Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-21

ceola, Tallahassee. Cohedgo, Coacoochee.
Micanopy and Amathla-are treasured
and preserved through the lakes, streams,
and villages of Florida. OF the descend
ants Of these famous warriors but lltue
can be said, the greater number or lheh
and their friends were deported TO mo
Indian Territory, and even there they are
lost sight Of OsceOla the greatest Ro-
man of ALL" lies buried near Charleston.
A number Of the present tribe claim ms
name and relationship. but ] was unable
10 verify their right to II, nor could
learn that any Of Osceoa's blood courses
In their veins. His children, VINO were
with him when he was a prisoner az orr
Moultrie, were also deported to the IN
dian Territory, and every trace OF them
has vanished from that time TO the pres
ent. The Florida Seminole yet dreams
with unWayering faith of the time when
| this beautiful land will be his again. ana
the glory Of the past redeemed If not III
| this world, in the next, beyond the big
| Sleep"
The braves are vain. naughty. and sus-
picious of strangers, and any famlliarlty
| is resented. They are courteous anu
| friendly TO q certain extent TO lhose
! showing kindness, 50 long as the Taul-
| tons habits, and customs or their people
are not interfered with. Any approach
|
or Christianizing them is met with cold
indifference The tribe has no head chief
at present. In accordance with the old
| est customs the Office was elective. The
| death OF the last elective chiet-WaNo-
micco-waS tragical. In the month OF
| February, 1891. a maroon (halt-breed-ne-
| gro blood crazed with whiskey and Jeal-
| ousy. ran amuck with a Winchester. Ills
maroon wife was the first victim, follow
nj. 80 nFn
| Tiger. a former noted warrior in the
| earlier DAYS. and his son. in a hand-to-
| hand fight without weapons were killed.
| The next victim was the murdereTs own
| sister and her two children. All were
! pierced 10 the heart With knife. The
! frenZied man was finally quoted Win d
| we'll directed ball from a rifle.
! The Seminole laws are enforced cruelty
and effectively, and there are but Few
| violations The object OF the laws are
| first. the preservation or the ancient Gus
| toms. habits. and social life or the IN
! dams. and there has been no repeal OF
| change in these laws for the last thret
! hundred Years. Honesty, industry, and
truthfulness are strictly enforced by Sc
we're punishment, such as cropping
the ears. accommodation from
| tha tribe, etc. Kind and considerable treat
| ment OF women. wives. and children /:
| enforced. Ii violations OF this law arc
persisted in. after repeated warnings tbs
| wffe a very valuable and scarce article
In this community, is given TO another
The elders who rule this community Otter
| choose TO exercise their authority by
mider punishments. one impetuous you'll
absented himself for some time, ac
curing the rudments Of an education
a most heinous violation OF the law BE
ing unable 10 force the offender TO re-
tract and return 10 his tribe, they forbi,
bis attentions TO one of the most beauti
full maidens of the Seminoles. with whom
he was in love. This was too much fo
the aspiring Seminole, and he returne,
penitent. apparently, at least, TO his tribe
and claimed his reward.
The social and home life OF the Seminole
Indian is most interesting. His smpl,
and deep demonstrations Of grief Owe
the loss Of his children claim our deepes
sympathies. The family relations amonl