The St. Johns herald., 1901-07-27

At the office of commissioner of 1n- dian affairs a few days ago contracts were let to cattlemen for the renting of the pasture lands of the Osage Indians, in Oklahoma. These Indians have SOO,OOO acres of pasture lands, of which 6OO,O00 acres were rented. This will add to the annual income of the tribe about S120,OOO. And already" said Captain A. c. Tonner, assistant commissioner of Indian affairs, "the Osage Indians are the richest people in the world.
 Several years ago the lands of the Osages in Kansas were sold, the sale realizing SSOOO,OO0. This money was placed in the treasury of the United States, and from it the Osage Indians derive an annual income of $4OO.OOO. In addition to this they own 1,57O,l9o acres of land, which is fairly worth 50 an acre, making the value of their lana holdings S7,S5O,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 1t becomes a joint property owner with all the other Indians ID tne tribe. The profits from the $S,OOO,OOO held in the treasury, the recent rental of pasture lands, and other sources or revenue, give the Osages an annual in- come of approximately $600,000, per capita income of $304.25 for each man, woman and child. When a family con- sists of man and wife and eight chil- dren, as often happens, the family re- ceives each year in cash 3,4OO, and on their lands they raise all their food stuffs and considerable grain for the market
 The realty holdings of the tribe have a per capita valuation of S3,S97, or, for a family of ten, $39,S7O. There Is no other race of people in the world, it is declared, that can make such a show ing.
 The Osage 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 pro- fessional training. There are a few families, of course, which still live with almost the simplicity that marked the lives of their savage ancestors, but the desire for education and culture Is rap- idly spreading, and when the Osages become citizens few years hence they will be fully equipped for the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.
 The homes of some of the most pro- gressive Osages compare favorably with the dwellings of white people of equal wealth. Their houses are richly furnished with carpets and modern fur niture, and in many homes there are pianos upon which the boarding-school training of the daughters has taught to perform. Horses and carriages are not infrequent, and though the automo- bile has not yet made Its appearance, it is not an imposslbility of the future
 The enviable condition of the Osages has led to a considerable influx of white settlers on the reservations. many white men seeking alliances with the daughters of Osage families. The tribal government however, has found a way, if not to stop, at least to profit | by this white emigration. From every white person on the reservation a monthly poll tax of $1 is collected. The Imposition of this tax has driven from I the reservation many suitors for the hands of Osage maidens and has given those who remain an ardor and eager ness for matrimony which might not follow were long courtships not thus rendered expensive luxuries.-Wash- ington Post.