West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-03-05

four of bis staff outside the fort and
killed them all i'm a hand to-ahnd
light. A few days after he and
his followers surprised and killed
Major Dade and one hundred aud
ten OF bis troops. FIr Two years
he held at bay ten times as many
men as he had followers, and he
killed more win ties than there we're
Indians IN his tribe. Gen. Jessup
then invited him TO conference
under flag of truce. lie came
without suspicion and Was imme.
disteiy seIzed and sent to Fort
MOlltrie. This closed the second
Seminole war. and for while there
was peace. A miserable remnant
of this proud and warlike tribe still
inha5its the Everglades. At inter.
Walls the Indians composing it visit
the neighboring towns TO barter
their deer and otter skins. and
then steal quickly away to ii err
coverts.
As nearly all the tropical fruits.
rs well as those of the temperate
zones. can be grown in Florida,
I he claim of the people that the
Garden of Eden was located there
is very plausible one. Rev. John
McGonigle, who made such an elo-
quent speech in welcoming our AS
ISOLATION to st. Augustine, declared
that, while they didn't have the
papers to show for it, they believed
that this first garden was located
right there.
Fiorldi is great State for bi
cycles. as the country is so level
and has such fine roads and beauti
full walks and drives around all the
popular winner resorts. We saw
thousands of people riding the bike,
irrespective of age, sex, color or
previous condition of servitude,
according to the Constitution. AT
Daytonn, a beautiful little city on
the Halifax river, near Ormond,
with a population of 1,4e0 they
have five hundred bicycles.
Orange is the national color Of
the State and the alligator rs its
emblem, and is undoubtedly the
principal crop, since the big freeze
of February, 1895. Many of our
party bought them. either alive or
stuffed, to bring home with them.
wanted live one, but as they
can't stand cold, | would have to
keep it i'll the house IN the winter
time, and perhaps take it to bed
with me during the coolest weather,
compromised on dead one.
stuffed md mounted, and now the
women folks won't let ne keep this
one in the house for Fear it will
come to life when spring comes.
One young lady from Kansas had
one about foot long in cigpr box.
taking it home with her. She had
it nnder her seat, and Que evening
it got out and started to climb up
her pants leg. There WIS a yell
that would have done the heart of
Osceola good, and frightened fe-
male climbing upon the seat, kick
ing wildly. The alligator was
probably scared as badly as the
girl, and started out down under
the car seats on tonr of investiga-
ton, creating 4 panic among the
other ladies', who also mounted
their seats and called for the men
to head the runaway gator off.
This was accomplished after con
siderable trouble, and be was again
boxed up and tied up securely. The
alligator is worth lots of money to
the State, as large mum bers of them
are sold for curios to visitors, and
their hides tanned and nicely dress
ed and on sale in many of the
stores. Also scarf pins and cuff
buttons are made from the teeth in
large Numbers. They make very
handsome cuff buttons, and a great
many we're purchased by our party.
One wag from this State who pro.
cured several pair, wanted to know
If he would have to take them to a
dentist for repair, instead of a
jeweer.
Changing the subject little, we
have been wondering what became
of Oklahoma Bill? lie came down
to Florida with the western con.
tingent, but came up to Washing.
ton with the eastern delegation.
The last we saw of him was sitting
in the gallery OF the Senate Cham
Der listening TO the debate on the
silver bill. Coming mp from Jack
sonville he had trouble to get 10
Gated in our train, as all the lower
berths were occupied and be
couldn't get into an upper one.
and even if he could, no one would
risk sleeping under him, as he
weighed $40 pounds avoirdupois,
so | took HIM in my section and gave
him the lower berth, while | climbed
above. Tnls made me solid with
Bill for life. lie got his baggage
mixed up with lady Of our parry
from this State. 1--WE won't tell her
name.) Or rather she got hold of
( his satchel, thinking it was hers.
and took charge Of It, even putting