Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 160, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1914 — NEVER FORGAVE THEIR ENEMIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NEVER FORGAVE THEIR ENEMIES

MANY people in the Northern States are unaware that Ithere dwells in the fastnesses of the Florida Everglades one of the most Interesting and picturesque bands of American aborigines in the United States, known as the. Seminole Indians, who are now as separate and distinct from the white race as when Columbus first held mass on the shores of Cuba. These are the remnants of the onetime mighty nation of Seminoles, who defied t|ie United States government for more than half a century and persistently refused colonization. While the numerous wars and forced emigrations have reduced their numbers to a few hundred, their mode of living, dispositions and customs are in many respects the same as when the haughty De Soto sailed into Tampa Bay In 1539. The Seminoles live to themselves, avoiding contact with the white race as much as possible, and seldom, if ever, taking whites into their confidence, and on account of the almost inaccessible nature of the country In which they live, little is known of their Intimate home life. Unlike the Indians of the West, they have persistently refused any assistance from the government, saying in response to offers for their support, “We only wish to be let alone.” ' Memories Are Good.

They have no written language, yet they are familiar with the traditions and history of the tribe. The events of the seven years’ war are still vivid in their campfire memories, and the little pappooses are taught from infancy to avoid any semblance of intimacy With the race, who, through the violation of the most sacred rule of warfare, "the flag of truce,” captured and imprisoned for life their matchless warrior chieftain, Osceola, and his brave staff. The tribe are taught that the whites are lacking in honor, or, in the Seminole language bolowagus (no good). The present Florida Indians are the descendants of that invincible tribe who were never completely conquered. In the year 1859 there were said to be only 112 Semlnoles left In Florida, but during the long period of peace with the white race their numbers have increased, until there are now between 500 and 600. These are divided into four bands, the Mlamis, the Okeechobees, the Tallahassees and the Big Cypress. These bands have not been governed by any "great chief' for about ten years, as was formerly their custom, but each band has it leader, whose duty is to preside at councils for administration of the unwritten laws of the Seminole tribe that from time Immemorial have been handed down from generation to generation. Many of the Seminole braves are types of physical excellence. Their native dress consists of a tunic of various bright gaudy colors, with which buckskin leggins and moccasins are sometimes worn.

The squaws wear a long, full skirt, which effectually hides their bare feet, with a long-sleeved waist. They are very well behaved, modest and shy, and It Is considered Improper for as much as their feet or ankles to be exposed to view, although their waist and skirts do not meet by 6 or 8 Inches, this discrepancy being only partly covered by a shawl-llke attachment or collar to, the waist. Their dress Is even gayer colored and more gaudy than that of the men, having wide stripes of ped, yellow, blue jjfid white encircling both the waist and skirt, with great, strips of bright colored beads around the neck, making an appearance that would do credit to a masquerade or fancy dress affair. They show no desire to copy the styles of their pale-faced sisters.

The Semlnoles are kind to their families, fond of and devoted to their children, are pure in morals and honest among themselves and with the whites. They do most of their trading in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In these places are certain stores which they make headquarters for all purchases and sale of their furs and other products. They are very suspicious of the motives and designs of white men, and the few who are able to speak and understand English have been taught by their chiefs "Estahadkee, Kolowagus lexeeojus” (white man no good; Ue too much).

And ft Is very reluctantly that they give information as to the location of their camps, hunting grounds or home life. ■■■*. It is believed by many white people that the Seminoles have some secret remedy which is a sure cure for the bite of a rattlesnake. Tom Tigerdeer being asked one day, “What does an Indian do when bitten by a « rattlesnake?” promptly replied with a twinkle in his headlike eyes, “He take a big sleep.** Good Traders. They are. said to be good traders, having their price on each article and persistently refusing to sell for less than their original price. Sofka, the principal diet of the Seminoles, is prepared by the squaws. It consists of meats and vegetables boiled together in a large kettle, and thickened with grits or corn meal. It is usually eaten by the family and visitors from the kettle in which it is cooked with a single large wooden spoon, each taking his or her turn, a single spoonful often being passed from one to another and supplying two or three with a mouthful. Year by year we see the Seminole crowded further and further back into the Everglades. The government has dug great canals from Lake Okeechobee to the coast draining this section of the Everglades, and the Indians have been compelled to move on toward the big cypress swamps, and ft appears that even the almost impenetrable Everglades, the original and rightful homes of <the Seminoles, are gradually passing from their possession. Soon the legends will be all that will be left of this most picturesque of all the tribes of American Indians.

SEMINOLES of TODAY