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The Calusa's were a once powerful tribe of Indians who were giants in size. The remnants of these people took advantage of the Seminole wars in Florida and took part in many raids. Dr. Henry Perrine, the first Plant explorer, had a federal grant to establish a tropical agricultural center in southern Florida. He was killed along with thirteen others, when Chekika led a raid on their settlement in 1841. They left in their loaded canoe's leaving the island in ashes. In the Indian Key massacre the previous year, Chekika and Billie Bowlegs II, a lieutenant of Sam Jones, had attacked thirty-two troopers under the command of Colonel William S. Harney. Harney was there guarding a store on the Caloosahatchee river set up to trade with peaceful Indians. Eighteen of the men were killed and Harney escaped in his underwear. Harney left Fort Dallas (now Miami) with ninety men dressed as Indians to hunt Chekika. The Indians were surprised and Chikika was shot and hanged with his warriors.Chekika
Calusa Raider
Billy Bowlegs II
Sam Jones was a fearless Miccosukee medicine man sometimes called "Sam Jones-Be-Damned". His Indian name was Arpeika. He was in his seventies when the Seminole wars began and he refused any white mans terms for leaving Florida or surrendering. He shot any of his followers who weakened. After hearing that Colonel Harney had killed his friend Chikika, and hung the Indians who rode with him, he ordered white captives burned alive. This was a cruel death but it stopped the Indian hangings. The Army was ordered to bring Sam Jones in through any means. He was never captured and died in his 90's in Big Cypress Swamp surrounded by many of his followers.
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