The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1897-02-20

Every man, woman and child among
them is worth an Independent fortune,
and they draw a big pot of money from
the United States treasury four times
year.
Each grown person or infant owns
1000 acres of fine land. However, the
lands belonging to the tribe have not
yet been divided UP among it's men,
beers. This is soon to be done under
the direction of the Indian bureau and
a result will be the opening >of the
country to settlement and trade.
The Osages are the only Indians that
ever got fair show in a bargain with
Uncle Sam. In 1855 they signed a
treaty relinquishing their original res
ervation, which was strip about 100
miles wide, extending from the Neosho
river in Kansas westward to Medicine
Lodge. They employed the services of
a clever white lawyer, who happened
also to be honest, and he fixed mat
tiers so that they got $1.25 an acre for
their land. Out of the fund thus &C
cruing the present reservation of
100000 acres in Oklahoma was
bought. There was a big balance left
over, and it constitutes nearly the
whole of the IS, 434 ,2S2 which the treas
ury holds to-day in trust for the
Osages.
The tribe now numbers 1,625, accord
ing to the official enrolment There
are 973 full bloods and 652 mixed
bloods. 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 to the tribal rolls, but the full
bloods have appealed for their expul
sion, claiming bribery of the govern
ing council.
The Osages annually receive from
the treasury $421,713 interest. Each
quarter they draw 100000 in cash,
which is divided. The remaining $751;
713 is expended by the Indian bureau
upon whatever it deems useful for the
support and civilization of the tribe.
Each individual in the tribe owns
about SIS, 200 Of the money in the treas
ury. Including the value of the land,
is worth quite $4,000.
Suppose a family to consist of six
persons, including the babies. Then
the tangible property of that household
is $4,000. A family of ten is worth
100000. This statement has to do only
with the possessions held by the Osages:
in entail, so to speak, and without
counting accumulated property. AS
matter of fact, they have accumulated
a great deal of property, and they re-.
ceive large sums of money from cattle
men who lease their lands for grazing
purposes.
All of them have good houses and
we'll ordered farms. They hire white
men to do the work. Passing along
the road one is apt to see lodge of
bark near handsome frame dwelling.
AS likely as not full blood family
lives in the lodge, while the hired man
resides in the mansion.
Fer a good while past there has been
a strong progressive party in the tribe,
which has desired to procure the 'allot-
ment of the lands in severalty. A few
days ago there was an election, and the
progressives secured 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 1000
acres.
Four times a year each Indian, old
Or young, gets $41:25 from the treasury.
The allowance is more than apt to be
traded out" in advance of it's receipt.
1t is characteristic of an Indian that if
he wants anything he must have it
right away and cost is no object If he
can pay or get credit