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Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 63 The sad fature of their history is that Rocky Boy, after leading hLr people through the wildernaae for many years, died juat.before they entered the pro~nised land. Their new home h a wild country that would appeal but little to white settlers, hut they are making rapid progress. From reimbmble funds Comukioner Sells has provided breeding stock, and a Government farmer is directing their efforts at stock &g and agriculture. The problem of the Florida Seminolea, of whom there are less than 600, h now clsim-ing the pemonal attention of the commissioner. Ha h the 6mt Government offib1 to obtain their conaent to place their children in sehml, and a small Government institution with an In& teacher will he opened at Indian Town, Fls., this year. Many thinm are now in DrceDect for the heretofore neelected Seminoles. I i'kmiiiousr Selh h& recently arranged to send inspector to inveetigate and report cnnditions amonr the Alabama Indiana of Polk Colmtv. Tex.. and hae exormd I&in tention of aiding them long overlooked but worthy people. The fokotten fellow h for the first time receiving the attention of the Government. SEMINOLE INDIANS IN FLORIDA. As. a result of the earnest and untiring efforts of friends of the Indians, the Legislature of Florida, on May 9, 1917, created a reser-vation of approximately 100,000 acres for the Seminoles of this State. The act provided that the trustees of the International Improvement Fund should convey to the board of commissioners of State institutions the title to this land in trust for their perpetual use and benefit. As late as October 8, according to advice from Gov. Catts, this conveyance had not been made; however such action doubtless will be taken in due time. This provision for the native Americans of Florida probably marks the passing of a crisis with which these Indians have for many years been confronted. Their hunting grounds are now apparently safe from further encroachments and will helpfully sene them until they can be induced to take up agricuiture as a permanent means of self-support. During the period from 1895 to 1900 some 23,063 acres of land in southern Florida were purchased for the benefit of these Indians, with money appropriated by Congress, and by Executive order of June 28, 1911, 3,680 acres of public land, adjacent to the Everglades in southern Florida, were withdrawn for their benefit, making a total of 126,743 acres now available for the use of the Seminoles. Hunting, particularly catching alligators, is the present source of the greater part of the Indians' income. It has lately developed that the hide of an alligator is approximately ten times more valuable after being tanned than when green. This fact has moved me to consider the establishment of a tannery at which the Indians could have hides of all kinds prepared for market. Investigation shows that with the prevailing high prices such an industry would require the expenditure of approximately $4,500, and in addition to insuring proper prices for hides would he an important factor in bringing |
