Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-09-22
RICHEST FOLK IN THE WORLD.
Osnges Have Per Capita 700 Acres
and an Income of $3.50.

osages Have Per Capita 700 Acre.
and an Income of $3.50.
In Eastern oklahoma lives a self.
satisfied band of people, the richest
per capita in the world.
They spend their income with reck-
less prodigality while 1t lasts, then
quietly await the sunshine of a COM
ing payment as their moccasined feet
tread the dusty streets of the Indian
villages.
The Usage tribe, says Sturm S
Statehood Magazine, is one of many
divisions of the great Sioux family,
which formerly held undisputed pos
session of the great West.
The present reservation comprises
1,47O,O5S acres. 1t has already
proved to be one of the richest parts
of the mid continent oil Hold, and
there is every indication that rich
coal deposits and minerals In paying
quantities may one day bring great
returns. The oil and gas interests
have been developed under a blanket
lease.
Usage incomes are derived from
interest on the large amount of
money held in trust for them by the
Government, in addition to returns
from grazing leases, royalties on oil
and gas and permits paid by non
residents.
BY a treaty with the Osages in
1926 the Government acknowledged
liability Of $69,120, drawing an in
terest Of five per cent, to be used
annually for educational purposes.
By the fulflInent of successive
treaties, with obligations therein in
Cured, sale Of lands, etc., the
amount of money to Usage credit in
the national treasury reached, on
June 80, 1905, a total of $S,473,963,
belongings 30 1000 Is.aiaIis, as repre-
scented on the rolls for the May pay
ment of this present year.
Add to this a division Of almost
one and a half million acres of land,
and who is more fortunate than the
Usage, with his inherited
of $50 acres Of land per
capita and a $3.50 annual income
which brings to no Indian, be he in
FAINT or aged, the slightest RESPONSE
bility, even in the squandering of it.
The total income for the tribe, as
presented in the Usage agents report
for the year ending June 80, 1905,
after deducting expenses Of schools
and agency, was $668,000.
The greatest change in the Usage
of late years is that forced upon him
by the presence of the unlimited
white man. His desire for work has
not increased, and, rolling in wealth
as he is, there is little need that he
should work.
There Is some farming done and
many have selected their homesteads
of 100 acres, as permitted by the
When allotment is
made, the remainder of the land will
be sold and the purchase price cred
tied to his already large bank ac-
count at Washington.
The only employment of women,
aside from customary family duties,
is little beadwork. However, the
full blood family that does not own
a sewing machine is rare; and the
neatly made garments worn under
the blankets attest that these ma
chimes have hummed lively tunes.
Most full blood homes are small,
few having more than three rooms.
In some cases one room will cover
the needs Of three families. Grips,
telescopes and trunks do double SER
vice of holding clothing and forming
partitions, Bedclothing is folded
and piled against the wall during |
the daytime. Beds and chairs are
Injuries in the smaller homes, but
1ne cna1r Is usually kept for chance |
guest.
Visitors from a distance usually |
come by tribes. Recently the Kaws
were guests, and hospitality was
taxed to entertain them. 1t was an
occasion for much festivity and many |
dances at the roundhouse in the Paw
huska Indian village, which building
was erected by the Osages them
selves for that purpose.
Gambling is vice which is COM
mon to perhaps half the tribe, women
often being worse than the men.
Whisky has not claimed great |
number of victims, but the condition
Of those who are drunkards is pitt
able.