Most folks who live in Fort Lauderdale have a vague idea that the town was established originally as a “Fort” to put down a Native American uprising during the Seminole Wars. What’s not commonly known is the fact that the skirmish here in Broward wasn’t started by the Native Americans, but by settlers who killed Chief Alabama near the New River. The killers were apprehended by Justice of Peace Cooley and tried in Key West, but the Court would not let the Indian witnesses testify, as they were not considered to be “persons”. The defendants were released due to a lack of evidence. As a result, the Native Americans placed blame on Cooley for the outcome of the trial.
Chief Oseola, who was fighting the Army in the Ocheechobee area, traveled to Broward in order to retaliate and kill Cooley. Unfortunately for Cooley’s family, Cooley was not at home when the Indians arrived, and his wife and children were murdered. As a result of this incident, the Army dispatched Major Lauderdale to secure the area. Multiple forts were built, one of which was likely in downtown Fort Lauderdale near the current day railroad tracks and the New River.
Major Lauderdale had previously made a name for himself as an “Indian fighter” alongside General Andrew Jackson. As President, Jackson later moved the Native American population from the southern states to new reservations in the west via the Trail of Tears. This effort was brutal, and in fact violated then-existing treaties, as well as Supreme Court rulings.
I have my own small connection to this story. As a young lawyer, I acquired through condemnation the Long Key Ridge in Davie – part of the Pine Island Ridge – where the last battle in Broward occurred. Major Lauderdale pulled his cannons through the everglades to Long Key Ridge, and commenced fire into the encampment there on higher ground. The residents fled, and there were no known casualties.
Today there is a statue of Major Lauderdale located at the entrance of the Pine Island Ridge Development, and Cooley’s Landing on the New River in Fort Lauderdale is named for Cooley. Currently, there is no known recognition for Chief Alabama.