The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-12-07
QUEEN FLA SSIE" AND
THE SEMINOLE INDIANS
How "Bil" Browns wife AIDED IN
ChristianiEinG the Rea Men %
the Florida Everglades.

the ElOfaoA Avof&la0oss
A recent issue Of the Goshen (In-
diana) News-Times contained the fol-
lowing story, which win prove Of inter-
est to all Floridians:
bill Brown brought IN from the Ev-
erglades this week the greatest number
of alligator hides that he hes ever ham
died in one trip. His load consisted Of
I,OS7 gator hides and $50 gator feet.
Bill sold his hides to r. A. Henderson
for $50, This shows that there are q
few gators still left in the 'glades, but
how long the crop will last at this rate
may be conjectured,"
The above is taken from the Fort
Myers, Fla, Press, and from years'
acquaintance with Bill Brown and his
good wife, Flossie, the writer feels
that It is due them 20 give them notice
Of the good work they have accom-
plished among the only tribe Of Indians
that observe their native customs ard
cling TO the religion Of their ancestors,
Chief Osceoln, Of the Semlnoles. Bill
Brown was an English sailor who de-
serted his vessel at Key West and
landed ct Fort Myers YER. y ears aR 9 Soon
native Of South Florida, who was
they both moved near the Indians
hunting grounds, eighty milea south
east Of Fort Myors, In the Everglades,
and opened up q small trading post.
Bill Brown and Queen Flossie, &c the
Indians call her, have been there ell
these years, and are today the only
traders that command the respect and
confidence Of the $50 Indians left Of
this mighty tribe Of Florida. Flossio
has learned their language and her
alone these Indians trust; IS yet she
has never deceived them She alone
makes most Of the purchases from
them, exchanging such commodities a.
they need. And their promise % pay
in so many moons 70 never violated.
The government has never been able
TO even gain their confidence. They
do not receive one cent In annuitles
from the government 70 60 70 tho
Indian Nation and receive lands
and share with the rest OF the
Seminole tribe. Missionaries have
been sent by Baptists, Methodists
and others, but not until Floesie had
embraced the Eplsc0palian faith would
an Indian'see 1t In any other light than
their forefathers. Fl0ssie induced
Rev. H. Gibbs, an English Episeopa-
liam, TO accept q charge a. missionary
among her people, and only IN this
weeks Press the writer noticed his
leaving for another charge owing 10
failing health. He alone, with the as
sistance OF Flossie, has been able 70
open a school and build little church
where others have failed Bill Browns
home is never closed, and there has
never been an Indian turned away or
allowed TO go away hungry. Flossie
has rased a large family OF boys and
girls, whose associates are children OF
the red men. whose guidance and edu-
cation Rev. Gibbs has had In sole con-
troll, and today her children are as dear
TO the hearts Of the Indian mothers as
their own.
II was the writer's good fortune at
one time TO attend q green corn dance
that occurs yearly among the Indians
and TO meet Bill Brown and Floasie at
their home. also meeting many OF the
descendan VI the once mighty chief,
0sceola. " h all their tribal feelings
against the whites, Bill Browns good
wife, with her Indian language, COM
mands more respect among them than
any other living white person. What
mission Think Of being isolated from
friends where her whole life was spent
as girl devoting her beat years to the
upbuilding and outstanding Of these
people.
Bill Brown has prospered. Every
few weeks the people OF Fort Myers
hear the whip cracking over Bills
teams. coming generally with two OF
three wagons, drawn by four to six OK
teams. His RlliagtOr hides and feet.
otter and deer hides, IN fact. whatever
he takes IN trade from the Indians Is
sold, and his wagons are loaded up with
supplies for his trading post.
II such influences were welded
among the Indians their conditions
would be far better. The government
would also have less trouble in their re-
latiOns with the Indians Of today, Il
there were more 9ill Browns and Queen
FIossies to give them honest advice and
Christian teachings.
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The list Of manageable officials in
the State House at Tallahassee IL