Sullivan's Island Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

9 www.SullivansIslandMagazine.com | www.SullivansIslandHomes.com On one occasion, the warrior and some of his tribesmen were taken into Charleston to attend a play at a downtown theater. In his book, “Charleston Curiosities,” Michael Coker writes that these special guests, especially Osceola, dressed in traditional attire, attracting more attention from the theater-goers than the actors or the performance itself. Coker also maintains that Dr. Weedon apparently established a somewhat amicable relationship with the Seminole leader, and, when he lay dying, Osceola extracted a promise from Dr. Weedon that his body be returned to his homeland upon his death. Decades ago, a relic hunter claimed he had discovered the remains of Osceola in Florida. That report prompted authorities at Fort Moultrie to open the grave, and it was determined the actual remains, sans the head, were where they’d always been – at the fort. However, there was a surprise: An infant was interred with Osceola. Dawn Davis, a spokesperson for the National Park Service, explained that there were Seminole women held captive at the fort, so perhaps one of them gave birth. But there is no written information to confirm the child’s identity. Davis said Osceola’s grave is part of the overall story of Fort Moultrie, just as the history of the African slave trade is represented there with historical markers and exhibits. “A lot of visitors are surprised to see Osceola’s grave here, but it is the job of the Park Service to include different chapters of the fort’s history,” Davis said. “If visitors want to learn more, they can pick up a copy of a site bulletin detailing Osceola’s story, and one of the park rangers periodically gives special talks about him.” Members of the Seminole tribe visited the fort this spring to pay their respects at Osceola’s grave, and, 20 years ago, a special ceremony was held on-site by a group of Seminoles. But the local gravesite has been honored by another Native American tribe, too. In 1914, a band of Blackfeet Indians from Montana stopped by the burial site during a weekend stay in Charleston before performing traditional dances for the public on the Isle of Palms. This October, the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center will be hosting a special program which focuses on the story of Osceola through the eyes of one of his two wives, an African-American woman named Morning Dew. The program’s producer, Carol Antman, stated that what started out as a small idea has taken on a life of its own. “It will be an interactive experience with multiple performances taking place on different stages at the same time,” Antman said. “Attendees will move from one vignette to another.” Pure Theater has written the script, and renowned artist Jonathan Green is designing the costumes. There will be an art installation by Kris Manning, and Delia Chariker will be performing Native American music on flute and drum. Antman explained, “The idea is to portray the common thread of this story from the past with the subjugation and annihilation seen in much of today’s world.” The National Park Service has contributed much of the funding for the October event. According to the NPS site bulletin, the story of Osceola’s capture and subsequent death parallels the struggle of Native Americans in being forced from their traditional homeland. Davis added, “The grave of Osceola is a place for the conversation to begin.” [ Feature ] Osceola, leader of the Seminoles. Photo courtesy of archive.org. Photo by Mary Coy.