The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-31


successful. In one of the massacres
General Thompson was avenged by
Osceola's own hand for having once
Imprisoned the chief for day. Sew
cral treaties were no sooncr made
than they were violated, usually
through OsccOla's Influence.
The war continued year aitet'
year, many troops rcrishing III eile
'swamps either from poisonous in
81 ct and snake bites or from feycis.
IN October, 1887, Osceola, with sew
cral OF his chiefs, appeared in the
camp of General Jesup, who at tina.
time was in chief command of Flor
ida. Although the Indians carried
flag OF truce, Jesup ordered them
seized. OSccOla was sent to Charles
! ton where he was confined in Fl.
! Mcultrie. lie died in Il little more
than a year. .Jcsup was severely
criticized for violating the flag OF
! truce. but he explained OsceOla's
trrachcry declaring that it was tho
only way to end the war.
The capture Of Osccola was So
yer, blow 10 the Scminoes Never
t;,cless. under other competent chief,
\ ~, hn fpr
freedom and their country five years
J longcr Peace was finally declared
August II, 1912. In the seven years
Of ighting the United States had los
1886 lives and S1O.OOO,OO0. The In
dams had suffered severely in the
!, numbers killed. The whole Semi
mole tribe. with the exception OF
about 200, was removed to the In
dian Territory, where land was APP
pertioncd to each member. The Sem
Golcs in the West are nov one o.
ircrica's five civilized tribes.
Those who remained behind -
J treated into the EverGla lcs, where
/ white men could not penetrate. Thag
represented the braycst and most d.
tormincd Of their tribe, WHO pro,
fcrrcd death from poison and fever
to surrender. They were bitter to-
ward their tribcGmcn for giving M,
hut their hatred OF Americans was
intense. Although homeless and do
populated, their spirit was unbrokrn.
T,is is typified in the favoritc school
recitation. The SmnuIp's Reply.
b.. {. W. Patton.
= loathc " in MY bosom.
seorn yr with mine eye,
md III ,aunl 80 With my latrs;
breath,
Nnd liehl ye til ! die
! neer will ask ye quarter,
And n,'er will he your slave,
Eat III swim The sea OF slaughter
Till sink beneath the wave
Tie Everglades, To which the IN
d'aas retrcalcd, are vast tropical
swamps, thiekIy oAorgroWA am!
marshy. aud ahoundnS IN alliga
tons, snakes and poisonous insects.
The ScmiHolcs selected the dries;
places they could find for blildiue
Il cir huts. Because of their strons
constitutions and long residence i'm
the sWamps, they have gradually be.
come immune to the diseases anu
| poisonous bites.
Today these last relics of The SEM
iaole tribe live wild and free, Just a.
they did centuries ago. They have
s.orned civilization and observe The
customs handed down from their an
ccstors. Their dress is UNCHANGED
Although it is as primitive as it WAS
before the time OF Columbus. it Is
unique in showing a higher stage cr
advancement than any other tribe.
The Seminoles are practically fre
flcm the vices introduced by TIL.
white man, which have caused the
downfall of most Indians. They stI,,
observe the primitive custom of win
ming bride by capture. After the
girls parents have consented TO III,
marriage the suitor has to captm
her IN a race at the July Corn Dane.
Inc BRIDEGROOM then goes to tn,
brides home TO live. Men are nor
allowed to marry before they are =.
years cid. and women before the,
ale II. Such laws insure children
sound physically and mentally. The
Florida Seminoles are said TO hc
s:adually Increasing in number.
Thus thee Indians have delic.
civilization. They have fought I'M
tirln"ly to retain Possession of tteir
lends. and are still living in H.
same place where Panc, &c Leon
FIRST saw their ancest rs &S6 wears
$50. They believe alterinsls
TIA; I'll the beautiful surroundin,
eetrtfy will again be theirs. if not