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.
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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