8 $ljc tmca, New Bloomftclir, f)a. WpRtorn Correspondence. Weiooka, Seminole Nation, Indian Ter. February 2nd, 1874. Mr. Editor : Powiibly a letter from this country, a " terra incognita" to most of your readers, may present some points of interest. It may or may not be known to you Mint the Seminoles are one of the Ave no called civilized tribes. This term, how ever, is rather a flattering one and must be taken merely as expressing their condition as compared with that of other tribes. These live tribes, the Cherokees, Creeks, - Seminoles, CliocUws and Chickneaws oc cupy the eastern part of the Indian Terri tory. They have been here now for many years, and have long since abandoned their aboriginal customs In a great degree, and have been engaged in the pursuits of agri- , culture and I was going to sny the peace ful arts, but, in fact, agriculture with its ' concomitant craft. Stock-raising, alone engages tbeir care. Tlio Seminoles, it may be remembered, were brought here from Florida about 1845, aftor their con quest, succeeding a long, harrassing and ' bloody war, by Gen's. Jackson, Taylor and , Jessup. The Seminole nation is a scion of the great Creek or Muskokee nation, from whom they seceded the word Seminole meaning rebel, or rather, runawayi. , The two tribes are now on. reservations adjoin- ' ing each other, and the old inimical feeling originating in tbeir separation, is now en hanced by the occupancy of certain land " by the Seminoles to which the Creeks lay ' claim. This bitter feeling is never display ed in any overt act, but merely shows itself ' in a contemptuous way of speaking of the ' other. The two nations speak the same language and their customs, mode of life, &o., are to all intents similar, so that s de scription of the one gives a fair representa- - tion of the other, the only difference being in their judicinl and legislative proceed ings. The Seminole tribe is small com pared with the Creeks, their numbers be ing, relatively, 2500 and 18.C0O. If there ' is any difference in the degree of civiliza tion and culture attained by the two na tions, the superiority is on the side of the Seminoles. This fact, (for my observation leads mo to think it is a fact,) is owing to the smaller nation being, by its sine, so much more easily acted upon by the good influences brought to bear upon it by Uie - officials sent among them. All the eastern tribes have greatly improved by it, and '- now exhibit the benefit of the introduction of that policy by which the various relig ious bodies have the appointment of the ' Indian agents. A different and a bettor class of men have been sent, who, both by example and precept, have given the In dians a better opinion of white men and persuaded them to attempt to gain a char acter themselves for probity and industry. The Seminoles are under the auspices of the Presbyterian church, and the agont sent by them is iu all respects eminently adapted to hi positionXr. Breiner, was formerly a citizen of Perry county, and a practitioner of Medicine near your town. Old friends there may be glad to learn of the good he has affected bore. lie Is un qualifiedly a christian gentleman, and has shown a disposition to faithfully perform the duties entrusted him that wins the re spect of all. Ills energetio devotion to the interests of the Indians ami conscientious management of their affairs show that he has their welfare at heartT The advent of good and honest men among the Indians has been a blessing to tbem,caiTying more benefits in its train be- sido the assurance of a just administration Too long has the name of Indian agents been a synonym for one who comes only to despoil them of all their effects if he can. With such meu among them as Dr. 13., they see that the Government is disposed to treat them as in truth their " wards" for whom'it has a parent's care, and not as the barbarians whose very existence, after - being deprived bf their country, they wish to terminate. In consequence they are encouraged to more earnestly endeavor to effect their social improvement, and earn by their progress the respect of the whole ' ' country, and the gratitude that is inherent ' even in an aborigiuee, makes them desire ' to maintain peaceful relations with the -' Government. . But the improvement spoken of must not lead you to suppose that the Indians are yet in a very advanced state of civiliza tion. The progress of a barbarous race is very slow. In any nation between the era when the successes in war create for them ' a history, and that in which they are dis . tinguUhed in the arts, there is a long pe riod and a slow march. It is hardly fair to say that agriculture is in a primitive state here, for that suggests a want of proper implements. But here, all farming imple ments are easily obtained ; it is only the inclination to use them that is wanting, Farming is conducted on a very different pluo from that seen in the old Keystone state. Kvery citizen here is entitled to as much land as he chooses to enclose and cultivate. But the reservation is so large, and the people so lacking in energy and possibly in cupidity, that immense tracts of land are neither fenced nor plowed. To one coming front the eastern states, where every acre, possibly every yard of ground is jnder cultivation, it is an astonishing sight to see miles or magnificent land, with every advantage of soil, lying untllled. The cli mate is delightful the heat of summer being more endurable than in Pennsylva nia, on account of the cool nights, and the winter's cold, never being excessive and always much shorter than in your latitude The soil is very fertile, being a rich black loam, with snnd intermixed sufficient to keep it loose and prevent baking, but not enough to cause it to wash. The country has a diversity of surface broad prairies, rolling lands and mountains. Kumerous streams flow through, and frequent rains supply moisture for vegetation. Kvery crop that bos been planted here has given an abundant yield, corn, wheat, oats, rice, cotton, tobacco, do equally well, and con sidering the imperfect farming, produce generous harvests. Few sections of the United States are so favored by Nature. The Indians we see here, in a state of transition from barbarism to civilization,are widely different both from the ideal In dians of Cooper and the romances of the New York Ledger, and from tho blood thirsty, untamed and untaught Modocs or Comanche. lie attempts to imitate the manners and mode of life of the white man, but his savage traits and customs are not yet wholly abandoned, nor will they be in this generation and one or, it may bo, two succeeding. His drets is a striking combi nation of the savage taste for gaudy orna ment and the more sober attire of the white man. A photograph of a Seminole farmer would present to you such a picture as this. From the rim of a soft hat, pulled down over his brows and decorated with one or more leathers, varying from an ostrich plumo, such as ladies wear, of every bright oolor, to a "gray goose quill," bangs far over the shoulder's a thick mass of jet black hair, coarse and straight cling ing in rough strands of unequal length, that gives him a fierce and uncouth ap pearance, lie wears a coat cut like a woman's sack with a very wide collar and loose sloeves, made of calico of the bright est hues and most flaring pattern that the stock of the merchant permits. The edges of the sleeves and collar are ornamented with fringe. A pair of bnckskin panta loons with fringe down the outside seams of the legs and a pair of shoes armed with spurs complete the costume. Some of them make a nearer