The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-08-13
LAST OF THE SEMINOLES.
Remnant Of Once Powerful Tribe
Continue in Everglades.

Many people in the Northern States,
says a Miami, Fla, letter, are un-
aware that there dwells in the fast
nesses of the Florida everglades one
of the most interesting and pictur-
esque 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 de-
fed the United States government for
more than half century and per-
sistently refused colonization
While the numerous wars and fore
ed immigrations have reduced their
number to a 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 & 1om, if
ever, talking 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, 1--WE only
wish to be left alone
They have no written language,
yet they are familiar with the tradi-
tions 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 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 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 con-
quered. In the year 1859 there were
said to be only 112 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 500. These
are divided into four bands, the Mi
amis, the Okeechobees, the Talahas-
sees 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
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
native dress consists of tunic Of
various bright gaudy colors, with
which buckskin leggins and mocco-
sins are sometimes worn.
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 exposed to view, although their
waist and skirts do not meet by or
8 inches, this discrepancy being only
partly covered by e shawl-like at
tachment or collar to the waist.Th
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, max
ing an appearance that would do
credit to a masquerade of fancy dress
affair. They show no desire to copy
the styles of their pale-faced sisters.
The Seminoles are kind to their
families, fond Of 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 Lauderdale. In
these places are certain stores which
they make headquarters for all pur-
chases and sale Of their furs and
other products. They are very suspi-
cious of the motives and designs OF
white men, and the few who are able
IL