Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-06
SOME WEALTHY INDIANS
Those on the Usage Reservation the Rich
est in the World.
Houses That Would Grace a WASH
inxton Avenue-White Servants
Government Payments.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
September 3, 1894.
The past fortnight has been an important
epoch to the 800 Osages who live upon this
reservation. The annual election of officers,
which is usually attended with much in
terest, was an event Of more than ordinary
importance to the big chiefs of the nation.
In the contest, which was exciting and
animated. Jim Bigheart was chosen chief,
and Bob Whitehorn assistant The nation
is divided into districts instead of counties,
and the councilmen and sheriffs chosen
were as follows: Pawhuska district, Pv-a-
hun-kah. Saucy Chief and c. n. Prudom;
sheriff. Edward Chotea. Salt Creek dis
trfct, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Peter Big
heart and Tsa-mah-hah; sheriff. Thomas
Tall Chief. Claremore district, O. lo-ha -wally,
Claremorc and E-she-hau-here; sheriff
Henry Pratt. Black Dog district. Black
Dog, He-scah-moie and Ma-she-tah-moie;
sheriff, Webster. Caney district, Julian
Trumbly, Joseph Boulanger and W. 7.
Leahy; sheriff, Charles Revelette.
Pawhuska is a typical Indian village.
This is the headquarters Of all the big
chiefs, and ii is here that the plans are laid
for legislation by the Indian council. This
place is very near the center of the finest
body Of land in the entire Indian country
The Usage reservation embraces over 1900
square miles, and more than one million
acres. which will, sooner or later, be opened
D settlement.
The Osages are the richest tribe of In
dams in the world. There are not more
than 500 men, women and children, but they
receive annually from the government about
$50 for each member of the tribe in in
terest on the purchase price of lands sold
many years ago. While there is an induce
ment for the Osages to raise large families
the tribe is steadily decreasing in numbers,
and IL Will not be many years before the
race is extinct. In addition to their an
nual interest received from the government
they derive large sum each year from the
rental of their lands to cattlemen for graz
ing purposes.
The Usage Indians are constitutionally
lazy. They realize that they do not have
to work, that the government will provide
for them. so they spend their days in idle
Eess. III they squander all their money this
year they will have plenty next year and
soone' or later their million acres of lands
viii be sold to the government and that
Will swell their income to a large sum-
They buy reckiessly. contributing largely
to the support of three new towns in the
Cherokee strip, which have no other excuse
for an existence than to catch the trade of
the wealthy Osages
The traveller passing through this reser
walton will be surprised at the luxury no.
where else found on these prairies Spa
cious homes, beautiful lawns, and brightly
painted outbuildings may be seen here and
there. These homes are occupied by the
more frugal and saving of the tribe. In
many OF these prairie palaces are private
teachers for the children, besides drivers
servants-al of the Caucasian race-who
wait on the pleasure of the swarthy red
skins. One will see carriages that would
grace Pennsylvaia avenue, or a New York
boulevard smoothly rolling over the prairie,
Drawn by horses that boast of the best
blood. Out in the country, far away from
the hum of the busy street or trade center.
lives the richest Indian OF the Usage tribe
HIS name is Frank Denoya He is
a leader IN society. and his advice is
sought upon all Questions which trouble or
perplex the big chiefs. He has recently
moved into $4,000 mansion that is replete
with every modern convenience-baths
steam heat, gas, etc. 1t would do credit
to Michigan avenue, in Chicago IL was
planned by one of the best architects in
the west.
This rich Indian seems to have had an eve
to business. He is the father of twelve far
and hearty children, each of whom pets
$50 per month from the government. he
sides land rental of So an acre ON IGo
acres of bottom land. The family, besides,
has the rental of 100 acres of upland,
making an annual income of So 900 free
from taxes. Mr.. Denoya's children are
educated free, IL he desires It He Is we'll
educated and is a reader of newspapers
ana magazines. Go into his modern home
any time and you will find the latest mag
azines on the center table In his library.
and he will discuss intelligentiy any sub,
tect In talking of his people he said: .srhe
Indians might all have been rich n they
had acted with sense and Judgment. we
ceat with the government like business
men. and were accorded honest treatment
we are, therefore financially Independent
ana IL should not appear strange AZ we
Should desire TO enjoy life and have q good
TIME on the me ney which we get from the
government by reason of our sensible con-
duct Our people relish change from, ne
wigwam 70 comfortable homes"