"America discovered"

Long before those of you that read about who discovered America, there were many others. Even before the fifteenth and sixteenth century’s, maybe even before that.  From Maine to Florida, ships have dropped their anchors in harbors, on the eastern coast.  

Viking Boats came from lands in the north and east, Some had came ashore not knowing it was a new land, thinking it was just an extension of their own land.  Most of them never knew that the land was occupied by the Native Indians. It wasn’t until the white man started to build villages that they came together.  Most Indians lived farther inland where the weather was more moderate and game was more plentiful. 

The first whites to get acquainted with the Indians, passed along the sicknesses and diseases that cause the entire Indian tribe to die off. Not just once, but many times over. 

From the North, men from France, had invaded the America’s. from Canada, into what is now known as Minnesota and Michigan, Like Paul Bunion and his Ox  “Babe”. They would harvest the timber that was used for almost everything.

Most of the time, these settlements on the east coast would not last or would be destroyed by warring Indian tribes. Some of the white men that built a village would celebrate by holding a banquet and invite the Indian to set and eat with them. Then they would open a cask of rum for the Indian to drink from. And when the Indian wanted more, the white man wouldn’t give it to them, so the Indian killed all the whites, Yes, there were many who died long before The America’s were officially discovered. 

So you can see that the credit should not have been given to Erickson or Columbus. The Spanish discovered America from across the Gulf of Mexico.  And Ponce De-Leon, ran his ship aground someplace in the south while trying to go up a river. 

But no matter where the white men had landed, The Indian was always found to have been there first.  America is being discovered every day by you, that live here. If you have traveled anywhere in this country, you were discovering America. 

Which takes me back to the story I wanted to tell you about. 

Up in the Northeast corner of this nation, white men had build a village on the coast.  It wasn’t a large village, maybe four hundred people with  children. Sailors and fishermen, lived there, a place where tall ships could anchor and be safe from bad weather. 

Most of these villages have, five or six places where beer and whisky can be had. This village also had a church and a Constable to keep law and order. 

Longer than anyone can remember, an old Indian by the name of Fred had lived here. He was tall, for an Indian, mostly bowed legs, his nose was large with a hump on it. His eyes were always squinting and there always appeared to be a grin or smile on his face, It was thought that he was a half wit and never had a full deck to play with. He loved to play games with little children and was never thought of as being dangerous to any one.   

Fred would sleep most of the day, and at night he would go around behind all the saloons  and drain all the empty bottles of beer and whisky, to get every last drop. Once in a while, Fred would stagger into a bar, but someone would turn him around, and with a little push, start him out the door. At times he would get caught on the edge of a door and someone would have to move him a little one way or the other, so he could make it out the door. Fred was elected as the town Mayor, for five terms. in the last ten years.

He never spoke much to anyone.  Fred, had very large feet, they looked as if they were on the wrong legs. Like the left was on the right and the right was on the left. 

This was one of the first things about him, that one would notice. He appeared to be very happy in his own small world. 

One day, a ship from England dropped anchor in the harbor and a Lady of some Royalty was brought ashore in a long boat. Old Fred bowed before her and kissed her hand. Old Fred was at her side all the time she was there. When her ship sailed from the harbor, old Fred was on board. Can’t you just see Old Fred in those fancy laced cloths with a hankie in his sleeve? 

Those that had been to England and had seen Fred, said he had a new bottle every day and went every where with the Lady, as he was a footman on the ladies coach.  

So, As it is said, in the land across the sea. An Indian by the name of Fred discovered England.   Fred, when are you coming home ? The kids all miss you!

By: Ben R, ☺

Mar. 10, 2013