Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-08
RICHEST FOLK IN THE WORLD.
Osages Have Per Capita $50 Acres and
an Income Of $3.50.

From the Statehood Magazine.
In eastern Oklahoma lives a self -satisfied
band Of people. the richest per capita in
the world.
They spend their income with reckless
prodigality while 1t lasts, then quietly
await the sunshine of a coming payment
as their moccasined feet tread the dusty
streets Of the Indian villages.
The Usage tribe is one of many divisions
of the great Sioux family, which formerly
held undisputed possession Of the great
west.
The present reservation comprises 49,
05S acres. 1t has already proved to be one
of the richest parts Of the midcontinent oil
field. and there Is every indication that rich
coal deposits and minerals in paying guam
titles may one day bring great returns. The
oil and gas interests have been developed
under 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-resi-
dents.
BY treaty with the osages in 1926 the
$6s.120. drawing an interest Of per cent.
to be used annually for educational pur-
poses.
BY the fulfliment OF successive treaties,
with obligations therein incurred, sale OF
lands, etc. the amount OF money to Usage
credit in the national treasury reached. on
June 80. 1905, a total Of So, 473. 963, belonging
to 1888 Indians, as represented on the rolls
for the May payment of this present year.
Add to this a division of almost one and
half million acres of land, and who is
more fortunate than the ease-loving Usage,
with his inherited possessions of $50 acres
of land per capita and $3.50 annual In
come. which brings to no Indian be he
infant or aged. the slightest responsibility,
even in the SQuandertng of IL.
The total income for the tribe. as pre-
scented in the Usage agents report for the
year ending June go 1905, after deducting
expenses OF schools and agency, was
$685., 900.
The greatest change in. the Usage of late
years is that forced upon him by the pres
ence of the unlimited white man His de-
sire for work has not increased, and roll
Ing 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 government. When al
lotment is made the remainder OF the land
will be sold. and the purchase price cred
tied to his already large bank account at
Washington
The only empioyment Of women. aside
from customary family duties. IL a httle
beadwork However. the full-blood family
that does not own sewing machine n
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 wiA cover the needs of
three families. Grips, telescopes and trunks
do double service OF holding clothing and
forming partitions. Bedclothing 10 folded
and piled against the wall during the day
time. Beds and chairs are iuxuTiea in the
smaller homes, but one chair 10 usually
kept for a chance guest.
Visitors from O distance usually come
by tribes. Recently the Kaws were guests
and hospitality was taxed to entertain
them. It was an occasion for much fes-
tivity and many dances at the roundhouse
In the Pawhuska Indian village, which