The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-06-01
"UNREcoNsTRUcTED" INDIANS
Seminoles OF Florida Refuse TO Recog-
nize U. S. Government.

of the most interesting and pictur-
esque bands of American aborigines
in the United States, known as the
Seminole Indians, who are now as sep
arate and distinct from the white
race as when Columbus first held
mass on the shores of Cuba.
These are the remnants of the one
| time mighty nation of Seminoles, who
deded the United States government
/ for more than half "A century and per
sistently refused colonization.
While the numerous wars and forced
einigrations have reduced their num-
bcrs to a few hundred, their mode of
living, dispositions and customs are in
many respects the same as when De
Soto sailed into Tampa bay in 1888.
The Seminoles live to themselves,
avoiding contact with the white race
as much as possible, and seldom, if
ever, taking whites into their conf
derce and on account of the almost
inaccessible nature of the country in
which they live, little Is known of
their intimate home life.
Unlike the Indians of the west, they
have persistently refused any assist
anGe from the government, saying in
response to offers for their support:
I'VE only wish to be let alone
They Nave no written language, yet
the traditions and history of the tribe,
the events of the Seven Years war
are still vivid in their camp fire memo
ries, and the little pckaninnies are
taught from infancy to avoid any sem
blance of intimacy with the race who,
through the violation of the most sa-
cred rule of warfare, 'the flag of
truce" captured and imprisoned for
life their matchless warrior chieftain
Osceola and his brave staff.
The tribe Is taught the whites are
lacking in honor or, in the Seminole
language, holowagus (No good.
The present Florida Indians are the
descendants of that invincible tribe
{ who were never completely conquered.
In the year 1859 there We're said
to be only 112 Seminoles left in Flori-
da, but during the long period of
peace with the white race their num-
|
now nearly coo. They are divided into
four bands, the Miamis. the Okeecho-
bees. the Talahassees and the Big Cy-
press.
Z These bands haye not been govern
ed by any Great Chief for about ten
years as was formerly their custom,
but each band has their leader, whose
duty is to preside at councils for ad-
ministration Of the unwritten law of
the Seminole tribe that from time JIM
memorial have been handed down
from generation to generation
Many of the Seminole braves are
types of physical excellence. Their ma
tive dress consists of a tunic of Nari-
= ouS bright gaudy colors, with which
buckskin leggings and moccasins are
sometimes worn.
The suuaws were a long, full skirt.
which enectually hides their bare feet,
With a long sleeve waist They are
livery we'll behaved. modest and shy,
p and it is considered improper for as
much as their feet or ankles to be
exposed to view. although their waist
r and skirts do not meet by six or eight
inches this discrepancy being only
partly covered by a shawl-like attach
/ meut or collar to the waist
r Their dress is even gayer colorad
p and more gaudy than that of the men.
{ having wide stripes of red, yellow, blue
and white eucircling both the waist
, and skirt with great strings of bright
e. colored beads around the neck, making
r AN appearance that would do credit
: to masquerade or fancy dress a1ajr
: They show no desire to copy the styles
4 OF their pale-taced sisters
e The Seminoles are kind to theil
; families fond and devoted to theil
t children. are pure in morals and hon
c est among themselves and with the
y whites.
l. They do most Of their trading ii
q Miami and Fort Lauderdale In taes,
+ places are certain stores which they
e make their headquarters for all pur
" chases and sale of their turs, hides
n and other products.
y They are very suspicious OF the mo
& tiyes and designs of white men, and
De-. the few who are able TO speak auC
e understand English. have been taUcI
q by their chiefs. "Estahadkee. Ko,owag
,l Ms leze,oJus" tWhiJe man no good. II,
f. too murhl.