; and, tak ing with them a supply of provi- ' sions, attempted to ascend the dif ficult current of the Roanoke. Imagine an exploring expedi Labor Shortage Likely To Be More Serious Next Year Martin County fanners, after all is said and done, have so far done an able job in maintaining production in the face of dwindl ing manpower ot\ the farm. But, according to Secretary of Agri culture Claude R. Wickard the problem of farm labor and man power in other lines of endeavor will be more difficult next year than this, although hardships have been faced in some areas this year. "By next year," Mr. Wickard continued, "farm machinery may be even more difficult to get than it is now and we will need more men, and so will war factories. Then, we'll have to make good use of every lesson we iearn this year." Pointing out that labor prob lems are different in different areas, Mr. Wickard expressed the belief that, despite difficulties at some points, "most farmers can get by this year. In many sections plenty of help still is available. Average figures for the whole country show that there is enough farm labor to go around." If insufficient first-class farm hands are to be found, the Secre tary advised turning to other sources of help, such as fanners who have small farms and can spare some extra time, farm-bred boys who work in country towns and can give some time, older men who haven't been active lately but can still get a lot of jobs done, farm women and girls, high school and college boys, white collar workers willing to assist in farm work on their vacations, and women in land army organiza tions. The Secretary also suggested higher wages might be necessary in areas where they remain low both as a means of getting more farm workers and to make for a sounder agriculture in the long run. tion, in open boats, rowing up the Roanoke, in search of the Paci fic Ocean! The river is formed by the junction of the Dan and Staunton, opposite to the town of Clarks ville, in the county of Mecklen burg, Va.; no veins of gold or sil ver are washed by its brief and overflowing current; and even now no cities adorn its banks. But that which is better than gold has been found in its wide alluvial earths; and where the eager gold hunter once roamed in search of that idol whose presence makes desolate its native home, vast fields of luxuriant com now wave in the summer breeze, and educa tion, refinement and hospitality, ease, peace, and plenty shed their genial blessings among a rural and agricultural race of freemen.' The historian of this now rich j and happy region is tempted to pause for a moment and moralize "WOd" Blood Chicago? Recently a stalwart gentleman stomped into the Donor Center of the Chicago chapter of the American Rod Cross. "I'm a third cousin of Buff alo Bill, and I've got wild blood in my veins," he said. "I want to give some of it to the forces." His wish was granted. an the vanity of human wishes, the short-sightedness of man's ambition. A fertile soil was the last object of desire with the first explorers of Roanoke River; and yet how different would have been the state of things had tha precious metals abounded the margin of this streaml The face of nature, no./ and smiling with exuberant har vests, would have been scarred, and pitted ,and blackened with chasms .and fissures ,and decay ing tenements; vice and wretch edness, avarice and desolation, pomp and beggary, would have dwelt in those borders where a universal abundance is joined with a charity and contentment as broad and general. Lane and his men, sharing tha infatuation of all the first pilgrims to these shores, perserved in their vain pursuit of gold; nor did they return until hunger compelled them to eat the last dog that bore them company. How far they as cended in this singular adventure cannot now be certainly known it is probable, however, that this exploring expedition to the south ern seas did not, after great fa tigue and hardships, get highae than the present site of Williem ston, in Martin County. HARDWARE for the Plumber, the Carpenter, the Electrician, the Farmer, the Painter and the Contractor Ill hardware items have a nation al refutation and guaranteed to he just as recommended and sold I VU' are conveniently located to the Mil liamston Tohacco Market. Sell Here and make onr store vonr headquarters. Whether building or remodeling, don't forget to speci fy BENJAMIN MOORE'S PAINT. There is none bet ter for either interior or exterior painting. Stork amply large to supply your every need. As to prices, we will guarantee them to be in line with all competition. Come to head quarters for genuine hardware. Williamston Hardware COMPANY : : WILLIAMSTON, N. C. GEORGE HARRIS, Proprietor.
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
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Aug. 18, 1942, edition 1
24
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