Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-12-01
z WEALTHY QUAPAWS
DEAD FROM ACCIDENT
Whitcbird. Boy rs Years Old Killed
by Motorcycle; Rctlcaglc Death
Caused by Burns from Stove

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan, Nov
29.-NeXt to the Usage Indians the
Quapaws are no doubt the wealthiest
per capita in Oklahoma. The diff
ference is that the Osages hold their
lands and monies in common and get
their principal royalties out OF crude
oil, whereas the Quapaws are indi-
vidual owners Of land or allutments
and draw their royalties from lead
and zinc. The area occupied hy the
Quapaws Is just south OF the Kansas
state boundary and within mile
and a half Of this city. These In
iians collect royalties amounting to
over n half million dollars annually
lnd the tribe is n small one, one OF
the remnants that live in the OK
rene northeastern corner OF the
state.
II was the discovery OF lead and
zinc in the Quapaw country, few
Years ago, that made many of the
;ribe wealthy Prior 70 that discOv-
cry the chief industry was hay max
'ng. practically all the acres OF the
tribe being given over to that with
hut a small proportion OF the land
being given over to agriculture. The
Ray crops brought very moderate
'oyalty, however. compared with
that paid by lead and zinc, and many
" the Quapaws like the Indians who
live in the oklahoma oil fields be-
came suddenly rich. The federal
government still exercises guar
lianship over great majority Of
tho Quapaws and protects their
funds for them, and OF this number
was James Whitebird, n l5-year-old
orphan, whose death from injuries
received in a motorcycle accident oc-
CURED during the past week.
Whitebird's allotment lies six miles
south west OF Baxter and adjotns the
town OF Picher on the northeast. In
fact portion Of his allotment OF 100
acres has been plated as an addi-
ton to Picher, brinCing to him a
heavy royalty also. The entire tract
is leased for mineral, practically all
OF 1t developed, with several ore mills
already built and In operation. The
royalties obtained from the land
make it's value very close to $1,000
900.
Whitebird lived near Lincolnville,
short distance south OF Baxter, and
attended the historic Catholic semi
nary there, a school principally for
children OF Indian blood. While
playing at the school several days
ago, with other boys, he ran onto a
motorcycle left there by some per-
son. and decided to attempt to ride
Il. The result was a fan with the
machine on top OF him, crushing him
internally and causing his death soon
0fterward.
Death Of RCdcaGlc.
The death OF George RedeaCle
also a Quapaw land owner and dis
tant relative of Whitebird, followed
, not long after that OF the boy. In
fact. Redeagle and his wife attended
the funeral OF young Whitebird and
then went to Joplin for the night. In
some manner Rcdeagle Knocked over
gas stove in his room at hotel and
received burns that resulted in his
death within a short time.
Redeagle's land lies near Quapaw
and Lincolnville and is also under
lease for mineral and being devel-
oped. Several prominent companies
are operating there and several mills
have been erected. II Is in por-
ton Of the field that is perhaps more
productive OF lead than zinc. a sec
tion also, where the mineral as rule
Is found at n shallow depth. For
generations the Redeagle family has
been one OF the most prominent In
tho tribe and two OF the Redeagle
boys are now in the service of their
country. one each In the army and
navy. The body Of George RedeaRle
was embalmed and held week.
waiting the arrival OF Doan Redeagle
from an army training camp.
The usual tribal funeral cere-
monies were done away with In the
case Of James Whltebird. hut were
adhered to for Redeagle. Whitehird
was given a Catholic burial with Rev.
Father Wagner of the Catholic sem
mary in charge, but for Redeagle
the tribe was out in run force, award
ing him all the ceremonies that make
an Indian funeral complete,