The Osage are one of five tribesCOmaha, Ponca, Osage, Kansa (Kaw), QuapawCthat form the group known as the Dhegiha in the Siouan linguistic family. They occupied the Piedmont Plateau between the James and Savannah rivers in Virginia and the Carolinas for a long period, then began a westward migration, descending the Ohio River to its mouth, where they crossed the Mississippi River and eventually came to the Missouri River. They then separated, the Quapaw going downstream to the Arkansas River, the Osage remaining on the Osage River, and the Omaha, Ponca, and Kansa ascending the Missouri.

Osage Indians had hunted in Cowley County since the 1600s. They did not settle in villages until after the Wichita Indians were driven out between 1758 and 1800. White visitors observed Osage camps and gardens along Grouse Creek in southern Cowley County as early as 1820. In 1825 the Osage signed a treaty at St. Louis, ceding all their lands to the United States: all of Oklahoma north of the Arkansas and Canadian rivers, northwestern Arkansas, western Missouri, and nearly half of Kansas. The 1825 Federal Treaty defined the Osage Diminished Reserve, which included all of Cowley County except the southern two and one-half miles above the present Oklahoma border.The Osage were moved north to their reservation in Kansas in 1828 when the Government gave their country in northeastern and northern Oklahoma to the Western Cherokee.

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The Civilization Act of 1820, which led to Protestant Osage Missions, failed. The Osage Missions were closed in 1837, and for ten years, the Osage people had no mission or school.

In a petition to President Tyler dated June 14, 1843, the Osages pointed out the Osage education fund created from the sale of lands under the Treaty of 1825. Since it was their money to be spent on education, the Osages asked for Jesuit missionaries. They were familiar with the Jesuits, known by them as the ABlack Robes,@ almost from their first contact with Euro-Americans. While many marriages between the French traders and Osage women were performed under Osage law, some were performed by the Jesuits as early as 1750. It was natural for them to want the familiar Jesuits as their teachers.

On August 8, 1845, the contract for erection of two school buildings was granted. Fifty acres of plowing was also included. By January 1846 this work was finished.

The United States government was reluctant to pay Osage education monies to the Jesuits. After examining the monies offered, the Jesuits refused to sign the contract; the Indian Commissioner Afound@ more money. At least $55 per pupil was available, but only $50 per pupil was paid to the Jesuits. Financial problems, government Ared tape,@ and travel difficulties delayed their arrival until April 28, 1847. Osage Mission school was officially opened May 10, 1847, and was called AMission of St. Francis de Hieronymo (Jerome).@ Believing that it would be a waste of funds and effort to educate an Osage boy, who could only marry an uneducated Osage girl, the Jesuits also instigated a girls= school, established by the Sisters of Loretto from Nerinckx, Kentucky. Mother Concordia and her assistants, Sisters Mary Petronilla, Bridget, and Vincentia, arrived at the mission October 10, 1847.

The following Jesuit fathers arrived in 1847: Fathers Schoenmakers, Bax, and Ponziglione. In a letter written June 1, 1850, to Father Peter John De Smet (then located among the Osages in Missouri), Father Bax gave the location of the various Osage bands. ABig Hill, situated on the Verdigris River, forty miles off, has a population of 600 souls. Les Cheniers, or Sanz q-Shantka-Sape village, fifty-five miles off, contains 400 inhabitants.

Father John Schoenmakers wrote to Mr. C. M. Scott, editor of the Arkansas City Daily Traveler, June 7, 1876, relative to the Great and Little Osages.

AThe States of Missouri and Arkansas were once territory belonging to the Osages, and some of the tribe who lived in 1847 were born where now is the city of Jefferson, and also along the Osage River, Missouri. They had a school near Pappinsville, in Bates County. In 1847 several half-breeds of the tribe had still farms on Mormento River, near Fort Scott. The tribe had now come to Kansas, and numbered 5,500, where whiskey did much harm among all classes. The Great George White Hair had a double log house for a dwelling place on a large farm, and owned a saw and grist mill five miles from Missiontown. This property the Osages destroyed by fire as it did not pay expenses. The White Hair band was kept within a few miles of the Mission school, and during the summer months the young men were always ready to work on the farm, and to split rails or firewood in the winter. Clammoretown was then where now is the town of Coffeyville, on the Verdigris River. Black Dog and Wolf towns were only three miles distant. The Big Hills were located ten or more miles away, sometimes north and at other times south of the Verdigris.

AThe Little Osages came formerly from Missouri and had joined the Great Osages and in 1874 were living south of the Neosho River. The owl family, however, pushed a few miles away and up Big Creek. In 1850 the number of Osage children began greatly to increase, and in 1852 fell victims to disease and 800 died of measles. Scurvey, a disease which is more generally thought to belong to sailors and those whose lives are spent upon the seas, then appeared with its train of alarming effects, and of the four hundred who lived near the Mission, forty died of this disease within one month. The tribe was also visited by small pox, some even suffering the third attack. In 1860 health and hope again prevailed; the Little Osages commenced raising corn and beans. The White Hair band fenced large fields, built houses, and raised cattle and hogs. The civil war that followed so soon destroyed their fields, houses, cattle, and other stock, and blasted even their hopes.@

Fr. Schoenmakers= statement in a letter to A. J. Dorn, Indian Agent, dated August 28, 1856, was more than a little prophetic. AOur Osages are well aware that their former mode of living is fast closing upon them; ten years ago they numbered 5,000 souls, at present they hardly exceed 3,500.@

By the end of the 1850s, the Mission School under Father John Schoenmakers had reached a peak in attendance, and the Catholics who were supervising it had much to show for their sacrifice and efforts. The full-blooded Osages began to see that the time would come when they would be obliged to exchange their mode of living for a more civilized life.

With the approach of the Civil War, Andrew J. Dorn, the Indian Agent, sympathized and sided with the south. Without waiting for the appointment of his successor in office, he began to persuade his Osage Indian wards, whom he had treated fairly, to take up the southern cause. A loyal supporter of the North, Fr. Shoenmakers did, by his influence, succeed in keeping most of his former Osage students in allegiance to the Union. Dorn spent most of his time with the Indian bands on the Verdigris. Chief Black Dog and Second Chief, Wa-po-pek-eh, were most susceptible to his influence and soon joined in spreading his propaganda. Dorn later became a Quartermaster at Bonham, Texas, in the rebel service.

The Confederacy sent Albert Pike, the superintendent of Indian agencies for the Confederacy and a persuasive orator, to form the Osage and other tribes into an alliance. Pike induced the Five Civilized Tribes and many Plains tribes as well to sign treaties with the Confederate government. On October 2, 1861, 57 Osage chiefs and councillors also signed a treaty. In Kansas only the Blackdog band remained loyal to the south.

Leaders of the Little Osage (Four Lodges, Little Bear, Hard Rope, and Striking Axe, and others) refused to sign the agreement. Chief Little Bear enlisted with some of his tribe in a Union force, the Ninth Kansas Infantry. These were the only Osage Indians who actually donned uniforms and attempted to become American-style soldiers. Chetopa=s band mustered 200 into the second regiment of the Indian Brigade of the Union Army. While the Osages furnished at least 400 men in the Union forces, the Little Osages who were not in the military made the greatest single contribution to the Union. For every Osage who supported the Confederacy, there were at least five who supported the Union.

Captain John Mathews, a trader, who lived at Little Town (near the present Oswego, Kansas), was married to an Osage. He had sent his sons to the Mission School, and hoped to influence the Mission to the cause of the South. Unsuccessful, he gathered a large force of pro-Southern whites and Osage warriors and engaged in several skirmishes against civilians sympathetic to the Union cause in July and August, 1861. He made plans to march against the Mission and burn the town. One of his sons, however, had been a pupil of the Mission and was very attached to Father John Schoenmakers. He rode all night to alarm him of the danger. Father John lost no time in leaving for St. Mary=s in Pottawatomie County, where he remained eight months. A heavy rain fell the night planned for the attack, which kept Mathews and his gang from crossing Flatrock Creek; this saved the Mission. In September 1861, Lieutenant Colonel James G. Blunt and the Sixth Kansas Cavalry defeated Mathews= company, routing it completely. Mathews was killed in the battle, and his death left the Confederate cause in southeastern Kansas without a leader.

On May 15, 1863, the Osages undoubtedly saved Kansas from a series of devastating Indian attacks. All three of the independent Little Osage bands had located their villages on the Verdigris drainage. The Claremore Big Hills were on Big Hill Creek downstream from Independence, Kansas. All the Little Osage villages were north of Independence. Both the Big Hills and Little Osage villages were on the east side of the Verdigris.

Hard Rope and eight or ten of his men had left the Big Hill village after a visit. Their intention was to go to Osage Mission before returning to their village. They had crossed Drum Creek southeast of Independence when they spotted a group of mounted white men. Approaching the party of about twenty-two men, Hard Rope asked them to identify them-selves. The men replied that they were a detachment of Union irregulars stationed at Fort Humboldt. Hard Rope told them he knew the men stationed at Humboldt and he did not see any familiar faces among their party. The men ignored the request of the Osages to accom-pany them to Fort Humboldt for identification. As they started to move away, the Osages tried to restrain them. In the ensuing scuffle, one of the white men shot and killed an Osage. Being outnumbered, Hard Rope withdrew his men and sent a messenger to the nearby Big Hill village for help. The Osage chiefs, Hard Rope and Little Beaver, set off with about 200 warriors in pursuit of the Confederate officers. When they overtook the soldiers, the Osage split into several groups, herding the Confederates about five miles from a loop in the Verdigris River, which ran swift and deep, cutting off an escape. During the chase, one Osage warrior and two Confederate officers were killed. The Osages used the timber on the flanks of the white men for shelter and ultimately forced the Confederates out on a gravel bar. From the tree shelter, the Osages fired upon them. Out of ammunition, the soldiers dismounted and faced the Indians in hand-to-hand combat. Eighteen were scalped and beheaded and two escaped. Finding that one of the dead was bald, the Osage warriors removed his long beard and added it to the scalps they carried off. From the uniforms and recovered papers, it was determined that these men had been Confederate officers. Their mission was to disperse among the various northern Indian Nations and to stir them into attacking northern settlements. Thus, the Osages saved Kansas from a series of devastating Indian raids.

