Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-11
THE sEurSoLEs or FLORIDA.
Aboriginal Inhabitants of Tint state
Now Few In Number.


The Seminolcs now number only about
] 80, perhaps somewhat less. though du-
ring the last few years a large increase
among them has been noted by others and
reported by themselves As time has adj
vancol. and civilization making rapid
strides along the coast. the Seminole has
scented danger % all be loved most. apd
az the habltations Of the white man come
nearer. ne has retrcafcd before the adj
vanclng foe going further in toward tho
interior Of the State. until now ne IN
habits the central portion 81 the Ever
glades. visiting white settlements al fafer
Intervals. and keeping his whereabouts
and numbers diligently concealed from his
paler brothers.
only during the past five years has any
attempt been made. either By Church,
state or General Government 70 better
their condition. or look sitter them Ina any
manner though individual philsnthfopists
have time and again manifested an IN
terest In the Indians welfare Nithin
this time some EFFORT has been maze 10
yet their education and social training
well under way.
No government reservation has ever
been set aside for the SeminOles in fiofi-
da. but the Governor OF the state, ii
1892. appointed three commissioners 20 Sc
ct 1900 acres OF State lands Tor th'lr
homes. The General Government has sent
an agent among them. Dr. }. T.. Brecht,
Of Fort Myers. and the WOmans Nauonai
Indian Association has selected Mrs.
prechf the Doctors vile. as is reprefen-
tatlye among the Indians. The No-
mans Association BEGAN is work through
Mrs. Brecht before the government "p-
rofnted her husband. the government
making rs appointment through the CT
forts OF the association. The assOelation
bought some land for station, ana TIE
government I'm time bought OF the assoc
cation. the two working along bar
mOniously.
Ia the mean time. the Episcopal Church,
through the Bishop Of the southern
Diocese. ". G. Gray, began work among
the Indians he appointed ffrlh'nt
missionary, 70 that nov the 'hnfcn. tne
government and the humane society -
All united in an EFFORT 10 e'ne'is ln7
Seminole. o.,
raorts are being made 20 teach the In
dlans reful. homely arts. and in th'
the agents are succeeding The women
use sewing machines. and they are begin
Ming 10 learn the use ~ conventional
cooking utensils and tableware, - wen
a. household furniture. while the men
learn the use o. farm tools, eafpnntri+
tools. etc. But they oppose All efforts 40
teach them English or % instruct mem
In the rudlmeufs " learning Or Or NO
Christian religion.
The original Of the word Seminole ~
seminole" meaning "rlraWay.' Or
renegade" and given 10 this tribe as a
renegade or runaway faction. which sDht
on from me original tribes ~ cresks ana
q A n H...H nj
came 20 FLORIDA a. an early date.
whether IL was the "ssmlnOlece" o. some
Of the originals first found here. history
does not say when c0rtcz came -
Mexico. among his followers vas priest,
Father Olmed0. Tnis father Games 70
Florida. and upon biz return 10 Mexico,
DO 1919 b. wrote q graphic ard interest
INK account ~ ihe c0Drer-c0igred race 10
found there. which Impressed bin fayer-
ably. and who were called Olives, pro-
u0uncei O-lfe-vays This maruferigt
Journal g. jet in The possession Or ni2h-
ly-cornected family that ~ - Vale.
living in the city ~ Mexico. a number
OF the Seminole or Olives were carried
70 that country b. the band " CoFttz.
"a "a ethnoi0gisfs claim that they were tho
progentOrs Of the Mexican indian u 10
day
n f. only recently that photographers
have been able ~ secure pictures u ths
first Indian. when the Drsf man WIS
approached ard tod what vas wanted,
Nc said. '3ie shoot white man be take
picture"
But gradually ne prejudice D. dying
away anl some n ffem arr really arx-
ioug 20 D. photographed efpeciaiiy fhs
younger bucks. Who gerhaps Ike 20
show oN their courage IN facing 70 deyli-
I'm an apparatus.
Many queer experiences are related tb4s
have made ue better acquainted Nth tho
Indian and his attitude. lie tas great
dislike % being consderei a nnef1l Sor
as interfering in any way and when The
western Union stretched So wire across
The great alpafti eYamDj - connect with
ne Nassau cable. the line GA fnrggra
a village The chief Immediately moved.
Decause. a. h. sad:
'Pickanluny shoot down bottle" from
the poles. AMI fe dreaded The cons~-
guence. even n childish NEEDING with
he white mans taking debilment"
They consider thar they hold the Ever
sisdes b right and by treaty and the
various movements through that section
Ooking - - ultimate reclamation aros1s
anxiety and bitter feeling.