approach to tho costume of those in the states, as far as regards panta loons, but the calico coat is aim jut in uni versal use. Many of tho men and all the women wear ear-rings, and whatever arti cles of jewelry or tinsel they can afford. Very few of them talk English, though most of them can understand it. There seems to be an inability in them to pro nounce certain English words. They are very sensitive to ridicule, and as they al ways laugh at the blunders of a white man in attempting their language, they expect to be laughed at in turn ; so they refrain from trying to talk it even when they can. I know of one who thought he had master ed English, and used his accomplishment with considerable pride, until on asking a store-keeper for apples he was handed marbles, whereupon, in disgust at his fail. urr to make himself understood, he aban doned the language forever. llie bouses are with few exceptions built of logs, and like all the log houses in the South, consist of two apartments connect ted by an open passage undor the same roof, with broad verandas surrounding or only in uont ot tne House. The stables are very small, a barn being a building un. known, and they are generally poorly con structed and open, hardly deserving the name or a sueiter. Tne stock wanders at will over the prairies and in inclement weather seek the protection of the bush and bottom lands ; and as frequent fires burn oft the grass from the "ranges " they find but s poor sustenance and consequent ly in the Spring appear half starved. It seems never to occur to the owners that it is their duty to provide for the comfort of llieir stock. - The commuuity of interest (that is, all the lands being held In common) and the natural aversion ot tne iudiau to contiu uus labor, prevent anything like rivalry in farming, or an ambition to accumulate wealth. They only raise enough to live upon, and even those who have large herds of stock derive but a small income from them. Each bouse is surrounded by a lot of starved dogs: and the pigs, " razor backed" and wild as deer, wander throuch the forest and are shot when needed tor food. Bread is made of corn and as there are few mills iu the country, meal for each days baking is made by pounding the corn in a big wooden mortar. There seems now, however, to be a disposition among many to show more enterprise in farming and adopt customs more conducive to com fort than those that have been so long in use; but it will be long before justice will be done to tbe fertility of the land. The time however must come when the Indians will not be permitted to retain their reser vations to the exclusion of whites and per mit so mucu valuable land to be unused. The country will be seotionized and the immigration of settlers from the states will create a new method of agriculture and another condition of social life, though this may not be for years to come. Well or ganized schools, and missionaries and na tive preachers labor to insure the mental and moral instructions of the people. There are many good, sincere christians among tbem. Indeed it is nrobablo that in pro portion to the population there are more church members than in most Eastern lo calities. There still exist amour; them some remains of their savage customs and superstitions sad the nractiue of certain barbario rites, as tbeir dances at the end of Harvest, a sort of heathen thanksgiving, and the pow-wows in tbe treatment of the sick which, I will describe in my next let ter to you. These ceremonies are only re tained by tbe least enlightened among vuoin, nuu, paruemariy among the cemi. noies, are last being abandoned. I have in this letter given you merely a general introduction to a description of the peo ple. In another letter I (shall tell you in greater detail .more about their home, life mm iue must