The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-21

Special Correspondence Of the Standard.
Jacksonville, Fla, May 15.--Appea1s
made to the department of the interior
looking to the betterment of the condi-
ton Of the Seminole Indians of Florida
have directed attention to this interest
ing race, and many prominent men,
including the late secretary of the in
terror department Hon. C. N. Bliss, and
Governor Bloxham of Florida, have ex-
some action on the part of the state
and national governments. This inter
est in the welfare of the Seminoles was
caused by the gradual encroachment Of
the whites upon the grounds which the
Indians had been occupying. In some
cases the latter have been driven by
force from islands which they have oc-
cupied for many years, and in but a few
years more they will be homeless AMI
without visible means of support Their
deportation has been entertained and
with the object of providing homes for
them. the government lately sent out
a commission for the purpose of select
ing lands. Much difficulty was found on
account of the gradual disposal of gov
eminent and state property, but the
commission has succeeded in obtain
ing the active cooperation of the Off
Gals of the state and department of the
interior. and it is proposed to set aside
certain lands in the Everglades and on
it's borders.
The Everglades of Florida are insep-
arably connected with the history, past
and present of the Seminole Indians CT
Florida. The surroundings and interior
are unlike any region on this continent,
an immense body of shallow water ave-
raging 1875 miles in length and 60 miles
in breadth, and covered with wav-
ing mass of saw or sedge grass, often
from to 10 feet in height, inaccessible
except at certain points.
On our recent trip into the Seminole
country we toiled for many weary hours
in our Indian canoes through the mar
row paths of this tall sedge grass,
stretching as far as the eye could reach,
striving to reach resting place for the
night. Our guides through the day had
pointed out in the distance a few lone,
towering pines standing like sentnels
in the distance-our goal when we
should reach it-Arpeika island--at one
time the home of the bravest and most
dreaded of the Seminole Indians, and
where a remnant of that tribe still re-
mains.
AS we approached the island men,
women and children. in their pictur-
eSQue HdllNe uTeSS,' were seen moving
quietly about, unconscious or apparent
ly Indifferent to our approach. A rude
boat landing afforded us the only ac-
cess to the island: narrow path from
the landing led to a village enshrouded
with giant, barbaric oaks covered with
tasselated moss. 1t was evening and
the women We're preparing their early
meal, some grinding corn in rude pes 4
tile formed from the bark of cyprus
tree, others attending to the SOFIA
kettle" preparing a peculiar dish of
that name and supposed to be composed
of vegetables and meat. Some were
visiting their neighbors from house to
house and few Of the brave repre-
sentatives of Osceola stood sphinx-like
or lounged on the rude benches. Occa-
sionally returning hunter bearing his
trophy of deer, alligator or plume birds
chanting his monotonous Indian song
created a slight demonstration. One
young brave, who had just taken a
bride, was bringing his material for a
house from another point of the island
to join the community of his mother
in-law, for such is the law of the Semi
noles.
Among all the wards of the govern
ment none possess more interest than
the few remaining Semnoles of Florida
In our history there is no more deplor-
able tragedy than the wars waged
against them. From the landing of De
Leon until the year 1921, for 800 years
under the false guides of the cross of