Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-29
The Last Of the seminoles.

Gently dispatched an emisary TO Florida
To INQUIRE into the condition oithe Sem
mole Indians in that State, with view
10 the initiation of measures looking to
their civilization. Lieut.. Pratt, the
agent referred to, has made an interest
ing report to the department. lie was
accompanied from Washington by the
CHEYENNE Indian Tck-ke-mat-se OF the
Smithsonian Institution as taNIdermlst.
From st. Augustine he proceeded to
Fort Meade, Polk County, and thence
10 the nearest settlement OF the Semi
noles, about thirty miles oil. The re-
port shows bare remnant OF the great
Seminole nation, which, in the fast
neSseS OF the everglades OF Florida,
kept the whole power OF the Uulted
States at bav from 1885 to 1910, and
again renewed the struggle in 1857, and
after desperate series OF encounters
finally succumbed. The total popu-
lation of the SemlnOles who still remain
i'm Florida, Lieut.. Pratt saws, is less than
three hundred, the last vestage OF the
most powerful and warlike OF the abo-
riginal nations OF this continent. Their
desperate exploits, under the leadership
of the Seminole chieitain, Billy BOwlegs
their strategy and deeds OF herOism-
for wears were more than match for
such Generals as Jackson and Scott,
backed by all the resources and power
Of the United States.
The Indians in Florida are divided
into four villages. One, governed by
Chipco, very old man, claiming to be
one hundred years OF age, is situated
along the lake about Fort Clinch. The
second villege, under Chief Tuscunugga,
lies ON the western border of Lake Oke-
chobee. The third village, governed by
Old Tigertail, is scattered along the Dor
ders of the Big Cypress Swamp. The
fourth, ruled by young Tigcrtail Is called
Miami and is situated on the Atlantic
Coas.. Lieut.. Pratt spent some days
al CuipcO's village, which stood IN hne
forest i'm the vicinity Of clear lakes IN
which black bass and other food fish
abOunded.
The buildings were substantial, show
eel skill in construction, and were fully
as comfortable as those of the whites.
The Indians possessed Orange-trees,
fields of corn, Sugar-Cane and rice, and
were situated in the midst of a dense
hammock, reached by crooked path
way. and practically inaccessible except
10 those familiar 10 forest paths. The
lands were cultivated by men and wo-
men. who used hoes instead of ploughs
nthe rich, alluyial soil. Chipco himself
assisted his squaw in planting sweet po-
tatoes and melons. The Indians also
possessed chickens, hogs, ponies and
cattle in small numbers The men wore
a hrecch-clout, calico shirt and shaw
of bright colors, wrapped around their
heads like turbans, and on state Occa-
sions wore mOccasins and legglngS. The
women wore short jackets and
skirts of calico with bead ornaments.
Lieut. Pratt told ChipcO that he had
come to see what they wanted. But the
old chief was skeptical, and replied that
he did not want to hear ANY Washing
ton talk" He declared that he wanted
no education for his people, and no
ploughS. In short, he emphatlcally de
sired 10 be let alone. He refused to at
tend the proposed conference ut Fort
MYERS, which, in fact, turned out a com
plrte failure. Some OF the Big Cypress
swamp Indians were present, but they
preserved a naughty and distant attl-
Jude; declined 10 shake hands, and were
also positive in their objection TO any
Washington talk. They refused the
the presents of food and TO.
bacco which Lieut.. Pratt rendered
them, saving proudly that they
could buy what they wanted. The pro.
grrss made by these Indians in five years
VAS very marked. They live in com
Portable houses and raise cattle; their re
venues from sales OF buCkSkin, peltS
hogs. cattle and produce amounting tC
NJ 900 q wear. Whisky Is their mos
formidable enemy. The women are
said To be notably correct in their NOR
ais. The Constitution OF Florida pro
viies for the representation OF the Semi
uoles in both branches OF the LegIsla
ture. but they have invariably declined
to avail themselves of these privileges
I'm 1871 the MethOdiSts tried 70 INTRO
duce civilized WAYS among them, bu
without success. The tribes preferred
their own WAYS, and desired to be le
alone. They live apart from the white
and strenuOuSly oppose removal L
the Indian Territory. 1t is to be hope,
that their moderate requests will be re
garled.
Iirut Pratt recommends that the oil,
| fort barracks at Tampa Bay be made In
to a school building and an educate,
I seminole from the Indian Territory b.
sent there as 4 teacher. There is Ger
tainlv room enough in Florida at pres
emit for both whites and Indians, and tn
expatriation Of the latter cannot b
necessary. The United States Govern
ment has sinned enough against the In
dams. and it is not surprising that tn
latter are distruStiul of Washington
/ talk