By the terms of the treaty of 1863, made at LeRoy, Kansas, which was signed by the Osages but not ratified by the government, the Osages sold part of their land to the government and agreed to move westward to the Verdigris. It was understood that the government would sell the land thus acquired to settlers who began to come in great numbers even before the close of that year. In fact, the white settlers were so numerous, and insisted that their children be allowed to attend the Osage Mission School, that the Indian children were almost forced out, as pupils, by the overwhelming white children. This was quite a strain on the Mission, since Osage Mission was primarily supported by the government for the Indians.

During a thirteen day council held in September 1865 at Fort Smith, Arkansas, four basic concessions were forced on the Osages and other tribes between 1865 and 1907.

1. Each tribe must enter into a treaty for permanent peace and amity among themselves and with the United States.

2. Slavery must be abolished and steps taken to incorporate the freedmen into the tribes as citizens with rights guaranteed.

3. Each tribe must agree to surrender a portion of its lands to the United States for colonizing tribes from Kansas and elsewhere.

4. Tribal leaders must agree to the policy of uniting all tribes of the Indian Territory into a single, consolidated government.

Concessions three and four were the two that had the most effect on the Osages. It was the third requirement that made it possible for the Osages to buy their present reservation. The Osages clung to the fourth requirement, which was meant to create an Indian State, until 1907. They were the last Indians to give up the dream of the Indian State. In lieu of an Indian State, the Osages demanded that their reservation be kept intact as one governmental unit if they were to agree to become a part of the proposed State of Oklahoma. This is why Osage County and the Osage Reservation have identical boundaries.

The first missionaries who ministered to the Indians and afterwards to the few Catholic first settlers in Winfield, Cowley County, were Reverends John Schoenmakers and Paul M. Ponziglione, the Jesuit Fathers from the Osage Mission, now St. Paul=s Mission in Neosho County, Kansas. Later the Catholics in Winfield were attended by priests from Indepen-dence and Wichita. (NOTE : There are no known records of other missions being established in Cowley County.)

Emporia News, June 2, 1871. A new Catholic church is to be built at Osage Mission. It will be sixty by one hundred and fifty feet, and is to cost $75,000.

Winfield Courier, August 7, 1873. Father Paul (Ponziglione), of Osage Mission, will hold mass here next Saturday, the 10th inst., at the usual hour in the morning.

Winfield Courier, October 16, 1873. The Catholics of our city are notified that Paul M. Ponziglione, of Osage Mission, will hold mass next Sunday the 19th inst.

Winfield Courier, August 21, 1879. Rev. Paul M. Ponziglione, S. J., of St. Francis Institute, Osage Mission, is said to be a near relative of the present king of Italy. The people of Winfield will remember that Father Ponziglione had the Catholic Church of this place in his charge during a few of the first years, and was highly esteemed.

The August 8, 1883, issue of the Arkansas City Traveler informed its readers that John Schoenmakers, S. J., died at St. Francis College, near Osage Mission, at 4:30 p.m., July 28, 1883, aged about 75 years. AFather John Schoenmakers was one of the first settlers of Kansas. In 1847 he established the Osage Indian Mission, and has been connected with that institution since that time. He was dearly beloved by all classes for his Christian virtue and noble traits of character.@

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Emporia News, April 24, 1868.

A NEW OSAGE TREATY.

Commissioners are now on their way to the headquarters of the Osage Indians to make a new treaty with that tribe. We sincerely hope the treaty may result in the government getting possession of all their valuable lands in the south part of this State, and in sending the Osages south into the Indian country. Their lands are not exceeded in value, as an agricultural region, in Kansas, and the sooner they can be opened to settlement the better for Kansas and the country at large. After the treaty is made, if its terms are satisfactory, we hope our congressional delegation will use every exertion in their power in urging its ratification, in order that this valuable body of lands may be speedily opened for settlement. There are thousands of citizens waiting for the consummation of such a treaty, and not long after its being made available for settlers it will become one of the most populous regions in Kansas.

Emporia News, January 14, 1870.

The Sac and Fox and Osage Indians were camped close by. They are perfectly quiet and harmless; perhaps over-awed by the number of settlers. We made the acquaintance of a few of them: the superannuated chief, AHard Rope,@ ALittle Bear,@ E-keep-son-Ge, whose name is, translated, ALong-tailed Rat,@ and some others. Like all the other settled Indians, the Osages are a dying race. Very few children now grow to maturity. AStrike-axe,@ one of the principal chiefs, told one of our party that he had lost nine children, and only one remained. At the present rate of decrease, these tribes will soon disappear from the earth. AWhite man=s food@ and consanguine intermarriages are mentioned as the most apparent causes.

We have the best evidence that the number of the Osages has been greatly exaggerated by interested parties; that 2,000 is above the figure. While encamped near them for some days, we were particularly struck by a sort of prolonged and unearthly wail, which rose every morning at daybreak from their villagesCa sound that wonderfully harmonized with the note of the owl and coyoteCrising and falling for several minutes in strange cadence. This was said by some to be their mode of worship; but Col. Manning, who has spent much time among them, told us that they were mourning for their dead. To us it seemed as if these pre-Adamite people were singing their own death-song.

Walnut Valley Times, Friday, March 4, 1870.

Washington, Feb. 16, 1870. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs have agreed to rec-ommend that the Government purchase lands of the Osage Indians at $2,000,000, with the privilege to all present settlers to buy not to exceed 160 acres at $1.25 per acreCthe Government to pay in four percent bonds, and guarantee the interest for support of the tribe.

The committee expect to pursue the same course with other large Indian tracts. This is the tract covered by one of the railroad treaties lately withdrawn.

Walnut Valley Times, March 11, 1870. Enoch Hoag, Indian Commissioner, in company with other grand sachems, passed through here on Tuesday on their way to the Osage Indian Nation. Friend Hoag said the Indians would soon be removed and that the treaty would be ratified, giving the lands to actual settlers at a dollar and a quarter per acre.

Walnut Valley Times, April 29, 1870.

The House Committee on Indian Affairs has agreed to report a bill providing for the extension of the general law concerning town sites over the Osage lands in Kansas.

Walnut Valley Times, May 20, 1870.

[Correspondence of the Times.]

OSAGE INDIAN LANDS.

EDITORS TIMES: Pursuant to notice, the people of Cowley County met in convention at Creswell on Tuesday, 10th inst., to consider the questions connected with the Indian occupancy of the Osage lands. After some discussion, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.

WHEREAS, We, the citizens of Cowley County, in mass convention assembled, believe that the time has fully come in which the interests of civilization demand the extinction of the Indian title to the Osage lands, and

WHEREAS, We regard with regret and distrust the inactivity of our Senators upon this question, therefore

Resolved, That we urge upon our Senators, Pomeroy, Ross, and Representative Clarke, immediate and definite actions looking toward the removal of the Osage Indians from these lands and opening them to actual settlers.

Resolved, That while we are opposed to all great land monopolies like those contem-plated in the "Sturges Treaty," we favor the policy of aiding the construction of railroads by granting to them alternate sections of land now unclaimed, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, to the amount of ten sections to the mile, reserving to the immigrant upon said lands the right of pre-emption and ultimate purchase at a fixed maximum price, not to exceed two dollars and fifty cents an acre.

Resolved, That we regard immediate action upon this subject as of permanent importance, and we earnestly urge that the question be finally settled before the close of the present session of Congress.

Resolved, That copies of the above preamble and resolutions be forwarded to each member of our Congressional delegation, and to the WALNUT VALLEY TIMES, Emporia News, Topeka Commonwealth, and Lawrence Tribune. H. B. NORTON, President.

C. R. SIPES, Secretary.

Creswell, May 11, 1870.

Walnut Valley Times, May 20, 1870. On Thursday last, the Senate occupied almost the entire day over the house Osage Indian bill.

The question in order, was on amendment of Mr. Ross, of this State, to take the land from the Indians, at 20 cents an acre, and cede them to certain railroads in Kansas in specified quantities and at specified rates giving settlers on the reservation the right to purchase 160 acres each at $1.25 per acre.

Several SenatorsCnotably, Mr. Morrill of Maine, spoke against the bill at length. Mr. Morrill declared that the passage of such an act would be a "legislative scandal." Finally, a motion was made to recommit the bill, with instructions to report a bill for the removal of the Osage Indians to the Indian Territory, and for the sale of their reservation in Kansas for cash, as other public lands are disposed of. Pending discussion on this motion, the bill to abolish the franking privilege came up as the special order, and the Osage business was laid aside without definite action.

Walnut Valley Times, June 10, 1870.

Editor Walnut Valley Times: Understanding that reports of Indian hostilities are being circulated in your vicinity, I will ask the use of your columns to correct misapprehensions.

The sum total of casualties is as follows: nobody killed or scalped; nobody hurt; two men scared by some fast young Osages. The gist of the matter lies in the fact that the Osages are camped on the Arkansas, below the mouth of the Grouse, and desire that no homes be built by the whites on this part of the valleyCnot quite three miles in lengthCor on Chilocky Creek, which flows from the west into the Arkansas near the State line. They therefore ordered out of this region one family, and one young man who was there at work. No violence has been used toward anybody, and none will be used.

Certain exaggerated reports have been spread by parties who wanted to keep certain tracts of land vacant till their own particular friends should arrive from the east; and by others, who wish to keep emigrants from passing through Eldorado, Augusta, etc., into the country below.

Permit me to say that the policy of certain merchants and other parties at Eldorado is rather short-sighted in this matter. To build up a wealthy and prosperous county here is to insure the prosperity and future greatness of Eldorado. Your town is now growing rich from the stream of immigration pouring hither through your streets. Your people cannot afford to so treat this current as to force its diversion into other and more direct routes.

