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FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT
Miami, Florida
Mabel B. Francis
4 Pages
6°0 Words
MIKE OSCEOLA
Seminoles
November 15, 1938
Mike Osoeola, son of William McKinley Osceola, and direct
descendant of Chief Osceola of Seminole War fame, entered Miami
Senior High Sohool in September 1937. Mike had spent most of
his life at the Masa Isle Indian Village, a oommeroial village
on the bank of the Miami River at N.W. 25th Avenue and 16th
Street.
From early childhood, Nike was encouraged by his father to
learn the white man's language and customs. When game or alli—
gators were caught, William McKinley taught Mike to oount them,
add, subtract, and divide them. A few catalogues suoh as Sears
Roebuok and Western Auto Supply Co. were collected. Mike liked
the pictures and his father, ambitious for his son, taught him
the English word under the picture.
By the time he was sixteen, Mike knew a number of English
words by sight although he knew nothing of an alphabet or the
parts of speech.
He was eager to go to a white school, however, so arrange
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manta were made to allow him to enter High School. He was too
large and too old to go to an elementary or junior high school.
So Mike's first day at school occurred at 16 instead of six, at
High School instead of elementary. His teachers were very in-
terested and cooperative.
The first difficulty lay in the choice of subjects to be
studied. Except for a little sight reading such as first grade
children do, Mike could not read. The English teacher stayed
after school each day and taught him the simplest words and fun-
damentals of grammar. He knew nothing of mathematics except the
practical knowledge learned at the village. About other sub-
jects, he knew nothing.
After consultation with the principal and teachers, Mike
was allowed to deviate from the regular required courses and
study Business Arithmetic, Biology, English, Mechanical Draw-
ing and Manual Training. In all of these studies, except Eng-
lish, he ranks with the average student. English is more diffi-
cult, although he does fairly well in that subject.
Because of his great strength and size, he is permitted to
play football. The coach noticed that Mike did not seem to put
the pep and enthusiasm into his playing that the other boys did
so he asked why. Mike said, "I'm afraid I hurt the little white
fellows."
After a recent trip to Jacksonville with the football team
he met Mr. Thomas, the principal, in the school corridor. 'Well,
Mike, did you have a good time in Jacksonville?' asked Mr. Thomas.
'Sure,' replied Mike. 'And did you all behave yourselves?' Mr.
Thomas asked. feeetpiemolge Mike stopped dead still and answered
solemnly, "Sure, I always behave myself."....Meh.obewe...bhm4-he
te—ireopy.444avairldiatte.%
Mk.. Thomas states that Mike's attitude toward the other
boys is a very casual, natural one, They accept him as one of
themselves. He eats, with great relish, the food provided in the
cafeteria, and dresses neatly. Usually he wears dark shirts,
mostly navy or black, and dark trousers. His personal habits are
perhaps a bit above the average.
With girls, he is more or less aloof. They regard him as
they would a Cuban or any alien.
Although Mike shove a tendency to patronize his own people,
if they think he is to play in a football game, they come to the
stadium. He does not go to parties and his people have never
come to any meeting at the school.
Mr. Thomas says Mike will never graduate from High School
though he has yearnings to be a lawyer. According to Mr. Thomas
it is doubtful that Nike could learn Latin or Geometry although
he has made amazing progress during the past year. Few white
children could enter school for the first time at 16 and adapt
themselves as quickly as Mike has. He will be 18 years old on
February 21, 1939.
REFEREN0104: Cl) Interview: Mt. 1/4*Thomas, principal
Miami Senior High Sohool.
Interview: Mrs. J.A.Gampbell, Mhsalsle
Indian Tillage, N.111.25th Ave. and 16th St„
Miami, Fla.
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