Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-05-23
PROSPEROUS INDIANS.



Besides Lands and Cattle They own AIilIioni
of Hard Dollars.
Usis-Tah Wah-Tin-Kah, chief of the
Osages, with a small party, was in the
city this morning. The company, in ad-
dition to the chief, consisted of Cyprian
Tayrien and Paul Aiken, who are half
breeds and talk English very well.
Strike Axe. Eto-Kah. Wah-Tin-K ao and
Um-Bago Fo-IIan-Non. They are re-
turning FRI Il Washington whore they
have been as a delegation from their
tribe to treat with the Government CON
corning their annuity. The 0sages are
the richest people in the world. There
are only about 1000 in the tribe and
they own one and one-half million acres
of land in the Territory. on which hey
have large herds of cattle. Then they
lease their land TO cattle men and derive
an income of 100000 per annum, which
Is used in running their government.
But the greater part of their wealth is
in cold cash in the vaults of the Treas
ury Department. The original grant to
the tribe was eight million acres of land
in Southern Kansas. by the treaty OF
1866 they were paid Sl25 per acre for
this land, and were also given their
present reservation OF the amount of
the purchase price about eight million
dollars is now placed to the credit of
the tribe not one cent of which they can
touch but are paid interest at the rate
Of per cent For some reason they
have not been receiving the full amount
OF the interest and there has accumu-
lated almost a million dollars. drawing
no infRrpEt nd RON, ', t,.ee f.lfn l..
the business which has taken the dele
CATION TO Washington. They were there
eleven days and made satisfactory ar
engagements, the Department promising
that II the condition of the tribe was as
satisfactory as represented they would
increase the amount of the annuity un-
tai this accrued interest was all paid
Paul Aiken and Cyprian Tayrien, the
half breeds, are educated and intelli-
gent men and talked freely TO a reporter
regarding the condition OF their people.
Our tribe at present is neither increas-
Ing nor decreasing in numbers, but it is
at standstill, =" they said THE old
ones, who are full bloods, cling to the
traditions and superstitions of their
tribe and viii never probably discard
their blankets and fringed legpings.
But they are willing for their children
to be educated and the young people are
taking great interest in education
Their progress is good, and when the
next generation is in power the Osages, /
instead Of being the least civilized tribe
In the Territory, wall be among the
leaders OF civilization.
I'VE elect chief every two wears.
and the country is divided into ave dis
tricts, from each of which representa-
tives are elected to our council, which
Is our Legislative body. We have officers
corresponding to sheriffs and constables
who administer the law and preserve
order. Our people are almost unani-
mously opposed To the allotment of their
land In severalty, feeling that at pres |
emit instead Of being benefit 1t would .
work harm They are satisfied with the 4
present condition of things and desire to /
remain as they are. However, they look .
with friendly eyes ON the opening of the /
Cherokee outlet to settlement by the I
whites They wanted Oklahoma opened /
and think white neighbors benefit. 4
They have no rights on the land now (
rendered useless and would prefer it
settled by whites than held by the
Cherokees, Our chief Is full-blood as
is also our council. The full-bloods are
In power on account of their majority.
and the progress Of the tribe Is retarded
on this account 1t will not DO SO when
the young and educated class get into
power, ~ Kansas City Star