Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-11-17

osceoIa out finching, and
W h len treated with
treaehery, counting death in prefer
ence to dlshonored life.
Oseeola's grandfather was a Scotch
man, and something more than paler
skin and European features were
transmitted to the grandson; the
traits which both peoples possessed In
common were doubly strong in him.
Like so many prominent chiefs, he
was not born to leadership, but be-
came Il chief through his efforts In
behalf Of his people, and, like others,
these efforts centered In holding the
lands of the Indians against the
whites. Sitting Bull tried this; so did
Tecumseh and King Philip. Pope, the
Pueblo, was more successful Ill his
plans, but none endured. And Osce.
ola was just another of those devoted
men who made the effort and failed.
The second Seminole war, in 1885.
preeipitated trouble which had been
accommodating for some time. -Four
teen years previous to this time most
Of the Seminole lands had been coded
to the United States, although the In
dans kept central reservation. Inc
white people wanted them entirely
moved out. and in 1882, they made
an agreement to move beyond the Mis-
sissippi before the end of three years.
A large number Of the tribe who
Get ready for resistance, and Osceola
became the leader Of these people.
Emathla, who had been the principal
signer of the treaty OF removal, was
killed So also was Gen. A. X. Thomp-
son, who opposed the Seminole who
wanted to remain. On this account
troops were sent to the swamp land,
and the second Seminole war began IN
earnest.
The noncombatants, women and chill.
dren, were hidden In the Everglades,
through which the Indians knew their
way, while to the white troops it was
an impossible territory. While the sol
diers were trying In vain to find the
nidden Indians, Osceola and his war
riors were upon them like swarm Of
mosquitoes, annoying and harassne
the already rather bewildered troops
The first detachment to attack thu
Indians, under Major Dade, was Gu
off, and only few wounded escaped
come say only one. But still thu
troops continued to attempt the almos
impossible One leader after anoth
err was placed in charge, and each Of
fees In turn was frustrated. "Caesa
never fought Indians, or he would hav'
reversed his celebrated saying, III
easier to foil than find them
This game OF hide and seek Taste
for eight years. The general publ
which did not understand the vast oil
stacles in the way Of the troops, bs
came impatient and good deal
unearned criticism was bestowed o.
the succession OF officers, who ha
vainly tried to accomplish what coul
not be done. Nearly 1900 Unite
States troops had been killed in tn
course Of the war, and S2O,O0o,ooO ma
been spent, yet the Semlnoes Wer
still In Florida, and Osceola was stil
alive and active.
Finally, General Jesup, who was bt
coming annoyed to evaporation by III
attitude of the public, threw ethics t
the winds. conference was calles
which Osceola and his lieutenants al
tended under the protection OF ia
OF truce, but instead of holding III
council, Jesup seized the Seminol
chief as prisoner. This act, while J
had a powerful effect on the wal
turned the tide Of public sentiment
and the tickle people who had urse'
him on, now condemned Jesup and re
fused to find an excuse for his act.
Osceola was placed In prison a
Saint Augustine lie was no longe
free to rove the Everglades, no longe
the leader. Of his eager warriors, n
longer the savior Of his people. This
would NOT have seemed quite so mel
ancholy to the young chief, had i
been accomplished as the fortune OF
| war. but to have been taken by treach
erv was the final blow. 1t is said thai
his broken spirit and sad thoughts
more than the catarrhal fever which
| then attacked him, caused the death
| Of Osceola ut IRE early age OF thirty
five. He died In prison at Fort Moul
trie, Fla, In January 1888.
fD. 1882. Western Newspaper unionl