Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-09-13
A WEALTHY lNnlAM
Old SPlitlOg of the wyandottes Worth a Bic
Pile Of Money.


Pile Of Money.
have just returned from a trim
through Arkansas and Indian Territory
and in the course OF my travels met
what l never expected to see in this
World-a millionaire Indian. had
heard OF this unique parsonage, but was
not prepared to meet such a strange
combination of opulence and Ignorance
de is known as Matthias Splitlop. the
chief of the Wyandotte tribe. and Is a
powerfully built man feet 8 inches
tall, with a swarthy countenance. but
not the high cheek-bones usually found
in the Indian. This is accounted for from
the TACT that Splitlog is a half-breed
having been born in Canada and after
wards adopted into the Wyandotte tribe
in ls4S, 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,
out Is great money-getter, and is con-
stantiy growing richer by the advance
upon the thousands OF acres OF land
winch he owns in Southwestern Mis-
NAAO VIC lliuldn 1GrrltOrV,
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 40 acres OF land on the
haw bottoms, between the two Kansas
Citys, for $4,000 The trade was to he
completed at one of the banks on Min
nesota avenue, Kansas City. Kan, at
ten O'Clock on a certain MORNING
Promptly few minutes before the me
Splltlog walked into the bank and took
a seat. He kept his eye on the clock.
and as the hands pointed to the hour of
ten' and the other party had not vet
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.
Not to-day" replied the chief
knowing that persuasion would be
useless they asked when he won d meet
them.
Tomorrow, ten o'clock" was the
laconic response
AT ten O'Clock all were present at the
bank.
Cant sell for S14O, 900; must have
$3.50, 900, said the Wyandotte chief.
The surprised purchasers held hastv
council and dec ded that they must
hustle up the $3.50, 900 or the figures
would go still higher They raised
$50, 900 more and counted out the money
in crisp greenbacks As the chief saw
the paper money he shook his head.
Cant take paper; must have gold, /"
said he.
Quickly half a dozen hacks were
cal ed, and the banks of Kansas CITY
were ransacked for the required amount
OF the ye low metal. After it was fixed
upon table before the oh eft he paved
1t over like m ser, and then said
Give 'em deed"
The money was deposited in the bank,
but Spitlog would have opened his
eyes had he seen the same hacks used
in collecting the gold, rece wing it again
and being driven rapidly back to Mis-
souri,. That I40 acres of land is now
selling at the rate of $4,000, 900, 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 a hotel
when sitting Kansas City Kan, where
be owns valuable property but always
puts up with negro, who is one of his
tenants One Of Splitlog's daughters Is
married to negro. He is building a
railroad in Southwest Missouri. In re-
Hgion he is a 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 to
him near that log he was christened
''Splitlog" He is still robust and act
i've and b DIS fair to live to great age.
Denver Coll News