The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-23
A Salt Lake Man Tells of His
Travels.
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS.
WHY THE TRIBES LEFT THEIR
FORMER HOMES.
Various Nations Fouud in the Terri
tory-The Civilization, Education,
Home Life, Customs and Habits of
The Red lIen--Their Government.


Territory. one Of the prettiest countries
on earth.
The Seninoles, the smallest of these
progressive American Indian tribes,
occupy small strip of land west and
north of the other four and southeast
of Oklahoma, rich, fertile, timbered
country right. in the heart of the In
dian Territory. The Seminoles at one
time were mostly Creeks and few
were known as Mickasukies. The year
1850. about the time they were separ-
ated from their mother tribe, they
were occupying what is now Georgia
and Alabama. Trouble among the
chiefs and heads Of the tribes resulted
in Seacoffee, a leading chief, leading
away many, moving southwark, and
settling in the central part of Florida
peninsula; frcm this circumstance the
name of Seminole was given them
meaning 'runaways." In 1908 they
were Joined by another branch OF the
Creeks under Niece Hodjo, and an
encounter with the remaining few
h1iekaSukies brought about an amalga-
lnation, good move for the protection
of the tribes against the common foe,
the white man. While the FloridaS
were held by England and Spain, the
Indians enjoyed perfect freedom.
This peaceable condition was reversed,
however. when this land was ceded to
the United States on July IL, 1921
Because of encroachment on the
choicest of the land. the Indians re-
sorted to arms and killed some of the
whites, which resulted in their removal
10 the southern part of the peninsula.
The Seminoles and Mickasukies,
called F'lorida's numbered at this time
1888, over 1,500 of whom were men.
Their slaves numbered about 800 over
two-thirds of which were women and
children Stipulations of an agreement
with the government previous to their
removal, were to the effect, that the
latter was to furnish the Indians with
food the first year until they could
raise a crop. Their crops falling them,
they became dissatisfied. White set
tiers followed them up, but not content,
this time with the choicest lands, de-
coyed from them many Of their slaves
The same old story was repeated.
Again the whites succeeded in melting
the red man to deeds of violence.
causing provocation to again ask the
government to remove them, this time
across the Mississippi river. An agree
mem was entered into by which seven
chiefs were 10 visit their prospective
new country and ascertain whether or
not the conditions were suitable for
~
met them at Fort Gibson, Ind, and
by some means obtained their sigma
lures agreeing to remove their people.
It must have been a misunderstanding
on the part of the chiefs, for on their
return they reported to the contrary
The governments determination to
carry out the treaty, resulted in a
long and bitter war; lasting between
five and six years, and costing the
q nc e III.
many lives on both sides. Emigration
and loss of life reduced the remaining
tribe to about 400 souls, and moving
continued until 1S43, about seven years.
when 2,764 Indians and negro sIa-es
had been lodged in the indian Ter
ritory, some settling with their former
tribe, the Creeks. who had previously
emigrated to that country. The ma
Jority Of the Seminoles finally settled
where Oklahoma now is. They re-
manned here until after the war of the
rebellion, when their tract of land was
sold 70 the United States government
in exchange for their present territory
and large sum of money. This TER
ritory obtained from the Creeks and
Semlnoles. over one and half million
acres OF land, was held for the settle
ment Of friendly tribes, but not being
used UP TO 1889. it was thrown omen
for white settlement
In 1890 the Seminoles-numberin .
600 Indians and 500 negroes. bv this
time. citizens of the Seminole territory
BESIDES the Indians and negroes. there
are some white people as renters who
live up with the Indians.
The government of the Seminoles
consists of chief or governor. second
chlet or acknowledgements and 2
council, or legislature. This body of
men, comprised mostly Of fun bloods.
are elected for a term of four wears
and meet regularly once a wear and
are subject, of course, to a. cali from
the chief Besides making the laws
OF their nation. they sit as a il,r,- ann
adjust matters of litigation or other
difficulties arising between them. Their
power. however, is limited to their
own people. Whites and negro e,,h-
jects OF their land are governed nv
them. unless a. difficulty arising he
tween an Indian and an adopted CIT
azen or renter In such civil cases. tlne
courts set apart for the accommodation
Of the civilized tribes at Muskogie 7
T., ADJUST these affairs, while all Grim
mai cases are taken to Fort Smith
ARK Indians have a horror OF any
thing like Fort Smith, which generaliv
results in their learning a trade al
Detroit. Mich
SCHOOLS.
The schools are of a very good grade
ali Indian children being taught in
English. Many of The young can
speak readily IN the English language
as well as their own tongue Old neo-
pie make no Roadway in that direction
preferr1ng- their own language. Finar-
cially they are well off. owning ac tho,
90 their land in common, a rich fer
Tile country. and funds arising from
money received from the United States
remaining in the treasury drawjns- an
interest annually Those funds
an school and executive expenses. civ
ing Tree government and schools to All
its citizens az
The governor and treasurer and q
few sharp men have the peoples conn
try and money pretty well in their own
hands.
INDIAN HOMES.
These consist of small log bo,,so,
built Of rough oak logs and generajl1
are hewn, chinked with wood and
daubed with mud. Two doors genera lIS-
answer Tor light and enterance and
sometimes small opening is left in the
side Of the house for q window. Doors
are hung IN the primatiye STYLE. on
wooden hinges and fastened with
wood latch. lifted on the outside nv q
string. At the gabel end is a chimney
built with sticks and daubed with
mud. The fire place is used for All
purposes In most homes the frvino
pan ana bake skillet are the only cook
ing utensils. The few leading men
nave good residences. built mostly of
THE FARM.
The farm consists principally of fror,
two to ten acres of land, called a patrh
cut out OF the woods. the timber he;ng
used FOR house logs and fence rails. On
these patches they mostly grow corn.
and some cotton, few vegetables.
sweet potafoes and f,,r-r;r,S r,,,(,l,1.I