Indian Territory Freedmen History Month-Caesar Bruner

 Caesar Bruner Creek Freedman Card #740

Caesar Bruner Photo Courtesy of Susie Moore

Caesar Bruner comes from what historian Kevin Mulroy calls “Seminole maroons.” Bruner is purported to have been born around 1828 in Florida and was part of the Seminole migration that eventually settled in Indian Territory.  

Seminole Freedman Card#740 front

The Bruner’s were a successful and wealthy livestock owning family within the Seminole Nation. One of Caesar’s relatives, Ben Bruner became the leader of the Jim Lane band of the Seminole tribe following the Civil War which later became known as the Bruner Band and subsequently Caesar Bruner became the band leader as he came to be the most known and respected of the Seminole leaders. To this day the Caesar Bruner Band exists in the Seminole Nation. 

Caesar Bruner was among the many Seminole’s who were considered Loyalist and some enlisted in the Union Army. The Loyal Seminoles presented claims to the United States following the war for lost property and this is one of the reasons the Bruner’s maintained their wealth following the Civil War.

Senate Document #72 (55th Congress, 3rd Session)Jim Lane/Caesar Bruner Band

Following the Civil War Freedmen in the Seminole Nation became an integral part of the nation and held positions as blacksmiths, religious leaders, interpreters, store owners, guides, politicians and many other important positions of responsibilities as citizens in their nation. Caesar Bruner was no exception. He was credited with having the first “Negro” store in the county.”

Seminole Producer February16, 1941 p9c2

As the leader of the Band that bore his name he had a responsibility to attend council meetings and represent his nation. Without question Caesar Bruner was a leader in his community as well as an interpreter and religious leader. He moved his band to an area that later became known as Brunertown. His home was one of the first and last standing log homes in that community. According to some records Caesar Bruner and his family were also known as some of the best cattle ranchers in the area. 

Seminole County News November 28, 1946 p4c6

The Caesar Bruner Band as were all freedmen within the Seminole Nation, were given “equal rights” in the nation following the War of Rebellion through Reconstruction and up to Oklahoma statehood. As a political entity within the Seminole Nation the Caesar Bruner Band and the Dosar Barkus Band maintained their role in representing their freedmen constituency within the Seminole Nation.

One of the critical decisions Caesar Bruner had to make during Reconstruction was the relocation of the people who lived in the Bruner Town settlement near Salt Creek to establish it at Turkey Creek. As stated earlier the Bruner’s engaged in raising livestock and the encroachment of nearby cattle rustler’s was the main cause of the relocation.

Around 1879 when Caesar Bruner moved his band to Turkey Creek he also assumed leadership of the Jim Lane Band and the band began to bear his name. As statehood approached in 1906, Caesar’s son "Ucum" Bruner replaced him as leader but the band retained the name and to this day it remains the Caesar Bruner Band of Seminole Indians. 

There has to be a sense of disappointment for many who are members of the Seminole Nation especially those in the Caesar Bruner and Dosar Barkus Bands because they don’t share the same status as citizens in the nation of this great leader.

 Caesar Bruner had a vital role in the maintenance of the Seminole nation and his descendants have been relegated as mere second class citizens one where their ancestors fought for the very survival of the nation during the so called Indian Wars in Florida. These same individuals remained loyal to the United States during the War of the Rebellion and again, it is shameful how the Seminole nation treats its citizens who proudly claim their history as the Caesar Bruner  Band.

Seminole County News June 28, 1923 p5c1