The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-13
WHO THE SEMlNOlES ARE,


Indians. made UP chiefly OF Two bands OF
creeks who withdrew from the main
body IN y7so and lsss, and OF remnants
ot tribes partly civilized by the span
iards, some Mickasuckses, ana negroes.
They became known as = distinct nation
under King Payne. The word Semano.e
IS Creek word signifying runawass.
During the revolution they were under
English influence. and very hostile The
Spaniar6s, on recovering Florida made .
treaty with the Seminoies At Pensacola
in May. l7S4 The Creeks still claimed
them as a part OF their nation in the
treaty with the United States IN 1870. Ths
Seminoies Gisavowed this claim and be-
gan hcstilities against the Americans IN
17os, which they renewed in the war OF
1872. although under Spanish rule They
were divided into seven tribes. and were
rich in cattle, horses and slaves. The
war was very destructive TO them Their
king. Payne. was killed in battle at Ala
Qua in isia. ana his brother. Bowlegs, died
soon after.
In 1877 the Creeks surprised the settle
ments on the Saltillo and cut on Lieut.
Scott and forty persons on the Appaia-
chicoIa, In revenge for the destruction OF
some Of their forts. Gen Gaines finally
took the field against them. Gen. Jack
son. at the head OF \ large force. invaded
Florida and destroyed several towns af-
ter hard fighting. The purchase OF Flor
ida the next year made them subject 10
the United States
In 1872 they numbered ASS. with 500
negroes. in villages from st. Augustine TO
the Appalaehicola. but roaming the whole
country. By the treaty Of Fort Moul-
trie, in 1893. the Seminoles gave up all
their territory but small portion. for
$500 In goods and q twenty years an
nuity OF $500: but as some OF the head
chiefs refused to join, small reserves
were allowed them and their followers
by an additional article. January 2. 1saA
They also agreed to arrest, hunt, and de-
liver fugitive slaves. The enforcement
of this agreement led to great trouble
and the settlers clamored for the remov-
al Of the Indiana.
A treaty was finally made by which
the Seminolss agreed that II certain COM
missionsrs were satisfied as to the coun-
try west OF the Mississippi and the dis
position Of the Creeks to receive them,
the treaty was to be binding and they
were TO give UP all their lands In Flori-
da for sl5,o 900 and 5000 for fifteen years.
but 5000 was to be retained for slaves
not surrendered. The Ssminoles were
induced to sign this document. declaring
themselves satisfied Gen. Thompson.
when sent as agent. nnaing the chiefs op-
posed to immigration. undertook to de-
pose Ave and put Osecola In irons. The
Seminoles then prepared for war and
the result was that 1t cost the United
States s1o.o0o.o00 and 1.46S lives. Tho
Seminoles were 90 hard pressed that in
1887 they asked for peace and agreed to
emlgrate. In 1899 1900 had been removed
TO Indian territory. In 1855 their num-
bers swelled to ass.
On the outbreak Of the civil war tho
tribe was divided. The Confederate
States made a treaty with them in 1861.
guaranteeing their lands. assuming the
obligations Of thu United States. and
agreeing to indemnify them for slaves
taken from them by Gen. Gaines. Those
who adhered to the government suffered
heavy loss In the battle Of December Is,
1861. and the survivors retired to Kansas.
In 1855 q treaty was made with thu
northern and southern bands by which
their old reservation was ceded to the
government at Is cents an acre, and
new reservation purchased for them Of
the Creeks at 50 cents an acre. They
then numbered 1885, including negroes.
They are steady. sober and industrious,
and rank in progress next to the Chero-
KEGS. Creeks and Choctaws. Under the
receive $4,000 as an annuity. $3.50 for
schools. and ST. 900 toward the support OF
the tribal government. There are still
some Seminoles IN Mexico and about 200
in the Everglades Of Florida