Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1914-06-19

"a EYANY people in the Northern
NV M States are unaware that
NV there dwells in the Businesses
of the Florida Everglades
one Of the most interesting
and picturesque bands of American
aborigines in the United States.
known as the Seminole Indians, who
are now as separate 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
defed the United States government
for more than half century and per
sistently refused colonization
While the numerous wars and forced
emigrations have reduced their num-
q bers to few hundred, their mode OF
8 living, dispositions and customs are in
q many respects the same as when the
naughty De Soto sailed into Tampa
Bay in 1893.
The Seminoles live to themselves,
avoiding contact with the white race
as much as possible, and seldom, II
ever, taking whites into their con-
fidence, and on account of the almost
inaccessible nature of the country in
which they live. little is known of
4 their intimate home life Unlike the
4 Indians Of the West, they have per-
sistentIy refused any assistance from
the government, saying in response
TO offers for their support, I'VE only
wish to be let alone"
Memories Are Good.
They have no written language, yet
they are familiar with the traditions
And history of the tribe. The events
Ii the seven years war are still vivid
their campfire memories, and the
title pappooses are taught from in
Rncy to avoid any semblance of init
acy with the race, who, through the
collation. of the most sacred rule of
arfare, the flag of truce" captured
I'D imprisoned for life their match
ess warrior chieftain, Osceola, and
is brave staff. The tribe are taught
pat the whites are lacking in honor,
"a, in the Seminole language hologa-
us Ono good.
The present Florida Indians are the
descendants Of that invincible tribe
no were never completely conquered.
p the year 1859 there were said to be
only 112 Seminoles left in Florida,
put during the long period of peace
With the white race their numbers
pave increased, until there are now
a
ided into four bands, the Miamis,
Pc Okeechobees, the Tallahassees and
pc Big Cypress. These bands have
ot been governed by any great
nlef" for about ten. years, as was
formerly their custom, but each
Rand has it leader whose duty is to
reside at councils for administration
the unwritten laws of the Seminole
rlbe that from time immemorial have
8een handed down from generation to
generation.
& Many Of the Seminole braves are
ypes of physical excellence. Their
alive dress consists of a tunic of va
Gus bright gaudy colors, with which
|uekskin leggins and moccasins are
81 +tStlAuSS worn.
Inc squaws wear long, full skirt, |
INCH effectually hides their bare feet,
ith long-sleeved waist They are
cry well behaved, modest and shy, |
no II is considered improper for as |
ueh as their feet or ankles to be |
exposed to view, although their waist
&c skirts do not meet by or 8
ches. this discrepancy being only I
dftiy covered by shawl1ike attach |
feht or collar TO the waist. Their
ress Is even gayer colored and more /
audy than that of the men. having
lue stripes OF red, yellow, blue and /
llte encircling both the waist and /
ATT with great strings of bright col
gu beads around the neck, making
appearance that would do credit
masquerade OF fancy dress affair
snow no desire to copy the
.Ies or their paie-faced sisters.
Ane Seminoles are kind to their
mines, fond OF and devoted to their
4'uren, are pure in morals and hon
among themselves and with the
Ives. They do most OF their trading
n4aml and Fort Lauderdale. In
se places are certain stores which
make headquarters for all pur-
lases and sale Of their furs and
a' products. They are very sus-
Aus OF the motives and designs of
men, and the few who are able
peaK and understand English
oeen taught by their chiefs "Es-
aadkee, Kclowagus lexeeo;us'
-'e man no good; lie too much).