Creswell was never more prosperous than now. Before November 1st, this will be the largest town in the Walnut Valley, Eldorado excepted. There are houses and places of business now under contract to insure this. We have been blessed with heavy and abundant rains, two showers falling on the night of the 23rd and morning of the 24th, which completely saturated the soil.

The Osages have gone out upon the plains. We have enjoyed an interview with Chetopah, Numpawalla, and others. They are friendly and peaceable. If the average of white men would be as orderly and law-abiding as the Osages, the legal profession would soon become extinct.

H. B. NORTON.

Walnut Valley Times, June 17, 1870.

THE OSAGE LANDS.

Dispatches of June the 8th state that the Osage Indian reservation question was disposed of in the Senate by adoption of Pomeroy's amendment, with some modification. The whole reservation of eight million acres is given up by the Indians, and sold to actual settlers only, at $1.25 per acreCthe usual school sections being reserved to the State of Kansas. The Indians get the entire proceeds of the sale, and go to a new reservation on the Creek and Cherokee lands, in the Indian Territory. These Osage lands were included in the Indian treaties some time ago withdrawn by the President. The treaty was made in Johnson's term, and conveyed the tract to a railroad company at about twelve cents per acre.

Walnut Valley Times, July 15, 1870. Front Page.

[From the State Record.]

We have already stated that the House Committee on Appropriations reported against the Senate amendment to the Indian appropriation bill authorizing the sale of the Osage land in Kansas at $1.25 per acre. The House concurred in this recommendation of the Committee, and Messrs. Sargent, Niblack, and Paine have been appointed a Committee of Conference on this and other rejected Senate amendments.

It is regretted that this matter should drag along as it does. The Indians are anxious to sell and quit the lands; and settlers are equally anxious to secure titles to homes upon the same.

Walnut Valley Times, July 22, 1870.

A brief dispatch states that the Osage Indian Lands will be disposed of to actual settlers at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, except school lands. This will be good news to the settlers on the thirty mile strip. The land will probably be surveyed soon.

Walnut Valley Times, July 29, 1870.

We take great pleasure in being able to present to our readers an official copy of the Osage bill as it passed Congress and became a law. It will be recollected that provision was attached to the Indian appropriation bill, and of course we omit all that portion relating to Indian appropriations. This is a triumph for Kansas. It reads as follows.

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That whenever the Great and Little Osage Indians shall agree thereto in such manner as the President shall prescribe, it shall be the duty of the President to remove said Indians from the State of Kansas to lands provided, or to be provided, for them, for a permanent home in the Indian Territory, to consist of a tract of land in compact form, equal in quantity to one hundred and sixty acres for each member of said tribe, or such part thereof as said Indians may desire, to be paid for out of the proceeds of the sales of their lands in the State of Kansas, the price per acre for such lands to be procured in the Indian Territory not to exceed the price paid, or to be paid, by the United States for the same.

And to defray the expenses of said removal, and to aid in the subsistence of the said Indians during the first year, there is hereby appropriated out of the treasury, out of any money not otherwise appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, the sum of fifty thousand dollars; to be reimbursed to the United States from the proceeds of the sale of the lands of the said Indians in Kansas, including the trust lands north of their present diminished reservation, which lands shall be opened to settlement after survey excepting the sixteenth and thirty-sixth section which shall be reserved to the State of Kansas for school purposes, and shall be sold to actual settlers only, said settlers being heads of families or over twenty-one years of age, in quantities not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres, in square form, to each settler, at the price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre; payment to be made in cash, within one year from the date of settlement, or of the passage of this act; and the United States, in consideration of the relinquishment by said Indians of their lands in Kansas, shall pay annually interest on the amount of money received as proceeds of sale of said lands, at the rate of five per centum, to be expended by the President for the benefit of said Indians in such manner as he may deem proper. And for this purpose an accurate account shall be kept by the Secretary of the Interior of the money received as proceeds of sale, and the aggregate amount received prior to the first day of November of each year shall be the amount upon which the payment of interest shall be based. The proceeds of the sale of said lands shall be carried to the credit of said Indians in the books of the treasury, and shall bear interest at the rate of five per cent per annum: Provided, That the diminished reserve of said Indians in Kansas shall be surveyed under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, as other public lands are surveyed, as soon as the consent of said Indians is obtained, as above provided, the expense of said survey to be paid from the proceeds of sale of said lands.

SEC. 16. And be it further enacted, That there be and is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, as compensation to the Osages for the stock of farming utensils which the United States agreed to furnish them by the second article of the treaty of January 11th, 1839, and which are only partly furnished, twenty thousand dollars; and as compensation for the saw and grist mill which the United States agreed by said treaty to maintain for them for fifteen years, and which were only maintained five years, ten thousand dollars, which sums shall be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, in the following manner: Twelve thousand dollars in erecting agency buildings and warehouses, a blacksmith's dwellings, and a blacksmith's shop, and the remaining eighteen thousand dollars in the erection of a school house and church, and a saw and grist mill, at their new home in the Indian Territory. Approved July 15, 1870.

Walnut Valley Times, October 7, 1870.

The Land Office at this place has received the following letter from the department at Washington, from which it will be seen that the Hon. Secretary of the Interior has decided that the State is not entitled to the 16th and 36th sections on the Osage and Indian Trust Lands for school purposes. These sections will now be open for settlement, and purchase under the Joint Resolution of April 10th, 1869, as the balance of the Osage Lands. This decision will not effect those sections on the Osage Ceded Lands. Humboldt Union.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

GEN. LAND OFFICE, Sept. 21, 1870.

GENTLEMEN: I enclose herewith for your information a copy of decision of Secretary of the Interior, dated 26th of August, 1870, relative to the claims of the State of Kansas to the 16th and 36th sections or equivalent therefore in the Osage Ceded and Trust Lands.

Very respectfully, JOS. S. WILSON, Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 26, 1870.

SIR: I have received your letter of the 5th of March last in regard to the right of the State of Kansas under the Joint Resolution of April 10th, 1870, to equivalents for 16 and 36 sections within Osage Ceded and Trust Lands where the same may have been settled upon prior to survey.

In reply I have to state that by the act of January 26th, 1861, there were granted to the State for Schools, Sections 16 and 36 in every township of Public Lands in said State, and where either of said sections or any part thereof has been sold or otherwise been disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to said state for the use of schools.

The lands embraced in the 2nd Article of the Osage Treaty (of Sept. 29th, 1870) are required to be sold in trust for the benefit of the Indians.

The United States acquired no beneficial interest in them, and in no sense can they be considered public lands. The State therefore has acquired no right through the United States, to any part of said lands and is not entitled to equivalents for such of the 16 and 36 sections as may be disposed of to pre-emptors.

The United States, however, purchased under the treaty the land embraced in the First Article, and therefore they became public lands, and for such of the 16th and 36th sections of them as may be sold or otherwise disposed of the state will be entitled to select equivalents, which must be taken as near as may be to the ceded tract.

Yours respectfully, Your ob't servant, J. D. COX, Sec'y.

Hon. Jos. S. Wilson, Commissioner of the General Land Office.

Walnut Valley Times, November 25, 1870. Col. A. J. Angell, Contracting Surveyor of Leavenworth, accompanied by his assistants, O. F. Short, of Leavenworth, Jeremiah Ellis, of Adams Co., Ohio; Lieut. Ludwitz, and M. Athey passed through our town on Monday last, en route to survey the Osage Indian Trust Lands, in Sumner and Cowley Counties. They expect to complete the survey by the middle of next April. The outfit consisted of 25 men, 6 horses, 9 yoke of oxen, and six two-wheel carts for hauling corner stones.

Emporia News, December 16, 1870.

ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS, December 9, 1870.

As most of your readers will know, this new city is built between the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers, within a mile and a half of their confluence. It is also within a few miles of the southern line of the State, dividing our territory from that of the Osage Indians. The extract I enclose from the Arkansas Traveler, will give a correct idea of the present state of these natives.

AThe Osages are all out on the hunt yet. Chetopah=s band are up near the head of the Nenescah. Hard Rope and Beaver are on Shawacospa and Little Salt Plains. The Big Hill=s are on Salt Fork and Medicine Lodge. The Black Dogs are still further south. The Cheyenne and Arapaho are hunting on the Salt plains, and seem friendly. The Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Caddo, Wichita, and other plains Indians held a grand council on the north fork of the Canadian about ten days ago, at which they all agreed not to go on the warpath this fall provided the Osage behaved themselves. All the plains Indians were represented except the Comanche. This report comes from good authority: Mr. O. P. Johnson, an old scout and plainsman.

ATwo of Hard Rope=s little chiefs were in town last week. They brought in a number of wolf skins, buck skins, furs, etc. Some of the wolf skins (brought from the Timber Mountains) measured near seven feet long, and were the finest we have ever seen. They were the White Mountain wolf.@

The land in this region is quite similar to that throughout the States excepting the sand mingled with the soil along the Arkansas bottoms. This improves it for tilling, and defends it somewhat against the consequences of both floods and drouths. For Irish and especially sweet potatoes, and all kinds of vines, melons, etc., it is superior. Fruits likewise flourish, and will in a few years greatly enhance the comforts and health of the people, if they will but take the pains to rear orchards. Strange, however, to say, that this luxury is about the last which enlists the attention of the settlers.

Near Manhattan I asked a thrifty farmer why he had not grown a young orchard during the five years he had lived on his farm, and he replied that cattle growing would pay much better. While somewhat thankful that he said cattle rather than swine, yet I could not avoid the sad reflection that he was missing the chief end of his life. Let it not be so with the readers of the Union. Since a thriving orchard of well selected fruit will bring more luxury into a family than all the stock, and the more money it brings, ever can. In this little city people are paying five cents per apple, and will do so for years, unless they at once begin to plant the seeds and the young trees. Inasmuch as their lands have not been surveyed, leaving them in uncertainty as to their future lines, they have a better excuse for delaying their orchards than others. But this obstacle is soon to disappear, since the Government surveyors are now in the field.

