E-Mail to the Editor
Dear Editor,
The other day I was looking at some pictures of the cattle drive-roundup and saw a man by the name of Richard Bowers. He has got to be kin to my friend who was killed many years ago and was a member of your Tribe. His name was Leon Bowers and I met him while attending college at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga.
We became close friends and he came home with me to visit my family many weekends. On a certain weekend I was coming home from school and I went by to see Leon where he worked. He couldn’t leave that weekend because he had to work. When I returned to school that Sunday afternoon, a mutual friend told me that Leon had been in an accident on the campus and was at Phobe-Putney hospital.
We had major tests that week and several of us chose to wait and visit Leon at the end of the week. I remember while eating in the cafeteria the school made an announcement that Leon was awake and recognized his family. Some of his friends and I were relieved and were going to see him the next day.
Later it was announced that Leon had died. I still remember that day and regret so that I didn’t go on to see him, but we had no idea that he would die.
Those same friends and I made the trip to the reservation and attended Leon’s funeral and it was very hard for me. It was the first time I had lost a friend to death and it took a long time to get over. When we were there someone found out that we were from Leon’s school and wanted us to speak. The guys wanted me to do the honors but I was too upset. I regret that too, I would have like to let those people know what a good person Leon was and what a good friend he had been to us all.
Leon had told me about the cattle drive and wanted me to come home with him to participate but I never got the chance. I still think of him often and to his family of whom some of them we met at his funeral. Leon was a good friend and I miss him still today.
Sincerely,
Donnie Haskins
Dear Editor,
This is just a short thank you note to Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Steele for taking the time at the Miconopy painting unveiling to talk to me about the old fort locations in Florida. It was late in the day as things were winding down at the museum. I couldn’t absorb enough, as we talked, and really appreciate your time.
In those few short few minutes we talked, a hundred new doors opened to me. It was absolutely fascinating and again, I appreciate your time and the sharing of your knowledge.