White Cloud, the war chief of the Seminoles of the Everglades, in the beginning of the last century, starts a war on the "whites," for the brutal and unprovoked murder of his brother. The first victim, Seth Thomas, a young settler, is killed, and Dora, his wife, becomes insane as she discovers the death of her husband and the loss of her two-year-old baby, carried away by the squaw of White Cloud. Dora has been left for dead by the Indians. Fifteen years elapse and Dora has been haunted by one idea, to kill every Seminole she could. She is called the "Witch of the Everglades," and is an object of superstitious terror to the Indians.
Acting
Kathlyn Williams' wordless transformation from wife to vengeful spirit.
Cinematography
Actual Florida Everglades locations—no studio fakery in 1911.
Director
Otis Turner
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was part of 1911's 'Indian drama' craze, where white audiences paid to see 'authentic' Native suffering played by white actors in elaborate costumes—except the Everglades here are real, and so is the exploitation.
Kathlyn Williams became a major star through 'The Adventures of Kathlyn' serial; this early role already shows her gift for suffering magnificently on camera. Only one known print survives, held at EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam.
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