This city is but six months old, and has now attained to 63 houses and some 400 inhab-itants. Considering the difficulties of getting lumber and other building material, the success of the settlers is indeed commendable. Nearly all are comfortable and still improving. Two saw mills are now running day and nightCwhich with good timber nearbyCbegin to supply the demand, and make it much easier and cheaper to erect houses. A kinder, more hospitable, or on the whole, better class of people, I have nowhere found in Kansas.

But on the western frontier of Kansas, extending as it is said from Junction City into the Indian Territory, there is an organization of thieves, constituting the greatest of all draw-backs to the peace and prosperity of this, otherwise, most prominent region. For years the desperate reign of these desperadoes has been undisturbed, seldom has the law even so much as arrested them, and never, it is said, placed the first one in the place appointed for thieves & robbers. Two of them four or five weeks ago, at Emporia, stole the last dime ($65) a poor teamster had, and at the trial for the crime, were promptly turned loose to resume the practice of their profession. The next thing I heardCas they returned to Wichita and DouglassCwas of the detection of four of the gang, two Booths, Corbin, and Smith. In two or three weeks after this a number of honest citizens were arrested, charged by one of the thieves (as is generally believed) with murdering his four comrades. About the same time one Quimby, a leading merchant in Douglass, Mike Dray, his partner, Dr. Morris and his Son, were arrested, tried, and held to bail for stealing horses. While being guarded that they might procure the bail, Quimby and his wife made strong threats of raising their clan and taking vengeance upon the citizens, who were staking their all on Acleaning out@ the thieves. On Thursday night, 2nd inst., some seventy men came to relieve the guard, and end the practices of these wretched men. They were hung a mile and a half south of Douglass. This makes eight of the band that have been put out of the way lately, and I am assured by the best of citizens, that the battle being joined, never will they hold up, nor cry enough till it is decided whether thieves or honest men are to rule the valley, and upon this frontier.

Last May I wrote you of the slaughter of two Aunknown men@ near Wichita, labeled when found AHorse Thieves.@ It has since transpired that they were honest emigrants from Knox County, Illinois, and were murdered by this band for their team and money.

Now while all good people deeply deplore the necessity for this violence, but few can fail to see that this is the only available remedy. Honest citizens must surrender their homes and their all, and flee for refuge in quest of protection, or remove these thieves and robbers. The law, as I have said, and as all may know, has failed for years to regulate them, and there is now little hope of its doing so.

Corbin confessed and gave the names of some 50 of his clan, told where would be found stolen stock, and so it was. Hence it would seem, since they have deliberately and persis-tently outlawed all order and law, they have no right to complain that honest citizens deal to them summary justice, though not in accordance with the forms of law. W. P.

Emporia News, December 30, 1870.

We learn from the Arkansas Traveler that Capt. Norton has just returned from a trip to the Little Osage=s camp, on Slate Creek, where he has been for some days trading with them. He informs us that about thirty of the hunters had just got in from a twenty day=s hunt, and brought with them over 400 robes. This was an unusually good hunt. The balance of the hunters, about 150 or 200, are expected to come in a few days. They state that they did not see any wild Indians on the plains, and think they are below the Cimarron. Big Hill Joe=s band killed over 300 buffaloes on their first day=s hunt on the Salt Fork. The Osages will get about 5,000 robes on their first hunt, this winter. Their second hunt will come off early in January. It is calculated, from the way the hunting has been going on this winter, that 200,000 buffaloes will be killed by next spring.

The February 10, 1871, issue of the Emporia News had a clipping from the Schoolmaster, an educational periodical published at Chicago, concerning H. B. Norton, late Associate Principal of the Kansas State Normal School, and his brother, Gould Hyde Norton. It stated that there were nearly one hundred buildings, including mills, etc., in Arkansas City and that a large trade had been opened with the Osages and Texan drovers. ACapt. Norton will handle $30,000 in furs and robes this winter. As the Norton boys have a large share of the land, and as two railroads are sure to pass through their town, we, on the whole, are not disposed to blame the >Sage= for leaving the school room.@

Emporia News, March 3, 1871.

A great deal of embarrassment and trouble has been occasioned among the settlers on the Osage lands by the survey recently made by the engineer corps. They find that their original lines did not fall in the correct places, however pleasant they may have or would have been if properly located. Some find that their improvements are in one section, and the larger part of their original claim in another. The idea prevails that they must take a particular quarter of one section, and in order to adjust matters by this rule, they have been trading off, buying up, jumping, and quarreling. To get information in regard to the matter, our townsman, Mr. C. E. Kelsey, addressed Commissioner Drummond a letter, in reply to which he received the following letter.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE, Feb. 15, 1871.

Mr. E. C. KELSEY, Emporia, Kansas. SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., relative to the form of claims made upon Osage Indian lands.

In reply I say that a claim of 160 acres may be made in one section, or in different sections making 160 acres provided they are contiguous to each other, but not with other lands intervening. Very Respectfully, WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner.

From the above it will be seen that a man who has made improvements upon his claim does not necessarily lose them if the section or quarter lines happen to divide them from the larger part of the claim. He can retain a forty of one quarter and three forties of another; if it so happens that his claim is divided by the newly established lines; or he can hold his claim if one forty should be in one section and three forties in another, provided, in all cases, that his 160 acres are in one body.

Emporia News, April 7, 1871.

The Washington correspondent of the Lawrence Journal writes to that paper saying that Senator Pomeroy informed him that the Commissioner of the General Land Office has made a decision, of which, if it be acted upon, the settlers on the Osage diminished reserve will be glad to hear. This decision as furnished by the Journal correspondent is as follows.

1. All settlers upon the Osage diminished reserve and trust lands, who have settled upon these lands previous to the passage of the act for the disposal of these lands, will not be required to make payment on the 10th of April, but will be required to make payment on the 15th of July, 1871. In other words, payment is postponed from April to July.

2.All who settled upon the lands subsequent to the passage of the actCJuly 15th, 1870C

will have until one year from July, 1871, to make payment, or until July 1872.

3. The department construes the provision for re-entry in square form to mean as follows: Entries can be made in legal subdivisions. A settler can take four forties in a row, if there is no settlement on either of the forties. The quarter-section cannot be entered in ell shape, but can in the form of a parallelogram, or, of course, in square form, as provided by the act.

4. Actual settlement is a condition precedent to entry. Actual settlement is to be construed to mean six months continuous occupation and residence, and actual improvement of the lands to be entered.

Emporia News, April 7, 1871.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE, March 16, 1871.

GENTLEMEN: By the twelfth section of the act approved July 15th, 1870, making appropriations for the expenses of the Interior Department (pamphlet laws, page 363), provision is made to continue the disposal of the Osage trust lands upon the same terms as the Adiminished reserve,@ therein provided for. By these terms payment is to be made within one year from the date of act, or one year from date of settlement where made subsequent to the act.

By this extension, settlers on the Atrust lands@ need not make payment for their claims prior to the 10th of April next, the time when the resolution of the 10th of April, 1869, expires.

You will, therefore, allow no claims after the 10th of April, unless you shall have received definite instructions under the act of July 15th, 1870, which instructions are for the present delayed, in anticipation of additional action by Congress amending said act.

The AOsage lands@ (first article treaty 1865) are not covered by said act of July, 1870, consequently the settlers upon said lands must make proof and payment prior to the 10th of April next. Very respectfully, WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner. Humboldt Union.

Emporia News, April 28, 1871.

Robert Armstrong, Deputy U. S. Surveyor, has finished his portion of the work on the Osage Reservation. Last Monday he paid off his hands, some forty in number. The boys were not long, after receiving their currency, in laying in good clothes and other little tricks for human comfort and appearance. We are pleased to state that we did not see or hear of one of them getting under the influence of benzine. As a general thing they purchased what they were compelled to have and then put for home. Wichita Vidette.

Emporia News, May 19, 1871.

We find the following in the Humboldt Union.

WASHINGTON, April 26, 1871.

GENTLEMEN: It has been represented to this office that parties endeavor to speculate in the Osage lands by making claims, and then selling out and taking others. It is also represented that during the temporary absence of bona fide settlers, either for the purpose of bringing their families, or while engaged in their calling of Aherdsmen,@ their claims are Ajumped@ by other parties, etc.

With a view to protect the interests and rights of bona fide claimants, you will, therefore:

First, Require of all parties an affidavit, when filing, that they have not, since the passage of the act of July 15, 1870, for the disposition of said lands, sold their rights, or voluntarily abandoned any tract of said Osage lands, or settled upon, improved, or filed for any other tract of said lands than the one designated in said filing. This affidavit you will also require when the proof is made.

Second. Where, in contests between adverse claimants, it is shown by the first settler that he made a bona fide settlement, and that an absence from the claim was due to the reasons herein alluded to, you will give him the preference, provided he has in other respects complied with the requirements of our former instructions, giving of course, to the adverse claimant the right to appeal to this office. Very respectfully,

WILLIS DRUMMOND, U. S. Land Commissioner.

The following is extracted from an official letter received at the office of the superintendent of Indian affairs, giving an account of the attack recently made in the Indian Territory upon a party of Osages by white men, on the 13th inst.

No-pa-walla, chief of the Little Osages, and some of his head men, ten in number, started in the morning from their little village, which is about eight miles south of the Kansas line, to trade robes and furs of one of the border towns of the State. They were met when about two miles on their way, by seventeen border white men, armed with guns and revolvers, who demanded the return of a horse which they alleged had been stolen by some of the Osages. The chief assured them that his braves at the camp would find the horse for them if he was in their herds. The white men after consultation presented their arms and ordered the Indians to dismount, which some of them did; and others attempted to escape. The whites commenced firing at the Osages, and pursued them, the Indians making no resistance whatever, as they were unarmed. The chief was wounded slightly in the shoulder. Two of his men, inoffensive and peaceable like himself were badly, if not fatally wounded, and another was pursued to the river and killed. Another saved his life by diving into a lake.