marxea irons or tnelr char- 0ler' A. W. C. Job Prmti OF EVKKY DESCRIPTION, Neatly Executed on Bhort Notice, AT THE MOST Reasonable Rates, AT THE Steam Job Office, New Bloomfleld, Perry Co., Pa. IF YOU WANT A. JVent nnd .A-ttriietlvo PUBLIC SALE BILL ILLUSTRATED WITII CUTS, Printed in Colors, OR ON Fancy Colored Papers Call, or Send your Order TO THE Bloomftclir imc0 Steam Printing Office WI1EI1R ILL OROKRS A Kit PROMPTLY FILLED. IF YOU WANT A PLAIN OR FANCY LETTER HEAD, BILL HEAD, ENVELOPE, CHECK BOOK, CATALOGUES, PAMPHLETS, PAPER-BOOKS, Labels of every Description, LEGAL BLANKS, BLANK NOTES, PRICE LISTS, In all Styles and Colors, YOU CAN BB ACCOMMODATED AT THE Hloomfield Times J OI3 OFFICE ! We also have a fine variety of Cuts for Printing In good style, , Horse & Jack Bills ! IF YOU WANT A Neat amo Attractivc LETTER CIRCULAR, I MONTHLY STATEMENT, "' YISITING CARD, . PROGRAMME, OR WISH TO ADVERTISE Iu a Newspaper bat ing tbe Largest Circulation In this Section of the State, Rend your orders to llie "BtOOMHElO TIMES," IT You Winn A OOOD FAMILY NEWSPAPER tbat furnishes each week a variety of Interesting ri-MdniK mat ter, with a general summary of loreign ami Hume New, send 1.S3S .. For one years' Subscription to flu; Bloom field Times rt BMHHKI) AT M2W ELOCKHELD, FZEBY COTOTY PA. BLOOMFIELD TIE A Now Idea! .A. -SHUTTLE- Sewing Machine JPOJR. 50 Dollars ! ! FARMERS, MERCHANTS, MECHANICS, AND EVKUYBODV Bay tr3 WudiJ-Ranawnsd SlmtQa Sewins MacMne! II lli BEST IN THE WORLD! rrfTw Highest Premium wa awarded to it at . 1..1.0 rnirj Northern Ohio Falrt Amor. Institute, N. Y.t Cincinnati Exposition; Indlannpolis ExawiHoaf St. Louis Fair; iottiMium Stuto Fair; . Jiisslsslnpi Slato Fair; ami Oonrla State Fair; FOR i;t.lMG THE . BEST . SEWSKG HAGHIHES. ;'wl doing 1hi largest and best range ol' hoik. AH o(W Jlrliine l;i tlia Market were In dlivrt. COMPETITION ! ! ( -trior Hemm ing, Fell . in g, StiMUng, Cording, Minding, JJraidin g, Embroider! ii g. Quill ing an 1 $ilriin$ jinn or tii'ttrij goods it is tin sit if at :;sr d '. "Where wa have no Agents we will deliver a Machino tor tha price named abore, at the nearest Rail Bo4 Station of Purchasers. Needles for ail Sewing Ms chines for Sale Old Machines taken in Ext lian.; Send for Circulars, Price List, 4co., and Copy of th Wilson Reflector, one of th bast Periodicals of the day, deroted to Sewing Ma. cnines, Fashions, General News and Miscellany. Agents "Wanted Wilson Sewini Machine Co. ( LKVKLAM), OHIO. T23t $1fl in t9rt perday. Agents wanted everv. IU LU 6U W,er. Particulars free. A. If. HLA1K ft CO., Bt. Louls.lMo. T lfly TAD1E8 A ND C il I LD RE N will And a J splendid assortment of shoes at the old price store of V. Mortimer. A'L'irk iNnis b? job phintino " Jt. Nuallvfuncutedat the Bloomlleld Timet RAILROADS. f h Fladelph i aandTreadTng r. WINTEIl ARRANGEMENT. Jlontlny, Tov, 101U, 187. TKAIN8 LEAVE HARRIHBURO ASKOM.OWS : Kor New York, at 6.30, R.10 a. m. and 2.00 p. m, For l'lilladelphla, at 5.30, 8.10 a. m. 2.00 and 4.or p. m. For leading, at 5.30, 8.10 a. m. 2.00, 4.05 and 7.40 p.m. For Pottsvllle.at 5.30, 8.10a.m. and 4.05 p. m. and via tkhuylklll and Susquehanna Blanch at 3.00 p. m. For Allentown, at 6.30, 8.10 a. m. 2.00 and 7.40 p. in. The 5.30 a. in. and 2.01) p. m. trains have through cars for No York. The 8.10 a. m. nnd 2.00 p. in. trains have through cars (or Philadelphia. SUNDAYS : For New York, at 5.30 a. m. For Allentown and Way Stations at 5.30 a.m. For Heading, Philadelphia and Way citations at 2.00 p. in. ... TBA1NS FOB HARKISBURG, LEAVE AS FOL LOWS : Leave Now York, nt 9.00 a. m. 12.40 and 5.80 p. m. Leave Philadelphia, at 9.15 a. m. 3.30 and 7.15 P- m. i.eave iieaaing, at 4.1, .m, u.zu a. m. i.ou, c.uu and 10.15 p. in. lnve Pottsville, at 6.00, 0.10 a. m. and 4.35 p. m. and via Schuylkill aud Mutwiuehauna Branch at 8.05 a. in. Leave Allentown, at 2.10 a. m. 12.25, 4.35 and 8.55 p. m. The 2.10 a.m. train from Allentown and the 4.15 a. ni. train from Reading do uot run on Mon days. BUiVDAYS : , Iave New York, at 6.30 p. m. . Ieave Philadelphia, at 7.16 p. m. l,eave Reading, at 4.15, 7.40 a. in. and 10.15 p. m. Leave Allentuwn, 2.10 a. m. and 8.55 p. ni. J. K. WOOTTEN, General Superintendent. Reading, January 20, 1474. Pennsylvania R. R. Time Table. NEWPORT STATION. On and after November 1. 