Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-03-09
Misttllan&Ous.
The Seminole War,


A letter from Key West to the Charles
ton Courier announces that Col Rector,
Indian Agent for Florida, had succeeded
in inducing some sixty of the Seminoles
to assemble at Fort Myers on the 18th
February, to embark for New Orleans, for
Arkansas. They will be accompanied by
the friendly Indians from Arkansas, num-
bering twenty. The correspondent adds
Colonel Re5tors Interpreter, Sampson,
came passenger in the Magnolia. He was
formerly owned by Colonel Cad Huns
phrey, Of st. Augustine. During the Semi
mole wars he was four times prisoner
among the Indians, and there learned
their language. He was considered of so
great value that the United States govern
ment purchased him from Col. Humphrey,
and held him as On interpreter for some
years. His freedom was given him not
long since, and he now declares his inten,
tion Of becoming citizen of this place.
He gives us n short account Of journey
into the Indian country, made with Cap
tain Mcneil and two OF the Arkansas dele
cation, Sampson being the interpreter for
the party in all their talks with the Semi.
noles Captain Mcneil was ordered by
I Col. Rector to proceed as far south as the
Kissimmi river, and if possible have a
talk with the Tallahassee tribe. The par
ty consisted of Captain Mcneil, a wagner,
| Kotsachee, n nephew of White Cloud,
both friendly Indians, and Sampson, the
interpreter. Tney left Tampico soon ai-
ter Christmas, and were a week in reach
ing Buffalo Ford, on the Peace Creek, q
station near the hunting grounds OF the
Tallahassees. Near the ford they came
upon an extensive field planted with po-
tatoes corn and pumpkins. The ground
bore marks of recent tillage, and the par
ty were notified that Indians were in the
neighborhood. So they attached white
flag and an Indian frock to a pole, and
raised it ia q conspicuous part OF the field,
whom they left Immediately for their camp
across the ford.
The next day the friendly Indians went
to the field and found the frock gone
| THE frock was added to the flag to assure
the tribe that friendly Indians were with
the whites.) In the place OF the froct
they left several plugs Of tobacco and
some pipes, and to inform them that in
three DAYS they would return, they tied
to the tobacco three short sticks. Potsuck-
err and White Cloud Is nephew lepta bright
lookuot in the vicinity OF the field, and on
the second day were rcjoiccd to hear the
report Of q gun, and soon after whoop,
which latter hey returned with interest,
making the woods ring. young Indian
came rapidly up and conducted the two
Seminoles to the Sub-ClHef OF tho Ialla-
hassees, who is called the Ranging Deer.
They found him on the bank of the creek
under the shade ola cypress, accompanied
by three stout warriors, well armed with
rifles and double barrelled guns, and com
fortably clad. The talk was short-Rang'
I ing Deer and his tribe would never leave
their native land. He would, however,
meet CAPTAIN Mcneil, and listen to what
he had to say.
The following day was appointed for
their appearance. The friendly Indians
were suspicious that treachery was intend
ed and they proposed to Captain Men ell
to 90 back to Tampa, suggesting that
Ranging Deer and his Chief, Crazy Tiger,
were deceiving them, and would probably
attack them if they remained any longer
in their territory. So Captain Mcneil
gave orders to return, and crossing Buffalo
Ford they encamped for the night, intend
ing TO leave at break of day for the settle
ment. But soon after who should come
up to the opposite bank of the stream but
Ranging Deer himself, Unattended and
ready to treat with the Captain. White
Clouds nephew and the wagner with
mules were sent back to bring IN the three
warriors, that they might be witnesses to
the arrangements of their Chief They
were found and brought into camp that
night. and the next morning, at an early
hour. the palaver commenced Captain
Mcneil told them plainly That they would
not be allowed to remain unmoIested 10y
The whites. that quarrels betwcen the set
tiers would be frequent, and that soon
omen warfare would occur, and th6y would
be exterminated; but if they would e.ai-
crate he was authorized by the President
Of the United States to offer to tyery war
rior'fve hundred dollars in cash, a rifle, q
complete hunting outfit, clothing and pro-
visions to last them one year; and Ia
every woman and child one hundred dol
Iors would be given, besides provision and
clothing for a year.
Hanging Deer said that if his Chief
Crazy Tiger, his sister and his brother-in,
law would consent to emigrate, he would
also agree TO 90, and in twenty-five days
would be at Fort Myers with the whole
5 tribe of which he was chief. Capt. Mcneil
i, furnished him with n passport to use
should he meet any of the whites while
collecting his band, and then the party
separated. Sampson returned to Col Rec
, tor. and there learned that efforts to trea'
with Billy Bowlegs' old boat party were
} successful. ana that the emigratiug party
: would probably number sixty souls, They
;; were to meet at Fort Myers, and iron
thence proceed to Point Arrassas' an(
take passage in the Magnolia for New Or
leans. in charge of Col. Rector. No hope
arc entertained of getting Tiger Tall1
marty out of the territory this season.