BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-05-21
Wealthy Red Men.

AT the office of commissioner OF Indian
affairs few days ago contracts we're let to
ca tlemen for the renting of the pasture
lands of the Usage Indians, in Oklahoma.
These Indians have 500, 900 acres of pasture
land, of which 600, 900 acres were rented.
This will add to the annual income of the
tribe about $4,000 "And already" said
Capt. A. {. TOnner, assistant commissioner
of Indian affairs, yesterday, "the Usage In
dians are the richest people IN the world.
Several years ago the lands OF the Osa-
ges in Kansas were sold, the sale realizing
100000. This money was placed in the
treasury of the United States, and from it
the Usage Indians derive an annual income
of >400,000 Ia addition to this they own
l,51O, l95 acres of land, which is fairly worth
50 an acre, making the value OF their land
holdings s. ,S50,S75. There are 1872 In.
dams III the tribe, counting men, women
and children. They all share alike in the
tribal wealth, and when a child is borr it
becomes joint property owner with all the
other Indians IN the tribe. The profits
from the $4,000, 900 held in the treasury,
the recent rental of pasture lands aid other
sources OF revenue, give the OSages an an
nual income Of approximately 100000, per
capita income of S304 % for each man,
woman and chi.d. Wh-n family consists
OF man and wife ard eight children, as often
happens, the family receives each year in
cash S3,040, and on their lands they raise
all their foodStuffs and considerable grain
tor the market.
The realty holdings of the tribe have a
per capita valuation of 3,9S7, or for a
famlli Of ten $39,S70. There is no other
race Of people In the world, it is declared
that can make such a showing.
The Usage Indians have not failed to
profit by this wealth. The sous and daugh.
ters of families are sent east to colleges
aud boarding schools to be educated, many
of them receiving professional training.
There are 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 rapidly spreading, and when the Osages
become citizens few year hence they will
be fully equipped for the duties and res
possibilities Of citizenship.
The homes of some of the most progress
Slve OSages compare favorably with the
dwellings of white people of equal wealth.
Their houses are richly furnished with car
pets and modern furniture, and in many
homes there are pianos, upon which the
boarding school training of the daughters
mas taught them to perform. Horses and
carriages are not infrequent, and though
the automobile has not yet made its appea-
rance, it is not an imposibility of the future.
The enviable condition of the Osages has
led TO a considerable influx of white set.
tiers on the reservations, many white men
seeking alliances with the daughters of
Usage families. The tribal government,
however, has found way, if not to stop,
at least to profit by this white emigration.
From every white person on the reserva-
ton monthly poll tax of 81 is collected.
The imposition Of this tax has driven from
the reservation many suitor for the hands
OF Osage maidens and has given those who
remain an ardor and eagerness for matri.
mony which might not follow were long
courtships not thus rendered expensive
luxuries,