1R7.1. FMirnnar trains will run as follows: WEST. raelflc Express. 5.14 A. M. (flag) dally. Way Pass. 9.09 A. m.. dally. Mail 2.44 p. h. dally except Sunday. EAST. Mall 7.05 V. M., dally except Sunday Harrlsbuig Accum 12.22 p. M., dally " Sundav J.J. UAKULAX, Agent. DUNCANNON STATION. On and after Sundav. Nov. 2ml. 1R7.1 trti. leave Duucannon, as follows : WESTWARD. Pacific Express 4.45 a. m., (nag) dally. Way Passenger, 8.44 k M., dally Mall, 2-ltt p. M clafly except Sunday. Mixed, 6.10 p. M., dally except Sunday. EASTWA it TV Harls'hiirg Accom 12.65p.m., dallyexceptSunday Mail 7.37 P. M.,.. " wm. v. HINU, Agent. Stage Line Between Newport and Sew CTAC5E8 leave New (iermantown dally at four ' wm.,. ... in. unuuiguui K b t. av U. 111. Urtwa- purkatSa. m. New Bloomlield at9J a. ni. Arriving at Newport to connect with the Ac commodation train East. Returning leaves Newport on the arrival ot the Mail Trainfrum Philadelphia, at 2.30 p. m. l.. iwib. novrteior. Daily Express and Freight Line BKTWEEN BLOOMFIELD & NEWPORT! THEsnbscrlberwishes to notify the citizens of Bloomlleld and Newport that he Is running a pally Llue between these two places, and will haul . J " I .viii,i, uqiiici llAUAauco or messages entru.itedt his care. w.vruBriiiiiy nicn ior mm at the stores of F. Mortimer & Co., New Bloomlleld, or MilliganA Muaser, Newport, Pa. Bloomlleld, January 25, 1870. New Pension Law, SNDER an act of Congress approved March 3, 1H73, widows of olllcers who were killed, or of disease contracted In the service u,- nniu entitled to tZOO per mouth for each of their chil dien. The guardian of a minor child of a soldier who heretofore only received 88.00 per month pension ID,,.... i,.,, un, iu,, Jin 111,1111, Soldiers who receive Invalid pensions can now have their pensions Increased to any sum or rate between 18. and (18. per month. Soldiers who have hiHt their ! obtain duplicates. ratners aim motners wno lost sons In the serv ice uixin whom they were dependent for support, can also obtain pensions. The undersigned having had over 10 years ex perience in the Claim agency business will attend promptly to claim under the above act. van on or address LEWIS POTTER, Attorney for Claimants, New Bloomlleld, 20tf. Perry Co., Pa J, M. OIHVIN. J. U. OIDTIlt J M. GIHVIX ft SOJf, CommlMwion Merohanta, No. 8, SPEAR'S WHARF, It a 1 1 1 iii o r e . 9Id. m.Wc will nav Strict sttenllnn tn II, ! nf .1 kinds of country produce, and remit the amount promptly. 041y L.EBAN O 1ST Mutual Fire Insurance Company, or .ToitesKto-wn, l'cuu'a. POLICIES PERPETUAL at Low Rates. No Steam risks taken. 1'hU In nun nl tliA heat conducted and most reliable Companies In the nmie. iotiuvry proeriy lnsureu rerpetuaiiy at (4 00 per thousand, and Town property at (6 00 per thousand. LEWIS POTTER, NEW BLOOMFIELD, FA., 4 16 Agent for Perry County. OUR BtAUTlFULLV ILLUilKAIfcU CATALOGUES for 1874, of N., ...Vw.r4r.r I Piniil. anil routftiuiUL'tl flflnaUrraoolrtred nlatna. ra now rMlj. I fToouriMaU-unathsjr Ulto nulled into; K ll oinar. ua rvmiu i - wrvtura.nH4iaor PiuuU, wUh breiorUor.jN All ptvrtiuufn nf our uoM ur . iy UruvuiU( ior rrit , . r. J-YCftt afcuM L'Malojiu annually jrt o, ' ttsedimM, 39 Cortlnwft Strwt, New York, t, -. -:-1pia NTS 60 Am oiem ifou qIucc. i
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