Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-12-24
A WEALTHY INDIAN TRIBE.

Their Riches Due to q Succession OF Fs-
vorabie eCIrcumstances-Civil
The Usage is the wealthiest tribe Of
Indians in the United States This is
Aus not so much to their personal abil-
nv as financiers as to succession of fa-
vorable circumstances and to the good
guardianship of the United States gov
srnment. The Osages long years ago
occupied the country about ST. Louis.
They were removed from there to q
reservation at Westport. No., near Kan
sas City, then to the valley of the Neo-
sho, then to reservation in southern
Kansas, and finally to their present
home in Indian territory. The Osages
were powerful tribe. and to. get them
off of coveted lands Uncle Sam seems
10 have been willing to pay them more
literally than the other wards of the ma
ton. In this way the Osages come into
their present possessions, which include
. tract of land in Indian territory fifty
miles square, or about 100000 acres,
and an annuity of $25O.0OO This is the
interest on United States bonds given
them in exchange for their former lands
In Kansas and Missouri and held in trust
by the government which pays the an
nuity in semi annual payments.
There are about 100 families, averag-
ing about four to family-a total Of
about 600 people. Out of this interest
fund thsIndians draw sl6j a year for
each man, woman and child-so that
the larger his family the more the head
Of q family is enabled to draw. This
system would apparently foster a rapid
increase of population, but, strange to
say, the full-blood Indians are decreas-
ing in numbers. The full-blood families
ere small and the tribe is doomed to ex-
tinction. This is probably due to two
cause.-the changed physical condition
Of their life and the loss of all ambition
as a race. The wild Indian was fine
specimen of robust physical develop
ment, with great enduring powers. He
could face any storm, brave the most
vigorous weather, endure the tolls and
privations of the march and camp. Ma
ture, somehow, took care of him, healed
Has Wouuus, duu "dtucu oii uisedoc'
But now, taken from his native heath.
cut off from much that was part of his
physical existence, his territory circum-
scribed, compelled by superior force to
keep the peace with neighboring tribes.
coaxed to adopt the habits, food, the
customs, and the dress Of the white
man, compelled to send his children to
school, and too often tempted to adopt
the white mans vices-with all these
changed conditions he is changed be-
ing.
As he has deserted nature. nature now
deserts him. He is more susceptible to
disease. The wild Indian could be care.
less in dress and Indifferent to exposure,
but on the reservation it is different. II
he gets his feet wet or sleeps on the
ground, lie is liable to ''catch cold" like
his white brother. They are subject to
lung troubles. Some are consumptive.
This and the smallpox and other dis
eases are decimating their ranks. Ten
years ago there were 5000 Osages; to-
day only little over half that number.
The mothers die prematurely. You find
comparatively few old squaws. The
tribe being rich as a community very
few OF the men will work. They live in
idleness, and that is fatal to longevity
based upon active outdoor life.-Cor.
Burlington Hawkeye.