Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-10

wooden floor. His dress is scanty, but highly
individualistic The Seminoles are the most
picturesque of Indians AS a relic of pre-
Columbian America, the tribe is worth vast
ly more in it's present primitive state than
it's members will ever be worth as citizens.
Several years ago an agitation start
ed in Florida to help out the Seminoles. 1t
resulted in the state of Florida making them
present of 100000 acres of land. The
state deserves and has been given great
credit for it's generosity. Some critics, how
ever. have pointed out that nearly all of this
land is under about six feet of water.
About the same time some congressman
went down and looked at the Seminoles
They were shocked into appropriating $10,
600 for the education and general "uplift''
of the Indians. This appropriation was re-
peated for several years. This year, twenty
thousand is asked. In connection with this
proposed appropriation of twenty thousand
dollars, quite debate over the Seminoles
broke out in congress. Some of the con-
gressmen didn't want to appropriate the
money on the ground that what had already
been appropriated had not been spent.
This led the writer to Mr.. Cato Sells, Com
missioner of Indian Affairs, who has charge
of the appropriation. He admitted that very
little of the money has been spent, and that
very little has been done for the Seminoles
The reason is that the Seminoles do not
want anything done for them. They do not
care to be civilized, or to learn the Chris
tian religion. They have but one article of
faith: Cali white men are liars
Mr. Sells opened schools for them; they
wouldn't go. He tried to teach them farm
ing and to make health survey of the
tribe. All of his efforts have been met
with evasion. Before he can do anything
for these Indians he must overcome the eff
fects of century in which the whites have
murdered and robbed them.
1t was in connection with the murder of
I'M hat 10 hire re Stn
a few years ago toward gaining the con-
fidence of the Seminoles. One of the In
dams was on his way to town with $500
worth of alligator hides, when he was MUIR
dered and robbed by white man named
Ashley. AS the local authorities did not
seem jealous in pursuing Ashley, Commits
sioner Sells sent federal officer after him.
After dramatic hunt through the Ever
glades, Ashley was caught and turned over
to the authorities for trial, and the gov
eminent man went home. During his trial
Ashley mysteriously escaped. The govern
ment man was sent back and after another
long hunt, again caught Ashley, who was
finally convicted. This incident convinced
at least some of the Indians that the United
States government has a sense of justice.
A couple of years ago Mr.. Sells sent to
Florida a Shawnee Indian named Frank E.
Brandon, to act as a sort of wandering SUI
pervisor to the Indians His real work is
to win their confidence. To do this he has
travelled all over the Seminole territory with
an OK team and a couple of Indian guides,
talking to the people, and trying to explain
what the government wants to do for them.
Until their confidence is won and they are
willing to cooperate, it is useless, Mr.. Sells
explains, to expend the appropriations which
have been made for them. There is no use
in building schools when the Indians shun
them as works of the devil.
The commissioners plan is to fence the
tract of 10000 acres, which is the only good
land the Indians possess, and to stock 1t
with cattle. The Indians will be taught to
be Iherdmen and the cattle will ultimately
be divided among them Their education
will come after they have been provided with
the means of making living.