Some of the Indians escaped to the village, and amidst great excitement about seventy-five warriors left in pursuit of the whites, and overtook them before they reached the state line, and as they refused to stop and deliver the ponies and robes which they had taken, they were fired upon by the Osages. One white man was killed, and two were taken prisoners; five horses were captured. The remainder of the marauders made their escape and spread the report that the Indians were perpetrating a general massacre of the women and children of the border.

The Indians released the two prisoners whom they captured, and also have given up the horses taken by them in the fight.

A delegation from the settlers on the border have brought down to the agency the pony which the thieves and murderers took with them, and seemed desirous of doing all they could to restore friendly relations with the Indians. Lawrence Tribune.

Walnut Valley Times, November 24, 1871.

Two men were found murdered within a short distance of Arkansas City a short time ago. Supposed to be the work of Osage Indians.

Walnut Valley Times, February 2, 1872.

[From the Arkansas TRAVELER.]

The Osages have about completed their fall hunt and will return to their camping ground on the Shawkaska in a few days. Considering that the buffalo have been driven so far west, they have made a good hunt. There are about four hundred lodges in the whole tribe, and it is said they will average about twenty-five robes to the lodge. The main herd of buffalo is about one hundred and twenty miles west of Arkansas City. Straggling heads are found within a distance of thirty-five miles west. As the Indians return, the buffalo will follow, and by next spring the bulk of them will be within a radius of thirty miles west.

We learn from parties on the Grouse that settlers are continually crowding into the Territory, near the mouth of Beaver Creek, on to the so-called Cherokee Strip, and that some have made permanent improvements. It does not seem right to have this tract of land set aside and held for Indians when there is not an Indian residing on it; and if any should be located thereon, they would not be able to gain a subsistence, as all the game has been frightened off and the buffalo driven far from them. Let the lands that are occupied by the Indians be held for them, and those that are not occupied and never will be, be brought into market for the settler. Although this land is very fertile and would make the best of farms for the settler, an Indian would starve to death if he were compelled to stay on it.

Walnut Valley Times, February 16, 1872. Settlers upon the Osage lands are to have one year's extra time to pay for their homes, upon paying ten percent interest.

Walnut Valley Times, April 12, 1872.

SETTLERS IN THE TERRITORY.

Senator Morrill of Maine recently introduced a resolution asking the Secretary of the Interior to furnish what information he might have respecting the occupancy of the Indian Territory by unauthorized persons. The reply was as follows.

I have respectfully to report the latest information on the subject is contained in a communication addressed to this office, 28th ultimo, by John B. Jones, United States agent of the Cherokee Indians, in which he quotes from a letter received by him from Isaac Gibson, United States agent for the Osage Indians, to the effect that the latter had been across the Arkansas River, twenty miles south of the Kansas line, where he found hundreds of settlers who informed him that all the good lands for fifteen miles down the river were claimed up; that most of the timber lands and valleys are claimed from Coffeyville to Arkansas River for twenty or thirty miles into the Indian Territory; that the settlers are sanguine of holding their claims, and say if they are not molested until the 1st of March, their numbers will be so great that the Government will not dare attempt their removal.

Agent Jones adds that there are also many intruders east of the ninety-sixth meridian in the Cherokee country. In addition to the foregoing, it is known that there are many intruders along the lines of the railroad in the Indian Territory, but this office is unable to give their number from the date at present in its possession.

Winfield Messenger, June 28, 1872.

WINFIELD, June 27th, 1872.

EDITOR MESSENGER: I fear many of the settlers, through a misunderstanding of the late act of Congress, will allow the time to pass at which they should prove up and enter their lands.

All parties whose date of settlement is subsequent to July 15th, 1870, and before the filing of the Government township plat in the local Land Office, must make proof within one year from the date of such filing of the plats. The plats of the Osage Diminished Reserve, as far east, and including range four, were filed in the Land Office then at Augusta July 10th, 1871.

This is as I understand the law, and as it is understood at the Land Office at Wichita.

Respectfully, J. M. ALEXANDER.

Winfield Messenger, September 20, 1872. Front Page.

Winfield Courier, April 10, 1873.

The following important order has been received at Wichita.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 17, 1873.

GENTLEMEN: I am in receipt of numerous applications through your office, from settlers of the Osage trust and diminished reserve lands, to prove up and pay for their claims, after the expiration of the year from settlement, and allowed by act of July 15th, under which said lands are sold. This question has been carefully considered, and you are now advised, that I can see no objection to applying to the settlers on these lands the same rules governing similar cases, elsewhere, to-wit: Where a party fails to make his proof and payment within the time required, but does subsequently appear and offer such proof, and tender payment, the same may be received if found satisfactory in other respects, Provided, no adverse right has attached to the land, and provided further, that they pay the 5 percent interest as required in the 2nd section, act of May 9th, 1872, when the claim is made under its provisions.

Of course, the settlers will understand that if they allow the time to expire, they do so at their peril, for in all such cases a subsequent right, with full compliance shown, will defeat the original claimant. * * * * Very respectfully, W. W. CURTIS, Assistant Commissioner.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873.

Suits have been brought in the United States District Court to determine the rights of parties on the Osage Ceded Lands, as between railroad grants and settlers.

Winfield Courier, May 27, 1873. W. B. Webb has filed in court a petition for a mandamus on the secretary of the interior to compel him to issue land patents for certain lands in Kansas. This land is a part of the Osage ceded land, and it is said that this case is a test one in which two or three hundred thousand acres are involved.

Winfield Courier, February 27, 1874.

Och-tun-ba-ka, and Nan-hunk-gah, stopped with us last Wednesday night and breakfasted with us the next morning. The former is a runner, and had a number of dispatches for different Agents. The latter was sent in by Hard Rope, who is camped on the west side of the Skiskaska, to have someone come down there to trade, which he failed to do. Och-tun-ba-ka is known as "Stanislaw" among the whites, and will be remembered by the early settlers. The peace treaty between the Osages and Cheyennes is very uncertain, and the Osages say, "maybe we fight, maybe we not when we meet. Don't know." Traveler.

Winfield Courier, March 20, 1874.

EXTENSION OF TIME.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1874.

MR. JONESCDear Sir: In reply to your favor in reference to the Osage lands, I have to say that it would give me great pleasure to be able to secure the points desired, time payments, etc. But it may be impracticable to accomplish it. Time payments on sales at minimum prices is entirely without precedent, and so embarrasses the operations of the land offices and the departments that there is great opposition to it. Taxation before final payment is also impracticable for the reason that taxation of lands can only be enforced by a sale of the land, and the Government will not allow its own rights to be prejudiced or defeated by tax titles. I think, however, we shall be able to get a bill through extending the time and thus give substantial relief. Yours, very sincerely, D. P. LOWE.

The above letter from Hon. D. P. Lowe to Mr. Jones will show what the Judge thinks about the matter of extending the time for the payment of the Osage lands and taxation of the same. Judge Lowe makes the same mistake that most of those high in authority generally make, viz: do nothing without a precedent. Now we have great respect for precedents, and think that it would be well for some of the servants of the people that we could name to model after some others, who have gone before; but when it comes to a matter of this kind we beg that precedents, of whatever name or description, will be discarded. Ours is just one of those conditions that want to get away from precedents. There is no precedent in the land laws of the United States that will suit our case. Just the opposite of all precedents in the management of these lands is what we want, and what we must have if we get relief at all. Away with your straight jacket precedents, and give us some original common-sense legislation.

Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.

NOTICE.

COMPLAINT having been entered at this office by William Marshall against Swan B. Huff for illegal Osage filing, No. 8822, dated Oct. 13, 1873, upon the Lots 1 and 12 and northeast 1/4 of N E 1/4 Section 30, Township 32 S, Range 3 East in Cowley County, Kansas, with a view to the cancellation of said filing; the said parties are hereby summoned to appear at this office on the 10th day of April, 1874, at 9 o'clock A. M., to respond and furnish testimony concerning said alleged fraud. W. J. Jenkins, Register.

Winfield Courier, May 8, 1874.

C. M. Scott of the Arkansas City Traveler, has been invited by his red brethren, the Osages, to accompany them on an extensive hunt, but declines with thanks.

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1874.

Bill Conner, an Osage Chief, married a Miss Angie Pyne, of Osage Mission, last week.

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1874. One of the last things Congress did on the eve of adjournment was to pass the bill extending the time for making proof and payment on the Osage Trust and Diminished reserve lands.

Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874.

On the morning of the 22nd inst., as Mr. H. H. Wiggins and son were returning from Medicine Lodge, and when about twelve miles southeast of that place, they were suddenly surrounded by about thirty Osage Indians and robbed of their teams. The men were not otherwise molested. The Messrs. Wiggins had been to Barbour County attending a lawsuit in which they were interested, and were returning loaded with cedar posts. The two teams are valued at six hundred dollars, and the loss falls with crushing weight upon the owners. Sumner County Press.

Winfield Courier, August 14, 1874.

While Captain Reeker's company of Kansas Militia were scouting down the Medicine Lodge in Barbour County on the 10th inst., they encountered about thirty Osages, whom they engaged in a lively tussle. Five Indians were killed and thirty ponies taken. The militia didn't lose a man. The fight took place some ten miles north of the line in the state of Kansas.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874. Capt. Kager's company (G.) will meet Saturday at the courthouse at 3 o'clock p.m., as seen by the card published elsewhere.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

Attention Battalion! Let every able bodied man attend the meeting at the courthouse tomorrow (Saturday) night to organize a Militia company.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

The Osage Land Case.

PARSONS, KS., August 22. Three years ago the title to one million acres of land in the counties of Neosho and Labette was considered perfect in the L. L. & G., and the M. K. & T. R. R. Companies; then the average price was $2.50 per acre. A mistaken land policy was adopted by Mr. Denison, Vice President, and Land Commissioner Goodnow, against the protest of the General Manager, Mr. Stevens. The appraisement was raised to five dollars and as high as twenty-five dollars per acre. It was oppressive and they could not pay for their land. Governor Osborn called the attention of the President to the existing facts, and aided by powerful friends and the State of Kansas, the settlers succeeded in having a suit brought by the U. S. District Attorney, to grant a title. Justice Miller and Judge Dillon have rendered a verdict which it is generally conceded will be affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States, giving the land to the settlers.

