The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-04
MILLIONAIRE spLITLoG.
Some Of the Curious Personal Traits
of the " ealthiest Indian.
From the Denver Nelcs

Some OF the Curious Personal Traits
| of the " ealthiest Indian.
| From the DenUer Nelcs
have just returned from a trip through
Arkansas and Indian Territory, and in the
course of my travels l met what l never
| expected to see in this world-a millionaire
| Indian. lad heard of this unique per-
sonage. but was not prepared to meet such
a strange combination of opulence and ieno.
rance. He is known as Matthias SplitIog.
| the chief of the Wyandotte tribe, and is a
powerfully built man, five feet
eight inches tall, with swarthy
countenance, but not the high-cheek bones
usually found in the Indian. This is ac-
counted for from the fact that Split e is a
half-breed, having been born in Canada
and afterwards adopted into the Wyandotte
tribe in 1913, before its removal from
Northern Ohio to the west. Splitlog is now
70 years old and cannot read or write, He
speaks English impsrfectly, but is great
money getter and is constantly growing
richer by the advance upon the thousands
of acres of land which he owns in South
western Missouri and the Indian Terri
tory.
A story will give an idea of the old chiefs
manner of transacting business About two
years ago a syndicate of Kansas City CAPT.
talists persuaded him to part with 40 acres
Of land on the Kaw bottoms, between the
two Kansas Citys, for $40, 900. The trade
was to be completed at one of the banks on
Minnesota avenue, Kansas City, Kan, at 10
O'Clock on certain morning. Promptly a
few minutes before the time Splitog walked
into the bank and took a seat He kept his
eye on the clock, and as the other party had
not yet materialized, the chief put on his
hat and started down the avenue. AT short
distance he met the capitalists on their way
to close the bargain. They said they were
ready for business.
mot to-day" replied the chief.
Knowing that persuasion would be USE
less, they asked when he would meet them.
Tomorrow, 10 O'Clock" was the laconic
response
At 10 o'clock all were present at the bank.
Cant sell for $4,000; must have $780,
900" said the Wyandotte chief.
The surprised purchasers held hastv
council and decided that they must hustle
up the 100000 or the figures would go still
higher. They raised $4,000 more and
counted out the money in crisp greenbacks.
As the chief saw the money he shook his
head.
Cant take paper, must have gold" said
he.
Quickly half a dozen hacks were called
and the banks Of Kansas City were ran
sacked for the required amount of the vel
low metal After it was fixed upon a table
before the chief he paved it over like a
miser and then said:
'Give 'em decd
The money was deposited in the bank, but
Splitwood would have opened his eyes had
he seen the same hacks used in collecting
the gold, receiving it back and being driven
rapidly back to Missouri. The 40 acres of
land is now selling at the rate of 81, 900, 900
and proved one Of the best speculati0ns ever
entered into at the mouth of the Kaw.
Splitlog is married and has seven children.
He never stops at hotel when visiting
Kansas City, KAN, where he Owls valu-
able property, but always puts up with a
negro who is one Of his tenants. One of
Spitlog's daughte is married TO negro.
He is building a railroad in Southwest Mis-
souri, In religion he Is Roman Catholic
There is rather peculiar history given Of
the origin Of his name. At the time of his
birth his mother was at work with other
Indian women In field near log that had
been split. AS she gave birth 10 him near
that log he was christened "Splitlog." He
is still robust and active and bids fair TO live
to great age.