The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-10-14
FLUSH WITH COIN
OF THE REALM.
The osagss are the Richest indians
IN the World


Some Of the Indians In this country
are tarly well off today, but they are
not many when compared with the
Osages, the richest of the American
aboriginies. whose afluence is de-
scribed in the following article from
an eastern exchange
At the Office of the commissioner Of
Indian affairs a few days ago con
tracts were let to oattlemen for the
renting of the pasture lands of the
Usage Indians in Oklahoma. These
Indians have 100000 acres of pasture
lands, Of which 10000 acres were rent.
ed. This will add to the annual in
come of the tribe about 100000.
And Sa7eady." said Captain A. {.
Turner. assistant commissioner OF In
dia naffairs, recently. "the Usage in
dams are the richest people in the
world
Several years ago the lands of the
osages in Kansas were sold, the sale
realizing $S.OO0,OOO This money was
placed in the treasury of the United
States and from it the Usage Indians
derive an annual income Of S400, 600.
In addition to this they own 1,57O,195
acres of land, which is fairly worth
$5 a nacre, making the value of their
holdings, $7S5O,S75. There are 1872
Indians in the tribe. counting men,
women and children. They all share
alike in the tribal wealth, and when
child is born it becomes a Joint prop.
erty owner with all the other Indians
in the tribe The profits from the
$S,000,c00 held in treasury, the recent
rental of pasture lands, and other
sources Of revenue, give the Osages
an annual income of approximately
100000. a per capita income Of 1904
25 for each man, woman and child.
When family consists of man and
wife and eight children, as often hap
pens, the family receive each year
in cash 5000. and on their lands
they raise all their food stuffs and
considerable grain for the market.
The realty holdings of the tribe
have per capita valuation of 1896,
or for family of ten. s39,S7O. There
Is not another race Of people in the
world, it is declared that can make
such showing.
The Usage Indians have not failed
to profit by this wealth. The sons and
daughters of families are sent east
to colleges and boarding schools to
be educated, many of them receiving
professional training. There are
few families, of course, who still live
with almost the simplicity that mark
ed the lives OF their savage ancestors,
but the desire for education and cul-
ture is rapidly spreading, and wnen
the Osages become citizens a few
years hence, they will be fully equip
ped for the duties and responsibilities
Of citizenship.
The homes OF some of tho most
progressive Osages compare fayorably
with the dwellings of white people of
equal wealth Their homes are rich
ly furnished with carpets and modern
furniture, and in many homes there
are pianos upon which the boarding
school training of the daughters has
taught them to perform. Horses and
carriages are not infrequent; though
the automobile has not yet made it's
appearance, it is not an impossibility
of the future.
The eaviable condition Of the
Osages has led TO considerable in
flux of white settlers on the reserva-
tions, many white men seeking al
lance with the daughters of Usage
families. 1he tribal government
however, has found a way, If not to
stop, at least to profit by this white
au,fQraffon