The weekly true Democrat., 1908-01-10

INA ~ ~ WHl4AoN e0A1 M4aA8l-AA Jill
slightly IN one thigh, with no furtheI
saort8 % molest the family. Whidden,
with his family, went % the Alafia,
From this point the Indians proceeded
10 the headWaters Of the HillsborOugt
and WithlaeoOchee rivers, where they
took lad that had been sent on an err
rand By Mr. jake Sumner, who they
hanged % q stopping pine aappl ing,
plated the boys suspendeFB N the
horses foretop and by this, upon the re.
turn Of the horse, Mr.. Skinner sus-
peeted foul play which put him on his
guard. This closed the depredatiOns,
but the whole country was disturbed for
months, however, all this mischief WaG
perpetrated without the knowledge or
authority of the other Indians. The
United States authorities demanded
that these outlaws be delivered TO them,
which was complied with, except one,
who refused 20 surrender, and they
killed him, bringing in one Of his hands
TO prove good faith, the others were
jailed in Tampa where they made ropes
Of their blankets and hanged themselves
20 q jOist overhead. Thus began and
thus ended the troubles In l849.
In 1857, while Rogers battalion was
camped at Camp Rogers, about two
miles from the field Of Billie's garden
on the borders Of the Big Cypress,
Captain Stephens often sent part Of the
horses to the garden 70 grASe, usually
with a guard. At one time, hSwever,
while the guard was at camp for din
ner, the Indians slipped in and kiliSd
every horse but one, which they took
about ten miles in q contrary direction
from their town, losing the horse,
which returned 10 camp. This was done
to impress the soldiers that their camp
was in that direction, but Captain Ste
phens was not to be fooled, and swOre
for revt nge. He took about forty Of
his men and plunged into the Big Cy-
press, after going 30 or 20 miles INTO
that noted jungle he came TO an
abandoned town. AS usual, they
stopped for a rest, and the men were
bumming around 20 satisfy their Curl
Osity when, like a clap Of thunder, s or
8 Indians opened Are. Captain Ste
phens yelled TO "fall in, fall IN, and
got his men iutO line, bnt no one hurt,
he made a bee line Cor his camp, going
two or three miles he made q circuit
and awaited results. He had not long
TO wait, when three fine bucks came in
view, following the trail. Stephens had
ordered his men 10 wait till he fired.
When square opposite he fired, as did
his men, two Indians we're killed, while
one mortally wounded ran square of,
not taking bis tack back. Other In
dians heard the firing, and came 20
learn the trouble. Stephens had held
his position, and as the other Indians
came upon their dead comrades, halted
and iabbering, he opened fire and three
more dropped in their tracks. Then
Captain Stephens formed his men into
line and marched back TO camp, eOnsOl-
ing himself with the achievement of five
dead Indians m lieu Of forty dead horses,
and called It square.
Then came Captain Stewart's turn. |
lt had been believed some time that
there we're more Indians In the OkOlO- |
swamp than in the Big Cy-
press. This swamp lies south Of old
Fort Keas and Fort Simon Drum,
perhaps 80 or 40 miles long and many
miles wide. Captain Stewart, with
about 80 men, started from Fort Keas |
and went down the swamp tOward the
coast. The second day out they began
10 find signs Of Indians. Proceeding |
iOwn the run tor severl miles there was
more sign and fresh. So one morning |
before leaving camp, ordered his men
not TO talk abOvea whisper while march
ng. They had not gone far before
they heard gentle pounding, made by
IN old Indian pounding the chaft from
rice in a mortar cut in a liveOak log. |
He with his men, advanced slowly and
soon getting in view of their
ields and shacks and got within 20 feet
" that old Indian before any were
lWare Of their presence, making a rush
.hey captured the old Indian with many
IquaWs and children who we're lying
lTOund here and there, some
sleep. One boy about Is years old ran
md they shot him. Just about the time
hey were ready 20 start with their
one Of Billey Bowleg's mar
led neiceB walked into the opening near
hem, with an infant in her arms. not
moving that the were there till too late
o retreat.
There was a neighbOring town half
mile away, that Stewart knew noth-
p. OF Nlu NLlt Oto Au4iAA t0iu tlith' hee
e gone ball q mile farther he would
ave caught hell. We accompanied .
cOut later 10 the place, but Il was
band0nod, though from the number Of
hacks we Wo1h cay the old Indian waa
IEht. 70 was BOWleg's headquarters
Thore ~ and many Warriors rendez-
Oud.
The old Indian was mad from his cap
1re ell he killed himself by eating
roken gFlass puFpOsely. Captain Stew