The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-19
A WEALTHY INDIAN.
Old Splitlog of the WyandOttes Worth Big
Pile of Money.

u
Pile of Money.
/ have Just returned from q trip
through Arkansas and Indian Territory,
and in the course of my travels met
what never expected to see in this
world-a millionaire Indian. I had
heard of this unique parsonage. but was
not prepared to meet such strange
combination of opulence and ignorance.
He is known as Matthias Splitlog, the
chief of the Wyandotte tribe. and is q
powerfully built man feet inches
tall, with swarthy countenance, but
not the high cheek-bones usually found
in the Indian. This is accounted for from
the fact that Splitlog is a half-breed,
having been born in Canada and after
wards adopted into the Wyandotte tribe
In 1S43, before its removal from North
ern Ohio to the West Splitlog is now
| seventy years old, and can not read or
write. He speaks English imperfectly,
but Is great money-getter, and is con-
stantiy growing rcher by the advance
upon the thousands of acres of land
which he owns in Southwestern Mis-
souri, and the Indian Territory
| A story will give an idea of the old
chiefs manner of transacting business
About two years ago synd cate OF
Kansas City capitalists persuaded him
to part with 140 acres of land on the
Kaw bottoms, between the two Kansas
Citys, for $140,0 The trade was to be
comp. eted at one of the banks on Min
nesota avenue, Kansas City Kan, at
ten o'clock on a certain morning
Promptly few minutes b,fore the me
Splitlog walked into the bank and took
seat He kept his eye on the clock.
and as the hands pointed to the hour OF
ten, and the other party had not yet
materialized, the chief put on his hat
and started down the avenue. At a
short distance he met the capitalists on
their way to close the barga n. They
said they were ready for bus ness.
mot to-day" rep led the chief
Knowing that persuasion would be
useless they .sked when he wou d meet
them.
Tomorrow. ten O'clock" was the
laconic response.
At ten o'c. ock al were present at the
bank.
Cant soil for $40, 900; must have
Sl6O, 600" sa the Wyandotte chief.
The surpr sed purchasers held hasty
council and dec ded that they must
hustle up the $780, 900 or the figures
would go still higher. They raised
$40, 900 more and counted out the money
in crisp greenbacks. AS the chief slu
the paper money he shook his head
Cant tate paper; must have gold,'
said he.
Quickly half dozen hacks were
cal ed, and the BANKS of Xmas CITY
were rams lcked for the required amount
OF the We low metal. After it was fixed
upon table before the CHI eff he paved
it over like m ser, and then said:
''Give 'em deed"
The money was deposited in the bank
but Sp'itlog would have opened his
eyes had he seen the same hacks used
in collect ng the gold rece wing it again
and being driven rapidly back to Mis-
souri,. That 40 acres of land is now
selling at the rate of $4,000, 600, and
proved one of the best speculations
ever entered into at the mouth of the
Kaw.
Splitlog is married and has seven
children. He never stops at hotel
when sitting Kansas City. Kan. where
he owns valuable property but always
puts up with negro, who is one of his
tenants. One of Splitlog's daughters is
married to a negro. He is building a
railroad in Southwest Missouri In re-
ligion he is Roman Catholic. There
is rather peculiar history given of the
origin Of his name. At the me of his
birth his mother was at work with other
Indian women in field near a log that
had been split. AS she gave birth to
him near that log he was christened
''Splitlog.' He is still robust and act
i've and DIS fair to live to great age
Denver (Col.) News.