Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-08-04
atliseellaneous Reading.
LAST o THE SEMINOLES
Remnant of Once Powerful Tribe Con-
tinue in Everglades.

Many people in the Northern States,
says a Miami, Fla, letter, are unaware
that there dwells in the Businesses Of
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-tim
mighty nation of Seminoles. who defied
the United States government for more
than half a century and persistently
refused colonization.
While the numerous wars and forced
emigrations have reduced their num-
bers to few hundred, their mode of
living, dispositions and customs are in
many respects the same as when the
naughty De Soto sailed into Tampa
Bay in 1889.
The Seminoles live to themselves,
avoiding contact with the white race
as much as possible, and seldom, II
ever, talking whites into their conf
dence and on account Of the almost in
accessible 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 re-
fused any assistance from the govern
ment, saying in response to offers for
their support, I'VE only wish to be let
alone"
They have no written language, yet
they are familiar with the traditions
and history Of the tribe. The events Of
the seven years war are still vivid in
their campfire memories, and the little
pappooses are taught from infancy to
avoid any semblance Of intimacy with
the race who. through the violation OF
the most sacred rule Of warfare, "the
flag Of truce" cautured and imprison-
ed for life their matchless warrior
chieftain, Osceola, and his brave staff.
The tribe are taught that 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 were said to be
only 112 Seminoles left in Florida, but
during the long period Of peace with tn
white race their numbers have increas-
ed, until there are now between 500 and
600. These are divided into four bands,
the Miamis the Okeechobees, the Tala-
hassees 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 it's leader, whose duty it is to
preside at councils for administration
of the unwritten laws Of the Seminole
tribe that from time immemorial have
been handed down from generation to
generation.
Many of the Seminole braves are
types of physical excellence. Their ma
tive dress consists Of tunic Of vari-
Gus bright gaudy colors. with which
buckskin leggins and moccasins are
sometimes worn.
The squaws wear a long, full skirt,
which effectually hides their bare feet,
with a long -sleeved waist. They are
very we'll behaved, modest and shy,
and it is considered improper for as
much as their feet or ankles to be ex-
posed to view, although their waist and
skirts do not meet by 6 or 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 guady 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 a masquerade Of
fancy dress affair. They show no de-
sire to copy the styles of their pale
faced sisters.
The Seminoles are kind to their fam
lilies, fond Of and devoted to their chill
dren, are pure in morals and honest
among themselves and with the whites.
They do most Of their trading in Mi
ami and Fort Lauderdale. In these
places are certain stores which they
make headquarters for all purchases
and sale of their furs and other pro-
ducts. They are very suspicious Of the
motives and designs Of white men, and
derstand English have been taught by
their chiefs "Estahadkee, Kolowagus
leXeojus" (white man no good; lie too
much). And it is very reluctantly that
they give information as to the loca-
ton of their c;-mps. hunting grounds or
home life.
1t is believed by many white people |
that the Seminoles have some secret
remedy which is a sure cure for the
bite of rattlesnake. Tom Tigerdeer
being asked one day. What does an
Indian do when bitten by a rattle
snake?" promptly replied with a twin
kle in his beadlike eyes, He take big
sleep"
They are said to be good traders, |
having their price on each article and
persistently refusing to sell for less
than their original price.
Sofka, the principal diet Of the Sem
inoles, is prepared by the squaws. 1t
consists of meats and vegetables boil |
ed together in a large kettle, and
thickened with grits or corn meal 1t
is usually eaten by the family and visi
tors from the kettle in which it is cook |
ed, with single large wooden spoon. |
each taking his or her turn, a single |
spoonful often supplying two or three
with mouthful.
Year by year we see the Seminole |
crowded further and further back into |
the Everglades. The government has
dug great canals from Lake Okeecho-
bee to the coast draining this section
Of the Everglades, and the Indians
have been compelled to move on to-
ward the big cypress swamps, and it
appears that even the almost impene-
trable Everglades, the original and
rightful homes o fthe Seminoles, are
gradually passing from their posses
sion. Soon the legends will be all that |