Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-01-22
NEA-MATH-LA!
lFor Tho sunday Gnnettel

Near Wewokn In the Seminole nation,
lives a very interesting Old Seminole
lady She is Mrs Jackson, the wife
of n prominent half-breed Indian, who Is
now a member Of the Seminole national
council Mrs jackson is the only sur
viving daughter of the famous Indian
chieftain, Nea-math-la, who, with Chief
Osceola, led the Seminoles in one Of the
longest most vexatious and costly In
dian wars noted in history.
She has been living at her present
home for more than fifty years. AL
though a full-blood Indian she seldom
speaks the Seminole language. preferring
10 use English instead. with which she
Is moderately fluent. She Is not overly
laxative TO strangers, but she isn't long
IN forming ones acquaintance, aud then
you will find her possessed Of none of
the reticent characteristics peculiar to
many OF her race With remarkable
memory aud a peculiar Indian eloquencc,
she will enteriuin you for hours IN her
quaint way with stories Of her early
life. and customs and traditions of her
people before they We're called civilized.
During the session of the Seminole
council last fall, this old Indian lady
told me- with fearful eyes. Of the hard
ships and suiferings Of her people during
their resistance and war with the whites.
just subsequent to their removal TO their
present homes. aud Of her venerable
fathers capture. imprisonment and death.
After General Jessup had reduced the
Seminoles-Or thought lac had reduced
then-in 1876 a general amnesty was
proclaimed with a view to negotiate with
then for emigration to their new reser-
walton la the West Many Of them, in
Guiding Osceola, had surrendered aud
were now trying to induce others of the
reluctant members of the tribe TO lay
down their arms and peacRbly go with
them The Indians were permitted and
invited to approach the camp of the sol
dioFs and to interningle with the white
population. They ranged nt large, I'M
armed. among the troops and in the coun-
try around. Those who were still hostile
in their feelings were encouraged To up-
proach with the more friendly in the
hope of persuadug them 10 comply with
the treaty stipulutiOns which had been
violated in the recent uprising.
Among those who had given up to Inn
migrate were WelnkH. now Mrs. Jackson
aud a younger sister named Wetumka
They were beautiful and were idols Of
Nea-math-a's heart. He was not the man
to surrender nor 10 comply with the
terms of the treaty made by q part of his
people. For many years at the head of
his nation; great Ia council, great In war;
indomtable In spirit, and knowing and
compromising the injuries of his race,
without being able TO appreciate the ren-
sons or views Of the white man. he was
animated by all those sentiments which
are most admired In all true patriots the
world over. He had aroused his people
to arms they had fought and been con-
quered; Nea-mathla now heard in his
hiding place that his daughters had been
persuaded To emigratc He resolved at
once that those so near and dear to him
should not be thus violently aud cruelty
severed from him and their native coun-
try. while he was 10 remain TO die alone
with 10 one 10 close his eyes and wall
over his grave.
Laying aside the emblems of his chief
tainship and Disgusting himself in the
garb Of the most common Indian. ne
mounted q pony ami rode into the camp
where the Semiuoles were roamingatlarge
In search of his daughters. When he had
finally found them he said:
MY children. il has giieved me TO
hear that you have consented 10 go and
leave your father 10 die alone"
Our father Eltows,' said the eldest
girl of about Is years, that the pale
faces are here, and that the blood Of our
people has run into the rivers. Nor did
we know until low that that the blood
of our fathers had not gone with the
water 10 the great sea TO make il red
w nat, rather, can we dOG'
The blushing burning cheekof the maiden
told the deep sympathy she felt for her
race, and the more tender anxiety for a
iather whose resolves she we'll knew
could not bc broken hy her pntraitias
My child, said Nea-math-ln. standing
erect and fixing his piercing eyes upon
her' wmle the younger sister sat mute
ana aDashed-"my child. win Won. tbcn
go nnd leave me 10 die alonef"
40, father answered the yielding and
uGtltul Prl' throwing herself at his tc,t.
NO father, echoed the younger sis,
yer, casting her eyes in the same direo-
both together. 'N
4. Nonder y my pony" said the old chief.
mount with me and / will soon boar
you away "p''
In a few moments Nea-math.lo. with
one OF his daughters before ana tba
DINER behind him ON the same beast v"s
10 DE seen vending his way ont az the
vhcailllnehI Although, Disguised ms
ms person was, his wel-known f,co
could not be concealed, notvithstundiny
marks OF recent sorrow and exrosuro
had greatly changed II.
None are more treacherous To e,cb
other than the Indians when once tbsi.
hearts are gained or bought over by
another party. ~
w." "'"tN ." was recognized. and n
runner was soon on his wnv ia onrn,,,,,,,,
ia, fact to General Jessun TIM me- rIJ
eniel had just been seen bearing away
his two daughters "'"'
Great endeayors had been node 20
hhu ana bring over Mammalian INT l.,
VAIN, IL was known too thnt the natia,'
would be reluctant 10 cmigrate wLiIn ba
was behind, his influence boipg nnbound
co. Orders were immediately issued i,v
the general 10 have the an ~, 80" ~
arrested and brought back '''o"i
With no power 20 resist. Neo.uoti,lo
was forced 20 yigld-to- the rude osSa,,l,,
OF MS own people, and is was soon or,
hounced % General lessup thar tLc oid
chiet ana his two daughters had -
captured. DESTROYS of mixing an ~
receive impression of his power. ne VIII
az OF q friendly disposition. the een"Tai
U Ti'. tht most pomnous military dis.
P,"S uiat eould ne made, erected 4 sort
or mllltry court. took "A seat ~ ~
head OF IL and ordered Nea-math-o ir rrn
his presence. ." in'o
Erect' unmoyed apparently NOT notio.
lis rle peat 81 the drum and the jgns
oil power with which he ,vos ~
rouhded-the venerable cbieftoin
Suhrge OF military escort. wall,aI 6.,i,-
mo The presence of his Judge ana fnn
mlm without turning bis eyes 10 any otbor
ttas q. ougeet Ills department wos
that OF one who felt that his iud,. NHs
ON trial aud he was there No. coil 81 was
account The chief waited moi
questioner. 'ouft We
Is this the chief of the poIo sao.. %,
9ulu ne, addressing himself tn Ga,'a
''SSsuP through an interpreter.
NJ Jessup. not little onno,od
self M tpi is'. Ius ~ which he found him.