Seminole Indians
The Whitakers were sympathetic to the local Indians and escaped slaves, in one case ferrying the fabled Seminole chief Billy Bowlegs across the river to their home where they brought him back to health from malaria. When Whitaker's wife asked the chief if he would kill her in times of aggression, Bowlegs assured her that if he did, he would do so quickly. That fragile relationship soured in early 1856 when Bowlegs became angered at the destruction of his gardens by United States troops. Soon after, the Indians attacked Braden Castle, and hostilities increased. Whitaker, securing his family at the fort in Manatee County, headed seventy miles to Peace Creek, the closest military detachment to convey the news of the attack. Not long after, the Whitaker home was burned to the ground with a friend inside, and many more homes followed. The Billy Bowlegs War lasted until 1858.
Read more about this topic: William Whitaker (pioneer)
Famous quotes related to seminole indians:
“In one notable instance, where the United States Army and a hundred years of persuasion failed, a highway has succeeded. The Seminole Indians surrendered to the Tamiami Trail. From the Everglades the remnants of this race emerged, soon after the trail was built, to set up their palm-thatched villages along the road and to hoist tribal flags as a lure to passing motorists.”
—For the State of Florida, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)