The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-28
MCDONALD OF WARE
Hunting Creeks and Seminoles Over
Fifty Years Ago.
From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.

-SS Oo4 AsOs
From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.
One of the most notable figures in the
present general assembly is the next oldest
member, MIR. Mcdonald Of Ware.
He is now over ~ years of age. but still
hale and hearty. This is the tenth time ne
has filed a seat in the legislature. His first
term was in 1928, in the old capital at
Milledgevil!e.
He was a member of the secession conven-
ton, and cast his vote with Tom Cobb.
Barrow, Nisbet and n majority of that
famous body for immediate secession.
He was afterwapd a me Der # the con-
stltutiOnal convention of 1877, and took an
active part IN framing the present constitu-
ton of Georgia.
Apart from a most interesting and hon
orable legislative career, Mr.. Mcdonald is
veteran of two wars. For four or five
years he hunted Greeks and Seminoles
through the swamps of South Georgia, aud
then, when the bugleS called in 1861, lie left
the secession convention to lead company
from Ware. A short while af erward,
when the Thirteenth Georgia (afterward the
Twenty-sixth) regiment was reorganize6 in
Savannah, Mr.. Mcdonald was made lieu
tenant colonel. Ills last fighting was in the
final struggle before Richmond.
He is,as he stated in his memorable speech
of last Friday, the father of twenty-five
children, fifty-two grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren
Now he is the representative from his old
county, Ware, and one of the most active
workers in the legislature.
HUNTING THE INDIANS.
The old gentleman, then but boy in his
goth year, carried from Ware county to
Milledgeville toe news of the Creek-Semi-
mole outbreak in 1886, and then carried back
from Gov. Mcdonald the orders to organize
and put into service the militia companies
of his own and the neighboring counties.
The Seminole war, it i'll be remembered,
had broken out in Florida in 1885. The
Creeks, broken in Alabama, made their
way through Southwest Georgia to join the
Seminoles in Florida. Considerable bodies
of both nations infested the border swamps,
and taking advantage of the scattered and
unprotected settlers, killed many and de-
Stroyed their homes.
There were," says Mr.. Mcdonald, ''some
seven or eight companies formed in addition
to the two companies OF United States
regulars. There were Capt. D.. j. Miller
Capt. w. B. North, Capt. James A. Sweat
Capt. n. J. Holton of Appling, Capt. Clark,
and Others whose names are still prominent
i'll that section of Georgia. A number of
block houses" and posts were established
around Okefinokee swamp, and garrison
stationed at each. Many of these sites are
still marked by small settlements, such
as Fort Gilmer, Camp Pinckney,
Cox's Hammock, Fort Bennett, named
after a young man who was killed there
by the Indians; Fort Floyd named after
Gen. Floyd, the commander of all the vol
unteer troops; Traders Hill, where all our
military stores were kept; Fort Nudge,
built by Maj. LOOMS; Fort Norton, named
after another young man killed by the In
dams. Another fort was named after
Lieut.. Walker. That is about four miles in
the swamp on n sort of island still known
as Billy's Old Field, after friendly Indian
that had lived there for years. 1t was
built by Gen. Floyd after the circle of posts
was completed. He started through t o
swamp, going from Fort Walker almost
due east to Race Pond. He had $50 men
with hiui-the first white men that ever
traversed that portion Of the swamp. The
men travelled niue more slowly than they
had expected, and were almost starved be-
fore they reached Race Pond.
"Floyd's island, eight or ten miles long,
dry. white, sandy, hammock island, COW
cred with pines, was named after the leader
of that expedition. 1t had never been
known to white people before.
HOW INDIANS FIGHT.
''In all that march the boys never osce
saw an Indian. They saw Indian trails
occasionally, but the trails were always
lost in some pond ofTwater. The way they
do is to agree before going into the lake
where they will meet again, seven or eight
miles away possibly, and then when they
come out of the water, each Indian goes
separate way and it is impossible to follow
the trail of oHe man.
"They knew always exactly where we
were, and the main body of them kept on
the opposite side of the swamp, venturing
out from there occasionally to murder and
l. ,,.rh, 20
watch and mislead u.s."
chow many Indians were there in the
swamp
"About forty or fifty warriors-prob-
ably $50 in all. We could tell by count
ing the tracks as they came out Of the
water
at seems that they would all be killed
out in little while"
''No, the Indians wouldn't fight. They
kept away from the soldiers, even where
they outnumbered us. They never risk be-
ing killed if they can helpit. Their,plan is to
Turk and massacre. They are as cunning
as foxes. Frequently wagon teams were
attacked, the teamsters killed, the mules
shot down, and the wagons burned after
the Indians had taken all they wanted.
But to show you how carefully they
fought: A man named Wilds lived on
plantation near the swamp, and refused to
leave home when the neighbors went of to
the towns. He lived about three miles
from Kettle creek. One day he and his wife
left home to look for some cattle. His wife
was one of those hardy, brave women who
could stand as much and shoot a rife as
we'll as he could. They went about four
miles and then returned home. The In
dams followed them home. They went to
sleep never once dreaming that the Indians
were near.
Next morning, at faint daylight, Wilds
stepped out through his front door, aud
was shot dead His wife ran out and was
shot down. The indians had been hidden
behind fences and trees, but now that the
old man and old woman were dead, they
rushed to ard the house. The children-of
whom there were eight, ian for the woods.
The Indians killed two children at the
house. Another child was a daughter, a
young wife. She had young baby in her
arms when she ran from the house. The
Indians caught her and stabbed her to
death with their scalping knives. The
baby was killed IN the same way.
WHITE INDIAN.
''Four boys got away. One of themswas
named Reuben. As he ran into the woods
three or four Indians saw him. One Indian
ran ahead of the others, and finally caught
up with the boys.
Run, you little rascal said the Indian,
in plain English. Run for your life.'
"Reuben says the Indian trotted on
behind him for some distance, and then