The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-26
COUNTING THE sEMINoLEs.
Hard Work to Find Them and Get
Them to Talk.

(From the Florida Times Union.)
One Of the most interesting features OF
| the census enumeration in Florida arises
| from the difficulty of securing any reliable
| data concerning the Seminole Indians in
| the southern part of the State OF the
| great tribal nation that once held undis-
puted sway over the peninsula and whose
dominion extended from the impenetrable
| Businesses of the Everglades to the sandy
reaches OF the Perdido and Escambia Bay,
but few scattered remnants now are left.
Their hunting grounds have long since
been covered with The thin veneer OF ciyili-
cation, and the thriving towns and swell
tourist hotels now stand where once the
smoke of the council fires arose beneath
the towering columnar pines.
There are today but three bands of
Seminoles left in the State. In Brevard
County the Cow Creek" band ranges ever
the southern part Of the county, centerins
near Fort Drum, by which name the
tribe is sometimes known. The Miami
band ranges through the eastern part OF
the Everglades in Dade County, between
Fort Lauderdale and Miami and the third
remnant. known as the Big Cypress or
'sChakoliskee'' band, pursues its chosen
way along the western border of the Ever
g!ades from Lake Okechobe to Chakoiiskee
Bay.
So completely have these people been
disintegrated that no tribal relations
whatever now exist between them; they
have no acknowledged chief and they
recognize no mans authority. Little is
known of them or their habits. Reticent,
suspicious. and isolated, they shrink from
observation and 1t is rare indeed that the
few white trappers and hunters who come
into contact with them succeed in secur-
ing their confidence
But the demands of the census are i'm
perative and they are emphasized by the
fact that a. its last session the Legfsla-
ture granted large tracts Of land for the
use of the Seminoles and that an effort
is being made 20 induce Congress to en-
dorse this step by granting lands to be
enjoyed by these Indians in perpetuity.
The attempt to establish missions in the
Indian villages also renders more accu-
rate information as to their numbers and
conditions desirable. and these considera-
ticns have led the State supervisor. the
Hon. J. NJ Cheney Of Orlando to take
steps to secure the nece ssary data in this
direction.
AS it was obvious that this work could
never be carried out by the regular emu
merators. the appointment OF two special
agents has been authorized by the Direc-
tor of the Census in Washington, and an
expedition has already heen organized to
visit these isolated bands of Indians and
to count their numbers.
Bishop Gray and D. Brecht. who enjoy
the confidence of the Seminoles to a re-
markable degree, probably know more OF
their condition than any other men in the
State. The former estimates their num-
bers at 600 souls. all told; and after a
consultation with him, ]. Otto Fries, of
Orlando was selected to do the work, with
Archbishop Hendry. of Fort Pierce, as his
assistant. No two men could be more
thoroughly fitted to the task. Besides be-
ing an experienced surveyor. Mr.. Fries is
veteran woodsman. and probably knows
more of the topography of south Florida
than any other civilized man in the State.
His companion is one Of the few white
men in whom the taciturn Seminoles have
any confidence He is thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with their language, and has from
boyhood hunted with them. Probably no
other man in all Florida could go among
these people on any such errand as that
proposed by the Census Bureau with SO
much hope of success.
The expedition left Fort Pierce on June
G. supplied with good covered team, and
thoroughly equipped for a three weeks
trip TO Fort Drum, by which time the an
nual green corn dance" characteristic
of these Indians, was expected to bring
the scattered members of the little band
together.
From Fort Drum Mr. Fries proposes to
return to Fort Pierce, and from there pro-
coed by rail to some point between Miami
and Fort Lauderdale. where 1t is expected
to find the Miami band. All this, however,
is easy-easy, that Is. to experienced
woodsmen, such as Fries and Hendry.
The real difficulty will be encountered
when the little expedition starts out in
the long and dangerous journey to the
Everglades in search OF the Chakoliskes
band. Several routes have been consid-
cred. but at the latest advices Mr. Fries
had not decided whether to cross the Ever
glades by boat or to go around by Fort
Myers. either by rail or steamer, and
strike out direct from that point. In
either case the task is one that will require
all the skill and woOdcratt OF the leaders
Of the expedition. Should the water be
high, the route by boat across the Ever
glades will probably be selected; and, in
any case, much of the ground covered will
be identical with that traversed by the
famous Ingraham expedition, which some
years ago so nearly persisted In the laby-
rinthian mazes of the great swamp
Ii is believed that Mr.. Fries efforts will
be attended with success; and, in any
case, the result of the expedition will be
awaited with interest by all who have at
heart the welfare OF the original possess
sors OF the soil and who appreciate the
exertions OF Bishop Gray and DR.. Brecht
in their behalf.
Ten Growing I'm the south.