Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-20
FLORIDA INDIANS
ARE UNFORG|V|NG

are unaware that there dWellS IN the
fastnees of the Florida everglades
one of the most interesting and pic
turesque bands of American abort
gines 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-tirne
mighty nation of Seminoles, who de-
fled the United States government
for more than half century and per-
sistently refused colonization.
While the numerous wars and
forced emigration have reduced their
numbers to few hundred, their
mode of living. dispositions and Gus
toms are in many respects the same
as when the naughty De Soto sailed
into Tampa Bay in 1883.
The Seminoles live to themselves.
avoiding contact with the white race
as much as possible, and seldom, II
ever, take whites into their conf
dence, 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 per-
sistently refused any assistance from
the government, saying in response
to offers for their support:
I'VE only wish to be let alone
Have No Written Language.
They have no written Language, yet
the traditions and history OF the
tribe The events of the seven-year
war are still vivid in their campfire
memories, and the little picaninnies
are taught from infancy TO avoid any
semblance of intimacy with the race
which, through the violation OF the
most sacred rule of warfare, the
flag of truce" captured and impris-
oned for life their matchless warrior
chieftain, Osceola, and his brave staff
The tribe is taught that the whites
are lacking in honor, or in the Semi
mole Language, holowagus (no good.
The present Florida Indians are the
descendants of that inYincible tribe
who were never completely conquered.
In the year 1859 there were said TO
be only liz Seminoles left in Florida,
but during the long period of peace
with the white race, their numbers
have increased until there are now
between 500 and 900. These are di-
vided into four bands, the Miamis
the Okeechobees, the Talahassees,
and the Big Cypress. These bands
have not been governed 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 admin
istration of the unwritten law of the
Seminole tribe that from time i'm
memorial have been handed down
from generation to generation.
Many OF the Seminole braves are
types of physical excellence. Their
native dress consists of tunic of
various bright, gaudy colors, with
which buckskin and moccasins are
sometimes worn.
The squaws wear long, fun skirt,
which effectually hides their bare
feet, with long-sleeved waist. They
are very well behaved, modest and
shy, and it is considered improper for
as much as their feet or ankles to be
exposed to view, although their waist
and skirts do not meet by six to
eight inches, this discrepancy being
only partly covered by a shawl-like
attachment or collar to the waist.
Their dress is even gayer colored and
more gaudy than that of the men,
having wide stripes of red, yellow,
blue and white -encircling both the
waist and skirt, with great strings
of bright-colored beads around the
neck, making an appearance that
would do credit to masquerade or
fancy dress affair. They show no de-
sire to copy the styles of their pale
faced sisters.
The Seminoles are kind to their
families, fond and devoted to their
children, are pure in morals and hon
est among themselves and with the
whites. They do most of their trad
ing in Miami and Fort Lauderdae. In
these places are certain stores which
they make their headquarters for all
purchases and sale of their furs,
hides and other products. They are
very suspicious Of the motives and
designs of white men, and the few
who are able to speak and understand
English have been taught by their
chiefs "Estahadkee, Kolowagus leXee-
oius'' (white man no good; lie too
much). And it is very reluctantly
that they give any information as to
the location of their camps, hunting
| grounds or home life
! RattIesnsko Bite Cure.
| 1t is believed by many white people
| that the Seminoles have some secret
remedy which is a sure cure for the
bite of a rattlesnake. Tom Tigerdeer
being asked one day, What does an
Indian do when bitten by rattle
snake?" promptly replied with a
twinkle In his beadlilSe eyes: "He
takes a big sleep"
They are said to be good traders,
having their price on each article and
prrjistently refusing to sell for less
than their original price.
Sofia, the principal diet of the Sem
inoles, is prepared by the squaws
| 1t consists tof meats and vegetables
boiled together in a large kettle anc
thickened with grits or cornmeal. II
is usually eaten by the family ant
| visitors from the kettle in which it Is
cooked with a single large wooder
spoon. each taking his or her turn, Z
single spoonful often being passed
from one to another and supplying
two OF three with a mouthful.
Year by year you see the Seminole
crowded farther and farther bacl
into the everglades, The govern
ment has dug great canals from Lake
Okeecbobe to the coast draining thii
section of the everglades, and the In
dams have been compelled to mov'
on toward the Big Cypress swamps
and IL appears that even the alnos
irnpenetrable everglades the ances
trail and rightful homes of the Semi
: noles are gradually passing from thei
possession. Sooif the legends Will b.
! all that will be left of this most pic
turesdue of all the tribes of American
Indians.