The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-07-21

sisSs,s = g. q,
s' OF course, shef ilfie q el!sU4i h -!
oeminoles have been allowed to reta;,
anmolested possession of them for =,
1 l1ng. Then, too, these Indians ar
8 tne immediate descendants of Osceol
8 ana those other desperate fighters who
, III ae1ense of their homes wage,
) against the United States the longest
1loodlest and most costly of its man,
Inc Florida Seminole has nrovof
himself worthy of respect and cons;d
eL eia.ion by his bravery as fighter. hi,
absolute independence, his freedon
ION many OF the vices common to Tn.
aiahs' MS industry and his WILLINGNESS
W aooPt civilization if allowed TO do
30 gradually and through imitstion
fhyslcaliy he is one of the finest ex;st'
ing specimens of the North America
red man-tall, straight and olaon
hmbed. Following the dictates ~ ~,
'sole &c custom, rather than those
b9 o9niort' the Seminole wears on his
neaa an immense turban formed of oan
ua.I nttchleIs covering light frame Of
I rattan. With the exception of n
braided scalp lock, which is hidden he.
nea.n THIS turban, all hair ia CLOSELY
Iu' from his head and none appears IN
nis lace. The remainder of his dress
eons,sts t.sSi OF gay red and yellow, beon.
'ly-sewed calico shirt and breach
oio'h. oave on occasions, when tbev
ure covered with buckskin leooinGs
an ano moccasins, his legs and feet
afe pare. he is always armed with tbo
most improved pattern of n riao 10
oesplses shotgun and regards a revni'
yer as toy. He fashions commod;ou.
ana !, most excellent canoes from s;nuiS
he,1 bfe1,S --1zr,-a,---ja-----
whisky whenever he can obtain it.
His principal occupation is hunting,
but in intervals of this he builds his
huts of poles and palmetto thatch,
overhauls his weapons, nets, traps or
canoe, cares for his live stock, prin- !
cipally cattle and hogs, clears land for |
field, assists at starch (coontie) MAX
ing, and does not wholly disdain to
work in the fields, or to amuse his
children; for these he exhibits de-
cided fondness, and he is always as in
dulgenj to them us he is kind to his
women. He sleeps beneath a canopy
of cheese cloth, which protects him
from gnat and other insects, is well
fed, is rarely i'll, and appears thor
oughly contented with his lot, though
oppressed with an ever-presenta anxiety
concerning the encroachments of his
white neighbors.
The Seminole dead are buried, to.
gether with weapons, cooking utensils
and such other things as they may need
in the Seminole hunting grounds to
which they have journeyed; and above
their graves are built solid tombs OF
logs.
| The women of this interesting tribe
are of medium height, plump, cheer
full in disposition, and often good look
ing. Their jet black hair is banged
across the forehead, and twisted in.
to Psyche-knot behind. Their good.
natured faces always suggest sup
pressed mirth, and when they are at
home the forest encampments ring
with their laughter, They dress in q
long sleeved, calico jacket, and full
skirt so long that it conceals their
bare feet About their necks they
wear heavy collars of blue, green and
j white glass beads and across their
thus lndicatIng rne weHItn OF their
skhusbands. These women are very in
dustrious, rarely spend an idle
moment and are consequently happy
They are good cooks and skilled in tn,
, use of the needle. = Some of then
have even attained to the luxury O
sewing machines, of which they ar
, immensely proud, and the mysterie
, of which they quickly comprehend
> They keep them In order by the us
4 of alligator oil, which is unexcelled @
. lubricant for fine machinery.
: The Florida Seminole lives well an
!. is never subject to those periods {
a semi-starvation that are of such fr'
= quent occurrence among his norther
= brethren. For meats he has venisol
. bear, coon, possum, pork, terrapil
= turtles, gophers and sometimes bee
- His larder is well supplied wit
= chickens, wild turkeys, quail, duel
- and many other fowl. In their seasc
9 he procures quantities of turtle egl
= from the sea beaches, and an inc
!. haustible supply of fish is to be hi
ID for the spearing. He raises sve
o potatoes, squashes, melons, bear
corn and sugar canc, and has scatter
groves of guavas, oranges, lemon
!. cocoanuts, pawpaws and various 9th
% fruits. He exchanges plums, aliigat
y hides, deer skins and starch for flor
~ coffee, sugar, tobacco and many O
~ other thing of civilization, but linn
his intercourse with the white to I
VI necessities of trade. avoiding them
W much as possible on all other oc'
ions.
~ An e-dsnary piano contains mHt
wiIe sGAng.