The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-10-20
steady, closed s!eady.
Historical Coincidence.
Sketch of Mohegan Tribe Of
Indians.

Editor of The Watchman l. Sou.hron
Dear Sir On June .21st there ap-
peared ia the New London Morning
Telegraph an article from the pan of au
historical student Of your county, Mr..
Mcdonald Furman. entitled "The
Local Indian Tribes" The article was
cco6oed to the Mohegau and Pequot
Iodian tribes of New London County
Through remarkable coincidence there
appeared on the same page three
column aotice entitled Welcome to the
Mohican," which described the open
ing Of Mr. Frank A. Munsey's (of
Muusey Magazine Fame) palatial
hotel. erected aud furnished at cost
Of $500. 900. The hotel is constructed
Ere proof on the same plan as the
Waldorf, and will be open throughout
the year.
From time to time newspaper articles
copied from the South Carolina papers
aud written by Mr.. Furman have
attracted 10Y affection, chiefly those
pertaining to Indiauology. and it occur
red to me that few additional words
couceruiog the remnant of the famous
Mobegan tribe of Indians might be
interesting to your readers.
Historians inform US that the Mohe-
gaos Of Connecticut and the Mohicaus
of New York were one aud the same
nation. That the Mohicans originally
inhabited lands in the Adirondaoka and
viclui.y Of the Hudson. and when
driven from their possessions by con-
queriug tribes. portion Of their num-
Der migrated to the Connecticut river
previous to the settlement Of Hartford.
Later they pushed their way to the
sea coast of eastern Connecticut.
Origin.lly the Mohegaps we're cousins
Of the Delawares, spoke the same must
cal tongue. and both we're the of
spring of their fathers the Mobicans-
The pane Mohican has been i'm
mortalized by Cooper in his celebrated
Indian romance, "The Last of the
Mobicaos. So extensively was the
book known. that, for many years,
tourists to Lake George more often call
ed that lake the "Horican - The hero
of the romance was named Uncas. after
the celebrated Mohegan chief Of that
name who swayed the tribe in Con-
nectious from about 1910, 1858
Lands were sequestered to the tribe
10 1854. 10 the survey of 1875 the
tribal lands contained 5000 acres. The
final division aud distribution Of the
lands took place to the members cf
the tribe 10 1861. At,the present time
only few Indians live on their farms.
At the 250th Anniversary Of New
Loodon May 9th, 1896. company of
the Mohegaus appeared in the parade
apd over them the banner. "The last
of sbe Mobegans y Among this band
Mr.. Elipbalet Fielding. II years of age
attracted much notice Mr Fielding
is FIVE eighths Indian and both himself
ADD family have the typical lodian
features and form
During recent years it has bee0 the
custom to hold an annual festival AID
fair at the Mobegan Wigwam" aud
the 37h annual was celebrated the 9Th
and 9th of the presen: month. In
addition to baskets. wooden spoons AID
faocy articles made for sale by the 10.
diaus. the apeieDt aud renowned dish
of saccotash is served. Yokeag is also
for sale aud eaten with cream is very
paatable dish. Yokeag was originally
the chief article Of food for the North
American Indians aud is made by