Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-10
CONSPIRACY IN
OSAGG council?
GOVERNMENT SLEUTHS DIG Up a
WHOLESALE
FRAUD.
There MAYBE some ARREST
Rumorcd That High Indian Officials
and Attorneys Involved In a.
Lease Conspiracy.

MUSKOGEE, Dec. 9.-Twentie.h
century police methods, the dicta-
graph, the well dressed and suave de-
tective who represents himself as q
man Of wealth and wants the higher
ups to do him a favor have proved too
much for the full-blood Osages who
for the past three years have been In
control of the affairs of the Usage ma
don. AS result of the discoveries
made by Fred, Cook and other sleuths
N the employ of the department or
,he interior, the announcement made
by President Taft and Secretary Of
he Interior Fisher that they had de-
cided 10 remove from office the entire
council of the Usage tribe of Indians
for INSTRUMENTATION stands, and it is
known that other charges have been
filed against Chief Bacon Rind and
MS assistant, Red Eagle.
Had Leaders Watched.
1t may come as shock and an
astounding surprise to the Osages
who are considered the wealthiest
class of people in the world to learn
that Uncle Sam has not had 2om-
plete confidence in their chiefs for
some time, and that experienced Sc
ret service men have been in close
ouch with the affairs Of the council
,or months. Every move made by the
Usage leaders has been closely watch
I'd and when the blow falls 1t can be
safely put down that President raft's
reasons for refusing to sanction tho
easing of 100000 acres Of Usage
,ands to a syndicate as the result of
l private agreement will be made
known.
Cook on the job.
Fred s. Cook of Muskogee who has
nad charge Of the investigation into
he affairs of the Osages, and who
mas been at work in the Usage coun-
ry for months is expected home from
Pawhuska tonight. lie was in Wash
nCton last week where he filed what
he considered his final report with
instructed to return at once to Paw
lusl;a. He was still in the Usage
apltal this afternon and II Is pos
ible that some arrests may be made
before the day is over. 1t is known
hat n number Of white men and some
mixed bloods are involved in the
alleged conspiracy and their cases
4re now being investigated by tho
department. Of justice.
Oil Lease Conspiracy?
II was brought to the attention OF
he secretary of the interior more
than two years ago that something
was radically wrong with the Dusl-
uess affairs of the Osages and that
he men who should be working for
he best interests of the tribe were
pparently being controlled by somo
outsiders who We're trying to secure
leases on the oil and gas lands in the
central and western part Of tho ma
tion. The council went 50 far as to
make a blanket lease but It was turn
ed down by the department of the in
terror. and new regulations were pro-
vided. The government also ordered
new election and colored Bacon
Rind, Red Eagle and others removed
from office. The leases were sold un-
der the government regulations but
the sales were all rejected by the
Usage council. While all this work
was going on, Cook and his assist
ants were at work and 1t is under
stood they have bagged the Usage
council, several attorneys and oil men
and one ex-officlal of Usage county.