There is general rejoicing here tonight. At least five thousand people are here to celebrate their deliverance from the R. R. Companies. Speeches have been made by prominent citi-zens, and the little city of Parsons is wild with enthusiasm. Hon. M. W. Reynolds was particularly severe upon what he termed the suicidal and blundering policy of the Railroad Companies.

Reynolds said the beauties of the brother-in-law system was illustrated in the inefficiency and imbecility of Land Commissioner Goodnow, brother-in-law of Vice President Denison of the M. K. & T. Railroad, by which the road is now a loser to the amount of $2,000,000. Goodnow insulted the settlers, and Denison had upheld him in his weak and vacillating policy. He said if the liberal policy of General Manager Stevens had been adopted, it would have saved the road the lands of the company, and would have secured the good will of the now hostile people, among whom they now operate the road. He appealed to the Railroad Companies to employ only those who were competent, and who, by their western sense and gentlemanly demeanor, command the confidence, respect, and esteem of the people in the hour of the people's triumph. He counseled aid and encouragement to all legitimate enter-prises for the development of the country. There are thirty thousand people upon these lands

whose friends will rejoice with them at this glorious decision. Speeches were made by Mayor Matthewson, Ed Davis, T. C. Corry, and others. At a late hour the people adjourned, feeling that for the first time they could go to their own homes.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22. The following telegram was received here today from Gov. Osborn, of Kansas: "I have information through Indian Agent Stubbs and other sources, that the Osage tribe of Indians have, at a general council, declared war against this State. Depredations have already been committed by them on our southern border. The State has but few arms, and the United States troops, before guarding the line, being new in the Indian Territory, at a great distance from the Osage Reservation, exposes the frontier settlements of this State to great danger. With arms we can defend our border. Can you furnish 2,000 carbines and accouterments, and 100,000 cartridges on account of the State of Kansas!"

The telegram has been referred to the war department.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874. On the 24th inst., Agent Stubbs, of the Osages, and Enoch Hoag, had a conference with Gov. Osborn, on affairs of the Osage tribe today. They asked for the restoration of horses and ponies captured by Capt. Ricker's troop of militia.

Agent Stubbs said that the Osages had given them but ten days to return with the ponies, during which time they would maintain an armistice; if they were not returned, he intimated that trouble might be feared from them. Governor Osborn said that he would not temporize with the Indians by any such concession; that the Indians must prove that they had no knowledge of the existing order as to the return of the Osages to their reservations or any hostile intention and disprove the claim made by Captain Ricker's, that they fired upon them first. These conditions are impossible for the Osages to comply with.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

The militia meeting which was advertised for Saturday night was so poorly attended that the meeting was postponed until Monday evening, the proceedings of which will be found elsewhere. There are some fourteen companies in this and adjoining counties, already organized, and others are rapidly being formed. Gov. Osborn has telegraphed to the President for arms and ammunition and when they arrive, we think the people along the border will be abundantly able to protect themselves against all Indian invasions.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

Pursuant to a call, the citizens of Winfield and vicinity met at the courthouse on Monday evening, the 24th, electing J. J. Williams as chairman, and W. W. Walton Secretary; E. B. Kager stated the object of the meeting to be the organization of a company of State Militia.

Capt. J. B. Nipp, being called upon, made some very good suggestions besides giving the latest news from the frontier. He thought that there was more danger of an invasion by the Indians now than there had ever been. The Osages demanded the return of the ponies and one thousand dollars each for the Indians killed in the recent engagement with the Militia. These terms will not be conceded by the Governor, and an open war on the extreme border this fall and winter is threatened.

A sufficient number having signed the necessary oath, they were sworn in by Capt. Nipp. They then proceeded to the election of officers, resulting as follows: Capt., E. B. Kager; 1st Lieut., A. T. Shenneman; 2nd Lieut., L. J. Webb; Orderly Sergeant, W. W. Walton.

Recruiting has begun in earnest, and a large company will be formed here, the necessary arms and accoutrements will be sent on immediately. Yesterday Capt. Kager received the following from Col. Norton which explains itself.

ARKANSAS CITY, August 26, 1874.

CAPTAIN KAGER: Please report to me the number of effective men in your company that you can count on to go, both mounted and unmounted. This is by order of the Adjutant General. He says: "Have all the companies carefully inspected and accept none but first-class men for service." Yours, G. H. NORTON, Lieut. Col. Kansas Militia.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

A. C. Williams, special agent of the Kickapoos, whose agency is about twenty-five miles below Arkansas City, sent in word to Capt. Norton a few days ago for assistance to protect himself and little band of Indians and the agency from the Osages. Mr. Osage had been making some hostile demonstrations. The Captain provided the required aid.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

Items from the Traveler.

TO THE PUBLIC. Whereas unfounded rumors greatly exaggerating the present Indian difficulties have within the past few days been put in circulation, this is to give notice that any person caught in the act of originating and circulating falsehoods tending to disturb the peace and quiet of the community will be arrested and handed over to the proper authorities and dealt with according to law. G. H. NORTON, Capt. Militia.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874. The Militia of Barbour County scalped the Indians whom they killed at Medicine Lodge recently.

The following dispatch was received by Captain Norton on Saturday evening.

TOPEKA, KANSAS, August 28th, 1874.

Capt. G. H. NortonCArkansas City: Your company is ordered into active service, to commence from this date. Orders will be sent tomorrow. Supplies shipped to Wichita.

C. A. MORRIS, Adj. Genl.

The fifty ponies captured from the Osages by the Barbour County Militia are herded at Medicine Lodge daily and brought within the stockade each night for safe keeping. They are held by Captain Ricker's company subject to the order of Gov. Osborn. The Governor will not deliver them back to the Osages unless they can prove:

1st. That the Indians from whom they were taken were a hunting party without hostile intentions to the citizens of Kansas.

2nd. That the Indians had not learned the order of their Agent to return to their reservation.

3rd. That the Indians did not fire first upon the Militia.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

Arms. 120 stand of arms arrived at Arkansas City the other day, for the use of the Militia.

Capt. W. S. Coburn, at the mouth of Grouse Creek, has a Militia company of forty men.

A Militia company has been organized in the vicinity of Maple City in the southeast part of the county. R. W. McNown, Captain; John Babbitt, 1st Lieutenant; and B. C. French, 2nd Lieutenant. L. W. Graham is Orderly Sergeant.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

Prof. L. B. Kellogg, after spending two days at the Osage Agency last week, and learning the deliberations of a two week's council of all the Osages, says there is no danger of an outbreak by the tribe. He says, however, that small parties of the young men in squads of ten or fifteen, may slip out and do mischief to isolated settlers.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

Allison says that A. H. Green isn't fit to be general of the Militia of the southwest. Mr. Green was a captain during the rebellion, and carries recommendations signed by six or eight generals, among whom is the name of Gen. Sherman. Whether Green is capacitated for commanding the Militia is only a difference of opinion between Allison and Gen. Sherman.

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1874. Quite a number of "the boys" of this city are serving in the Arkansas City militia: Wirt Walton, Bob Sheather, Billy Anderson, and Douglas Hite, a former employee of this office. They are now doing their duty as soldiers. L. J. Webb went down to the City to enlist, but was taken sick and brought home.

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1874.

Agent Gibson canceled the contracts for flour from this place to the Osages, and declares that we shall have no more of the Indian trade as long as the Militia remains on the line. We had better let the contracts go than to have no farming along the line. Arkansas City Traveler.

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1874.

The following act passed by congress in the last days of the session, will no doubt be of benefit to some few of the settlers on these lands. Most of the papers publish it under the head of "Homesteads," which will have a tendency to mislead some.

TO OSAGE SETTLERS.

An act to extend the time for completing entries of Osage Indian lands in Kansas.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.

That all actual settlers on the Osage Indian trust and diminished reserve lands in the State of Kansas shall be allowed one year from the passage of this act, in which to make proof and payment;

Provided That all purchasers who avail themselves of the provisions of this act, shall pay interest on the purchase price of their lands at the rate of five per centum from the date when payment was required by previous laws to date of actual payment;

And, provided further, That no further extension of payment shall be granted, than that provided for in this act, and that all occupants on said Osage lands shall file their applications to purchase the lands occupied by them, within three months after the passage of this act, or forfeit all right or claim to the same.

Approved June 23, 1874.

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

Arms From the Government.

A short time back Governor Osborn asked of the president five hundred stands of arms, with which to equip men for the defense of the southwestern and western frontier. He was curtly informed by the secretary of war (to whom the application was referred) that Kansas could get no arms unless she paid for them in advance, as she had already owed for some before received.

In Tuesday's Commonwealth, a lengthy letter from the Governor to the President is published in which the whole matter is shown up in its true light. The Governor shows that nearly all the arms charged to the state are inferior muzzle loaders which were furnished Kansas militia to assist the federal troops in driving back General Price when he invaded Missouri in 1864. He holds that as Kansas militia gallantly assisted in the defeat of the rebel army, the arms with which they then were furnished should not be charged to the state, at least not without permitting an exchange of the same for breech loaders.

The last position he grounds upon the fact that the Indians have the best Winchester and needle guns, and that it is folly for militia with muzzle loaders to attack them.

The governor further shows that first and last Kansas has expended $350,000 in defending her citizens against Indians whose good behavior the general government guaranteed. The governor further shows that the United States military in this state is entirely inadequate to protect the settlers whenever the redskins conclude to go on a marauding and murdering expedition, and that for the last two months, almost daily news has been received of citizens in this state being murdered or robbed by the pets of the Washington officials. In short, he makes out a case that will meet with the endorsement of every man on the frontier except the bloodless Quaker agents, who, as a rule, are determined to report peace so long as the stealings are remunerative. It is to be hoped that the action of the governor will materially assist the agencies at work to secure a transfer of the Indian affairs to the war department. The miserable muffs and fools in the east who know nothing practically about the redskins have had their say long enough. Let the advice of the west be honored with an experiment, at least.

