The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-02
Southern Semlnoles of To-day.

TT SeminOles now number only about
Loo perhaps somewhat less though dur
ing tho last few years a large increase
among them has been noted by others and
reported by themselves. As time has adj
yanced and organizations making rapid
strides along the coast. the Seminole has
scented danger 10 all he loved most; and
as the hahitations Of the white man come
nearer, ne has retrcated before the adj
vancing foe. going further IN toward the
interior Of the State. until now he IN
habits the central portion Of the Ever
glades. visiting white settlements at rarer
intervals. AMI keeping his where
ahouts and numbers diligently concealed
from his paler brothers
Only during the past five years has any
attempt been made. ether Dy cnuich,
State or General Government. TO better
their condition or 90 look after them IN
amy manner though individual phllah-
thropists have time and again manifest
"a an interest IN the Indians WelIaie
Within this time some euOrt mas been
made 10 get their education and social
training well under way.
No government reservation mas eVe'
been set aside for the ScmlnOles IN lIori-
da. but the Governor OF the state. IN lSa-,
aupointod three commissioners TO select
5000 acres OF State lands Tor thelF
homes. The General Government mas sent
an agent among them, DR.. J. +. Brecht,
,of Fort Myers, and the Womans Ma
fiOnal Indian Association mas selecteA
Mrs Brecht tho doctor VIE, as us
representative among the Indians Inc
Womau's Association began its work
through Mrs. Brecrt before The Govern
mcnt appointed her husband, the Govern
mcnt making its appointment through me
efforts OF the association ne a9so'I'
ton bought some land for station, ana
ne Covernreut In time bought OF the
association, the two WORKING dIoHs mar
I'M he mean time the Episcopal church,
through the Bishop OF the Southern 40
NJ - N
Indians. He appointed resident MISSION
AIRY. so that now the church. the Govern
ment and the humane society are All
united in an effort 10 educate the SEMI
Efforts are being made to teach the In
dams useful homely arts, and In this the
agents are succeeding. The women use
sewing machines. and they are beginning
10 learn the use OF cOnFehtiOnAi COOKING
utensils and table ware, as well as mousse
hold furniture, while the men learn the
use Of farm tools, carpenters tools, &c.
But they oppose all efforts 10 teach theil
English or 10 instruct them IN me Iudl-
ments of learning or Of the Christian re-
ligiOn. -.
IL is only recently that photographers
have been able TO secure pictures or the
Seminole. When the first man was ap-
preached and told what was wanted ne
said. ME shoot white man he take pic
ture." But gradually the prejudice 10
diving away and some OF them are anN-
.Ous 20 be photographed, especially me
younger bucks. who. perhaps. like 10 show
OF their courage in facing so deviiish an
apparatus.
Many queer experiences are related that
have qnade US better acquainted with the
Indian and his attitude. lie has great
dislike TO being considered a meddler or
as interfering M any way. and when the
Western Union stretched its wire across
the great alhatti Swamp 10 connect with
the Nassau cable the line ran through a
village. The chilf immediately moved,
because, as he said, "Pickaninny shoot
down bottle" from the poles. and he
meddling with the white mans talking
debllment."
Thev consider that they hold the Ever
gades by right and by treaty, and the
various movements through tnat section
lOokina, TO it's reclamation arouse anxiety
ard bitter feeling.-Fl0rida Citizen.