The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-11-07

CHIEF TIGER TAIL is GOING TO
THE WEST-WHOLE TRIBE MAY
FoLLoW-cIVILIZE INDIANS OF
THAT SECTION RESPONSIBLE.

That a portion of the Smeinole
tribe of Indians may be induced TO
fOTsake their fayorite hunting grounds
in the Everglades by messengers from
the tribe in the west, and follow them
to the more civilized life of the tribal
reservation in the Indian Territory,
now seems a possibility, says the
Jacksonville Metropolis.
If the deed is done a handful of
Christian Indians will have accom-
plished what the United States gov
quarter century of futile and bloody
struggle.
A small band from the Territorial
Seminoles, who have been converted
to Christianity, is now holding meet
ings at Jupiter. on the bower east
coast, and the meetings are being at
tended by scores of SeminoleS from
different sections of the Everglades.
Besides preaching the doctrines of
their adopted faith, the visiting In
dams are urging their Florida broth
the Everglades and the hunting rife
and follow them to titled fields and
the pillow Of the reservation
Tiger Tall Going West.
Chief Tiger Tail, who is reputed to
be one of the wealthiest members of
the Florida tribe, and who is an In
dian Of more than usual intellect, was
in Titusville during the last week and
in discussing the matter expressed his
intention of going west next summer
and trying it for himself II he likes
it he win sell his belongings in Flor
ida and make his home on the reser-
walton, and it is probable that his &C
tion would exert an influence upon
other members of the tribe TO follow
him. The change would not be a
great for him, however, as for the
average tTibesman, for he makes hi
wealth by stock raising more than by
the use of his rife, like the majority
of the SeminoleS
But though some members of the
tribe may follow the steel-railed trail
TO the reservation in the west, it is
very improbable that the entire tribe
can ever be induced to go in a. body.
1t is well known fact that the love
OF his native hunting grounds is as
strong in the breast of the Seminole
as Is the love of his native state TO
the Floridian
This was well illustrated by an in
cident at FIT. Myers during the Indian
wars or the last century. The federal
troops had captured a number of the
Seminoles and were holding them att
across the gulf, en- route to the lands
allotted by the government for the
purpose.
SeminoIes are Suspicious.
In the captured party was a chief
who declared that he would never
leave his beloved state alive He
was kept closely guarded, however,
! and was allowed to reach no weapon,
as II was believed that he might com
nit suicide lie OUtwitted his cap
tors. however, and kept his promise.
Tor when the morning came for the
schooner bearing the Indians to set
sail be dropped dead upon the wharf a
/ Re" feet from the rail of the vessel
mat was 20 bear him away. He had
secured a bottle. and. crushing the
glass, had swallowed the particles.
The eEertlon caused by the walk from
the prison 70 the wharf caused the
glass - cut him internally and TO
cause hemOrrhage
From the day when the government
by foTce or arms deported a part of
The tribe and then finally gave up thel
capture OF all remaining, the Seminole
has regarded Uncle Sam with s1IsDf-
ctoB. IL Was the fear that the white
man was but planning a ruse 10 get
The tribe together and then capture il
Ia is entirety that made a failure of
a great gathering planned by Bishop
Gray q few years ago
The Episcopal church has done
much for the Sefninoles. and with the
| hospital a. Inasnokalee has healed the
] sick and suffering as well as worked