Winfield Courier, September 25, 1874.

Items from the Traveler.

Fight. A couple of the regular privates had a set-to, at their camp, last Friday. The row was occasioned by general growling, common to camp life.

Camp Moved. The Militia camp has been removed from the mouth of Grouse to near Polk Stevens, on the State line on account of water.

Go West. One half of the Militia company will be stationed west of Caldwell, this week. There will be a demand for one or two more companies then.

Fired On. A report was brought in last Monday that three white men were fired on by three Indians, last Sunday, while in the Territory, a distance of about ten miles.

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874.

Items from the Traveler.

Prof. Norton will remove his family to Emporia next week.

Major Upham, of the U. S. Army, has been in town for several days, ascertaining the truth of reports concerning the late Indian depredations. He is under Gen. Pope and has charge of the U. S. troops between Caldwell and this place. Since his arrival here, he has been very energetic, and made every effort to secure all possible information.

More Scalping Soon.

We learn from several reliable sources that from sixty to one hundred Osages left their Agency for the plains last Friday weekCthey said to hunt buffaloCbut it is pretty well understood by all that it is for the killing of their two last comrades, in Barbour County. Mr. Gibson did all he could to persuade them not to go, but he could not. Killing and scalping will undoubtedly take place, but, of course, it will not be by Osages, as they are always on their reserve. Word should be sent to the Medicine Lodge country, and more militia called out at once, to send aid to the western counties if they prove too many for the white settlers. Capt. Norton is already in that vicinity, but with only twenty men.

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874. Bob Shethar returned from Arkansas City this week looking very much like a shadow, caused by a siege of the intermittent fever. Soldiering didn't agree with most of the boys, and certainly not with Bob.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1874.

A GOOD WORD FOR KANSAS.

Mr. S. P. McKelvey, who headed the "farmer's excursion" from Illinois, a short time ago, writes to the Clinton, Illinois, Register, concerning Kansas and Cowley, as follows.

Time nor space will permit us to give but an extract. . . .

Leaving Winfield, I visited Colonel Norton's headquarters in the Indian Territory. Found quite a number of soldiers encamped there. Saw a scouting party of Kansas militia form in line of battle and start for the interior. Saw Mr. Williams (the broad brimmed hat Quaker Indian Agent), with a party of friendly Indians, who were fleeing for safety. After a pleasant conversation with Col. Norton, I began to retrace my steps back into the state of Kansas. As I had "lost no Indians," I could not see the necessity of going farther. . . .

Winfield Courier, October 22, 1874.

A Telegraph dispatch says: The commission appointed to investigate the facts relative to the recent alleged murder of five Osage Indians by the Kansas militia have submitted their report to the commissioner of Indian affairs. They find that the attack on the Indians was unprovoked and utterly unjustifiable, and presume that when the attention of Kansas is called to the evidence in the case they will not hesitate to direct the return of the property captured from those friendly Indians, and it is recommended that in any case the government of the United States should see that the Osages are reimbursed.

The cold-blooded murder was the commencement of the "Indian war" on our Southern border, and if Governor Osborn had done his duty, he would have had the murderers arrested long ago. He and they are virtually responsible for the death of all the whites killed down there by the Indians since that time. Manhattan Nationalist.

Be it remembered that the meaning of the above, so far as the Nationalist is concerned, is its bitter hostility to Gov. Osborn. And because of Griffin's hatred of Osborn, it is willing to brand the brave men who are defending our homes and our scalps from the cruel blood-thirsty savages, as thieves and murderers.

Winfield Courier, December 10, 1874. A. A. Chamberlain was elected First Lieutenant, in the militia, in place of A. J. Pyburn, resigned, and William Wilson, instead of A. D. Keith, who also resigned. Others in the company were promoted.

The Militia are stationed in town for a few days, awaiting rations. It is not definitely known yet whether they will be mustered out, as Indians are frequently seen on the plains.

Winfield Courier, December 10, 1874.

MEDICINE LODGE, Nov. 25th, 1874.

EDITOR COURIER: Please announce through the columns of your paper the death of J. W. Palmer (familiarly known as Chubbie), son of Minor L. and Eula Palmer, early settlers and for a long time residents of Winfield.

The deceased came to his death on the 28th day of October, 1874, by the accidental discharge of a shot gun while he was duck hunting. He was seventeen years of age, was a member of Co. A, Barbour County Militia, and took part in the engagements had between the Osage Indians and Company A at Red mounds in Harper County, August 7th, 1874, where he distinguished himself for his bravery in his efforts to overtake the fleeing savages. Though the youngest, yet the foremost in the pursuit.

His remains were escorted to their last resting place by Company A and many citizen friends. His death was a severe blow not only to his parents, but to his many friends and associates, as he was loved and esteemed by all who knew him.

M. W. SUTTON, Co. Atty. Medicine Lodge, Barbour Co., Kansas.

Winfield Courier, January 7, 1875.

The law that has just passed congress allowing pre-emptors and householders who have been driven from their homes by the destitution caused by the grasshoppers to leave for a year without forfeiting rights does not apply to the Osage lands.

Winfield Courier, January 7, 1875.

Orders have been issued from Washington, requiring every Indian to remain upon the reservation, and only leave when given a written permit by the Agent. If found off the reservation, without a permit, he is to be treated as a hostile Indian.

Winfield Courier, February 11, 1875. The bill establishing a territorial government in the Indian Territory is virtually killed in congress.

Winfield Courier, February 25, 1875. There is a small paper printed at the Osage Indian Agency, called the Indian Herald. It contains considerable spice.

Winfield Courier, March 4, 1875.

Our old friends, the Osages, are doing something at their new home fifty miles southeast of here. From the Herald published there we learn that 534 families have selected homes, 324 families have land in cultivation, 110 have houses. They have 400 cattle, 8,240 ponies, 176 horses, 110 mules, 20 oxen, and 2,400 hogs, besides other stock and improvements.

The tribe numbers about three thousand persons. During the year 1874 they built 3,000 rods of fence and near 600 Indians were engaged in agriculture and other civilized departments. They raised about 6,000 bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of oats, 10,000 bushels of potatoes, and many other vegetables, which are conducive to the comfort and health of the human race.

They have near 17,000 ponies, cattle, and hogs. They have good saw and grist mills at the agency, where many full bloods have rendered competent service. There may now be found on the reservation near 140 dwellings, occupied by members of the tribe, more than half of whom are blanket Osage.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

Bill Conner, an Osage chief, was recently in Arkansas City. Pausing in front of the little meeting house for a moment, he went in and took his seat among the congregation. The preacher was discoursing on the text of the "sheep and the wolves," and had evidently been drawing a contrast between the two subjects. "We who assemble here from week to week and perform our duty are the sheep, now who are the wolves?" A pause, and our friend Conner rose to his feet: "Wa'al, stranger, rather than see the play stopped, I will be the wolves!" The preacher was vanquished. Arkansas City Traveler.

Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875. C. M. Scott, of the Traveler, struts around Arkansas City now with the scalp of a Cheyenne chief dangling to his belt. It was not taken by C. M., but was given to him by an Osage admirer, who has taken eleven in his time.

C. M. Scott passed through town Tuesday morning on his way to Manhattan to meet his brother quill drivers.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

Andrew Cock, an old and valued citizen of this county, came here some years ago and improved a farm. Under the stringent laws of congress in relation to the Osage Lands and harsh rulings of the Interior Department, Mr. Cock had to mortgage his claim to raise the money with which to enter the same. Unfortunately for him, he fell into the hands of the genus money shark. And now, at the end of two years, the mortgage of $200 reaches the sum of $442, and the old man loses his home. Yesterday morning he departed for California to end his days. Let us hope, without again falling into the hands of robbers.

Winfield Courier, June 10, 1875. Front Page.

WASHINGTON, May 24. The commissioner of the general land office decides that the benefits extended by law to preemptors who, by reason of the ravages of the grasshoppers, are compelled to leave or be absent from their lands, may also be extended to preemptors where crops have, in like manner, been destroyed, but who have nevertheless continued their residence upon their claims.

Those whose crops were destroyed or seriously injured in 1874, will be entitled to an extension of one year from said affair July 1st, 1875, and when injury occurs in 1875, the extension will date from July 1st, 1876.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

The following is the latest from headquarters in regard to the Osage Trust and Dimin-ished Reserve lands. Notwithstanding the hint thrown out by the Hon. Commissioner, we would advise settlers to bide their time, rather than mortgage at a ruinous interest.

GENERAL LAND OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., May 31st, 1875.

The Receiver's letter of the 21st inst., concerning the matter of allowing entries on the Osage Trust and Diminished Reserve lands after June 23rd, 1875, has been received.

Claimants for these lands under the act of July 15th, 1870, will be allowed to make entries on due proof after June 23rd, 1875, when their settlements were initiated prior to June 23rd, 1874; and after the expiration of one year from settlement when the same was made subsequent to June 23rd, 1875, and payment of 5 percent interest from date when the entry should have been made, to the time of actual settlement; providing no adverse claim shall have intervened. They will, however, postpone entry beyond the legal period at their peril.

S. S. BURDETT, Com. To U. S. Land Office, Wichita, Kan.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

The old settlers of Cowley remember No-pa-wal-la. He is gone. We take the following from the Coffeyville Courier.

From Jessie Morgan we learn of the death, at the Osage Agency, last Friday, of No-pa-wal-la, Chief of the Little Osage Band. He was well advanced in years, and at one time the most noted warrior of the tribe. Of late years, however, he has taken a peculiar interest in the work of Indian civilization, and proved a valuable assistant to the agents and others engaged in the work. He was respected and admired by all who knew him, both white and red, and his funeral, which took place last Saturday, was perhaps the largest ever witnessed in the Territory. His remains were taken to agent Gibson's house, where an appropriate ceremony took place. During the ceremony speeches were made by several Indian chiefs, and many were moved by the touching pathos and sensible points contained in those impromptu addresses. The remains were deposited in the Agency Cemetery, and were followed to the grave by an immense concourse of Indians and white men.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

Attention, Company G!

