Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-11
COUNTING THE SEMINOLEs,
Difficulties of Making an Accurate
Census of the Florida Indians.

Dthcu1tfcs of Making an Accurate
Census of the Florida Indians.
From the Florida Times Union and Citizen.
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 undisputed
sway over the peninsula, and whose do
minon 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 civilization
and thriving towns and swell tourist hotels
now stand where once the smoke of the
council fires arose beneath the towering
columnar pines.
There today but three bands of Sem
inoles left IN the state. In Brevard county
the Cow Creek band ranges over the south
ern part of the county, ccntering near Fort
Drum. by which name the tribe is some
times known. The Miami band ranges
through the eastern part of the Everglades
in Ddde county. between Fort Lauderdale
and Miami. and the third remnant known
band pursues Its chosen way along the
western border of the Everglades, from
Lake Okechobee to Chakoliskee bay.
SO completely have these people been dis
now exist between them; they have no ac-
knowledged chief, and they recognize no
mans authority. Little is known of them
or their habits. Reticent. suspicious and
Isolated they shrink from observations: and
II Is rare indeed that the few white tran
pers and hunters who come into contact
with them succeed in securing their conf
dence.
perative, and they are emphasized by the
fact that at its last session the Legislature
granted large tracts of land for the use of
the Seminoles. and that an effort is being
made to induce Congress to indorse this
step by granting lands to be enjoyed by
these Indians I'm perpetuity The attempt
TO establish missions In the Indian villages
also renders more accurate information as
to their numbers and condition desirable
and these considerations have led the state
supervisor. ]. NJ Cheney of Orlando. Ia
take steps to secure the necessary data in
this direction.
AS 1t was obvious that this work con,d
never be carried out by the regular emf
meratOrs. the appointment Of two snecia,
agents has been authorized by the d.
rector of the census in Washington and
an expedition has already been organized
to visit these isolated bands of Indians and
to count their numbers.
Bishop Gray and DIR. Brecht. who enjoy
the confidence Of the Seminoles to re-
| markable degree. probably know more Of
their condition than any other men in the
state. The former estimates their number
al V' souis toIu, ana 6Iter q cOnSulta-
| ton with him. ]. Otto Fries of Orlando
was selected to do the work. with Archi-
bald Hendry OF Fort Pierce as his assistant
No two men could be more thoroughly fitted
to the task Besides being an experienced
surveyor, Mr. Fries is a veteran woods
man and probably knows more of the to-
| Biography of south Florida than any other
| civilized man in the state. His COM
| panion is one of the few white men In
whom the taciturn SeminoIes have any
| confidence. He is thoroughly conversant
| with their language, and has from boyhood
| hunted with them. Probably no other man
| In all Florida could go among these peo-
| pie 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 a good covered team, and
| thoroughly equipped for d 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
! proceed by rail to some point betwaar