The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-11-07


livery man. woman and child among
them Is worth an independent fortune,
sud they draw a big pot Of money from
the United States treasury four times
year.
Each grown person or infant owns
1000 acres Of fne land. However, the
lands belonging TO the tribe have not
yet been divided up among its mem
bers This IL soon to be done under
the direction OF the Indian bureau and
result will be the opening Of the
country 10 settlement and trade.
The Osages are the only lndians that
ever got a fair show In a bargain with
Uncle Sam. In 1866 they signed a
treaty relinquIshlng their original res
ervatlon. which was a strip about 100
miles wide. extending from the Neosho
river IN Kansas westward 10 Medicine
Lodge. They employed the services Of
clever white lawyer. who happened
also to be honest. and he fixed mat
tiers 90 that they got ti.25 an acre for
their land. Out OF the fund thus ae-
cruing the present reservation Of
100000 acres In Oklahoma was
bought There was a big balance left
over. and Il constitutes nearly the
whole Of the sS.i3l.2s2 which the treas
ury holds to-day in trust for the
Osages.
The tribe now NUMBERS i625. accord
Ing 10 the official enrolment There
are 973 full bloods and $50 mixed
hoods The full bloods are steadily
decreasing. while the opposite Is the
case with the mixed bloods. A short
time ago 100 new members were admit
ted 70 the tribal rolls. but the full
blooag have appealed for their exDui-
sion. claiming bribery Of the govern
ing council.
The Osagcs annually receive from
the treasury Sf2i.5l3 interest Each
quarter they draw $4,000 In cash.
which is divided. The remaining SOL
7i3 Is expended by the Indian bureau
upon whatever Il deems useful for the
support and civilization Of the tribe.
Each individual IN the tribe owns
about $500 OF the money In the treas
ury. Including the value Of the land
per capita. a membership In the tribe
Is worth quite $4,000.
Suppose a family 10 consist Of six
persons. including the babies. Then
the tangible property Of that household
IL 100000. A family Of ten Is worth
100000. This statement has 10 DO only
with the possessions held by the Osages
In entail. 90 to speak. and without
counting accumulated property. As a
matter OF fact. they have accumulated
great deal OF property. and they re-
celve large sums OF money from cattle
men who lease their lands FOR grazing
purposes.
All OF them have good houses and
well ordered farms They hire white
men 70 do the work. Passing along
the road one Is apt 10 see lodge Of
bark near a handsome frame dwelling
Az likely as not a full blood family
lives in the lodge. while the hired man
rogides In the mansion.
For a good while past there has beer
n strong progressive party In the tribe
which has desired 10 procure the allot-
ment OF the lands Ia severalty. a ieW
days ago there was an election. and IN,
progressives secured a large majority
IN the governing council. This will re-
suit In the desired change. and before
long each individual In the tribe will
receive title deeds for about 100,
acres.
Four times a year each Indian. old
or young. gets sii.25 from the treasury
The allowance IS more than apt 20 b
traded ont" IN advance OF iis receipt
q Is characteristic OF an Indian that 4
he wants anything he must have q
right away and cost is no object Il hi
can pay or get credit.