The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-10-29
ClVIlIZING THE
0SAGES COSTLY
Rich Tribe Suing Uncle
Sam for Huge Sum
Of Money
MAY TOTAL a MILLION
Legal Action Based on Treaty
Made With Aborigincs
Many Years Ago

Special to Tho Worli.
pAWHUsKA. oct rs Through
r. i. Lcnhy and T.. 3 shlnn. local
attorneys. associated with o. D.
Mcrrliat and T.. j. Happier. oi
Washington. the OenFo people arc
suing the rnitcd StHfoa government
for q sum ranging from fll00o.000
30 $4,000. 900 as may bo determined
hy tho court ~ claimH. The basis
FOR this claim arises from what 10
known as the civilization fuud.
The suit was authorized hy an mot
uf congress- three years ngo which
provided that action might be
brought 10 try the question out.
Attorney Morril1t. representing
tho Osngcs ana q. r. shormouut.
representing The department of jua,
lice. are hero tnking debositions VI
many OF tho older members ~ the
tribe bs well NJ some Of the ola
whites who knew of the transo otiun.
Those dcpositioUH win bo taken IN
this city and In burbank ana Fair
fax.
The origin Of tho civilization
ftind' dates back 10 the treaty ~
1856 when the Osng-s sold n tTnot
af land 80 by 90 miles In area. the
proceeds of which were 90 have
been used for educational purposes.
The government advanced tho In
dams 100000 on this land, sur
vryed II and sold n 10 settlers FOR
81 100000. The Osagos hAd re-
ccivcd $500, 900, and tho balance
vas 20 bo used for the education Of
qll tho Indian tribes throughout the
United States
The contention of tho Osagcs Is
Chat Il was their understanding that
Che money was 10 be used only for
the education Of Usage children.
The matter has hecn before the
Usage people for many years, but
DO progress nt an adjustment was
ever made untll tho congregational
act OF three years ago authorized
tho tribo 20 file suit in accordance
with the findings Of tho court OF
glnims
The language OF the treaty Ia as
follows;
And in consideration OF tho grant
su,i sale {" them oi tii- above ,ir-
scribedc lands, tho United states
agree TO pay tho sum Of -, 900, 600,
which sum IN to he placed 10 the
credit OF tho said tribe OF Indlnrs
IN the treasury Of the United statcP.
aud intereat thereon at the rate Of
: per cent per annum shall bo paid
TO said tribes seInl-annually IN
money. clothing. provisions or such
articles OF utility as the secretary OF
the Interior may. from tlme 20 Tina,
direct. Enid lands shall be surveyed
AID sold under the direction cf tho
secretary of the interior, on the
most advantageous terms. Cor cash
as ruhlic lands are surveyed ANA
aold unGcr existing laws. Including
my act granting land TO tho state
~ Kansas In aid OF the construc-
don OF railroad through saii lands.
~ pre-emption or claim of home
sread settlement shall he recognized.
ahd after reimburslng tho Uni el
Mates the cost OF survey and sales.
and said sum OF s3,0OO,00 placed
70 the credit OF said Indians, the ro-
manning proceeds OF sales shall he
plnccd In tho treasury OF the United
States TO tho credit OF the "Civlliza-
tim Fund" To bo used under the
direction Of the secretary OF the in
terlor for the education and olvill-
z3tion Of Indian tribes residing
within the limtts OF the United
Tater."