Billy Bowlegs | |
---|---|
Holata Micco (Alligator Chief) | |
Personal details | |
Born | c. 1810 Paynes Prairie, Florida |
Died | c. 1859 (aged 48-49) Oklahoma, United States |
Mother tongue | Muscogee |
Holata Micco (a Muscogee name translated as Alligator Chief, also spelled Halpatter-Micco, Halbutta Micco, Halpuda Mikko; known in English as Chief Billy Bowlegs or Billy Bolek; c. 1810 – 1859)[1][2] was a leader of the Seminoles in Florida during the Second Seminole War and was the remaining Seminole's most prominent chief during the Third Seminole War, when he led the Seminoles' last major resistance against the United States government. With the possibilities of military victory dwindling, he finally agreed to relocate with his people to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in 1858. As part of the settlement, he was paid $6,500 plus $1,000 each for the subchiefs and $100 each for the women and children who went with him.[3] Several sources claim that he is buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, but it is disputed whether the grave marked "Captain Billy Bowlegs" is actually his or that of a different Billy Bowlegs.[4]