In pursance with an order from Headquarters, Co. G., of Cowley County Militia, will meet at the Courthouse in Winfield, Saturday evening, the 19th, inst., at 8 o'clock sharp, to elect officers to fill the present vacancies in said company, and to transact such other business as may possibly come before them. By order.

A. T. SHENNEMAN, 1st Lieut. and Acting Com.

Winfield Courier, June 24, 1875. Frank Gallotti wants another Indian war since he is Quartermaster Sergeant of company "G."

At the meeting held by Company "G," last Saturday night, A. T. Shenneman was elected Captain, W. M. Boyer, 1st Lieut.; and J. E. Saint, 1st Sergeant. 2nd Lieut. Webb gave notice of his intention to resign, and Wirt W. Walton was recommended to fill the vacancy.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875. Henry W. Cook, senior member of an extensive law firm of Wyandotte and Kansas City, passed through here last Sunday en route for the Osage Agency, to attend to business concerning a cattle lawsuit.

Winfield Courier, July 29, 1875.

Indian Affairs.

By request of Mr. Berkey, of Arkansas City, on the 14th of this month we wrote Mr. Enoch Hoag, inquiring whether it would be any violation to existing government regulations of Indian Affairs to sell flour or wheat at the intermediate points along the Arkansas River in the territory should flat boating prove successful down said river. The following letter is an answer to ours. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,

CENTRAL SUPERINTENDENCY,

LAWRENCE, KAN., July 22, 1875.

T. A. WILKINSON, Supt. Pub. Instruction, Winfield, Kansas.

I am in receipt of the communication of 14th instant, inquiring whether the sale of wheat and flour along the Arkansas River, in the Indian Territory at points where the demand and price would be sufficient to induce such sale, would be any violation of Gorvernment regulations, etc.

In reply I have to call thy attention to the 2nd section of the "Intercourse Law," the first clause of which I quote, to-wit: "That no person shall be permitted to trade with any of the Indians (in the Indian country), without a license therefor from a Superintendent of Indian Affairs, or Indian Agent, or Sub Agent," etc.

Section 4 says: "And be it further enacted, That any person, other than an Indian, who shall attempt to reside in the Indian country as a trader, or to introduce goods, or to trade therein without such license, shall forfeit all merchandise offered for sale to the Indians or found in his possession, and shall moreover forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars."

I am of the opinion that the traffic proposed would be a violation of the foregoing, and perhaps other clauses of the "Intercourse Law." Very Respectfully, ENOCH HOAG, Supt.

Winfield Courier, July 29, 1875. Tolles was his name, Dan Tolles, he said, and he was from Beaver Creek, in the southeast corner of the county. He had run all the way from the state lineCon a hair line. The Osage Indians had killed his brother, Sam Tolles, and he, Dan Tolles, had killed as many of them as they had of him and the remainder of them pursued, fired at, and tried to kill him again, but he had out winded 'em and give them the slip, and now he wanted to raise a company of men (Capt. Shenneman and his militia company would do if he couldn't get boys and private citizens enough) to go down and massacre these cruel savages, recover the body of his brother, and stop them in their murderous work.

The above we caught from the hurried and excited conversation of a travel-soiled, hair-disheveled, badly frightened, crazy looking individual who suddenly appeared on our streets last Thursday.

We thought at the time the man was crazy and our surmises have since been proved to be correct. From Mr. Wm. Bartlow, of town, we learn that last Thursday morning while coming home from his mill on Grouse Creek, he was overtaken by this same man, who was at the time terribly excited. He said the Indians were just behind him and were trying to kill him. He wanted Mr. Bartlow to hide him. Mr. Bartlow thinking there might be some truth in the statement, hurriedly helped him into his wagon, covered him up with some blankets, and drove on. Soon, however, he came to a place where the road was new; being in doubt, got out and went ahead to reconnoiter. Returning in a few moments to his team, he saw this strange man jump from the wagon, and on seeing him, started off down the hill at breakneck speed, screaming at every jump, and he only stopped, as we suppose, when he reached our city as above described.

From parties living in the neighborhood we learn that there have been no Indians except a few begging Kaws down there since the Indian war and that this man Tolles must actually be crazy. He left town Friday and we have heard nothing of him since.

Winfield Courier, August 5, 1875.

The Wellington Press says: "The Osage Indians who have been collecting toll from the Texas cattle herds on the trail near Skeleton Creek, have been attacked and dispersed by United States cavalry. The Indians fled in confusion, their camp and equipage in possession of the soldiers. This will probably stop their depredations for some time to come."

Winfield Courier, August 12, 1875. The Indians will hold a grand "Indian Inter-National Fair" on the 15th, 16th, and 17th, at Muskogee, on the M. K. & T. R. R., while the Osages, only a hundred miles west, will keep right on bagging cattle drovers as they pass up and down the trail. The one will not conflict with the others in the least.

Winfield Courier, October 14, 1875. We have been informed by a reliable gentleman living on the State line that the war the Traveler and leading citizens of Arkansas City have been making on Osage Indian Agent Gibson have caused him to give to Coffeyville the trade which naturally belongs to their City and our county. We don't know that to be the real cause, but give the information for what it is worth.

Winfield Courier, December 23, 1875. The contract for supplying beef cattle to the Osage Indians was awarded last week, in Lawrence, by Superintendent Hoag. Of the several bids received, that of Hewins, Lawrence & Titus, of Chautauqua County, Kansas, was considered the most satisfactory, and that firm received the award. The bid was $2.45 per hundred, and the entire contract amounts to over $20,000.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876. The U. S. Army Medical Department furnishes medical supplies for the service at the Osage Agency.

The Indians can play seven up as well as other people.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.

I have on hand constantly a large assortment of INDIAN PICTURES, OF THE OSAGE, KAW, KICKAPOO, AND OTHER TRIBES.

VIEWS Of all sizes, from Card de Vista to 11 x 14. Also Stereoscopic views of this vicinity on hand, and made to order. Views of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Look Out Mountain and vicinity, made during the war for sale. All kinds of pictures copies and enlarged, plain or colored. All Work Warranted Good or No Pay.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876.

POND CREEK, I. T., Jan. 26, 1876.

I thought I would drop you a few lines and give you some of the news from this locality. A number of the Osage Indians have been camped here all winter, and have sent out hunting parties to the plains. The parties met with little success hunting buffalo, having to go 50 miles beyond Camp Supply. On their return, when about twenty miles east of Supply, they commenced killing cattle, thereby getting the soldiers after them. On or about the 22nd, the soldiers struck a camp of the Indians, killed one of the Big Hills, and took one girl, one woman, and a small boy prisoners, with about forty head of stolen ponies and mules. They struck one old woman on the head with a revolver, and left her for dead; but the old lady has come in, and is in a fair way to recover. I will write again. W. J. KEFFER.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876.

On Tuesday, January 25th, twenty Osage Indians, of the Bill Hill band, camped at the mouth of the Shawkaska. Two of them went to Wilcox's herd of cattle, killed a beef, and were carrying it off, when one of the men with the herd saw them, and shot a load of buckshot into one of them. He fell from his horse, and is supposed to have been killed. They had killed nineteen cattle altogether and would probably have taken more if rash measures had not been resorted to. Fifteen men were sent for to come down and help the herders.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876.

A BAND OF THIEVING OSAGES JUSTLY DEALT WITH.

(Special to Leavenworth Times.)

CAMP SUPPLY, I. T., Jan. 27.

As the settlers on the border between Kansas and Indian Territory are periodically troubled by thieving bands of Osage Indians, it may interest your readers to know that at least one of their raids has ended in disaster to the noble savage.

On the night of the 19th inst., a messenger arrived at this post with news that a party of Osages had stolen about fifty head of cattle from the camp of Lee & Reynolds, about thirty-five miles south of this place. The herders had followed the trail for about fifteen miles, but being unable to overtake the Indians, one of them was sent into this place to procure aid.

Major Gordon, of the Fifth Cavalry, commanding this post, immediately ordered pursuit. Lieut. Bishop, of the Fifth Cavalry, with fifteen men, started the same night at 12 o'clock, with orders "to punish the Indians should the latter be overtaken; if necessary, to pursue them to their agency and demand the surrender of the thieves and stolen stock." Scout Amos Chapman accompanied the command as guide.

Lieut. Bishop arrived at the scene of the robbery, and started at once upon the trail.

The detachment returned today, bringing as prisoners, three squaws, one boy, and thirty-five Indian ponies.

I learn that at about noon on the 25th inst., Lieut. Bishop arrived near the Indian camp, located in high grass, their ponies grazing on a neighboring hill. Dismounting his men, and favored by a heavy atmosphere, the Indians were taken by surprise.

The latter, being dismounted, were unable to escape; and rather than surrender, made a determined fight. Three Indians were killed, several wounded, who escaped, and the whole band dispersed.

With one exception, all the lodges were burned. One old squaw declared she would rather be killed than go as a prisoner. She was left, the sole occupant of the camp that a few hours before contained so many thieving Indians. The stolen cattle had been slaughtered before the Indians had been overtaken. The prisoners acknowledged the guilt of their band.

The loss they have received will serve as a check to future raids, and the punishment upon them has been richly deserved, for their depredations for some years in this section.

Lieutenant Bishop is deserving of great praise for the prompt manner in which he executes orders and Osages at the same time. C. M. L.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 16, 1876.

Col. Hiatt and Dr. Dougall, of Osage Agency, have just returned from the plains, where they have been looking after the Osages. Col. Hiatt's health was not the best during the tour.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 16, 1876.

MR. HIATT, of Osage Agency, has in his house a barometer, so arranged that twenty-four hours in advance of fair weather, a puppet image of a lady appears at the door of a miniature house, and in bad weather a man appears. A number of the Osage Indians watched it for a long time, until they found it never failed, and were ready to worship it; but on being convinced a white man had made it, they exclaimed: "Whity man purty near a God." They are generally inclined to a Catholic view of religion, if they accept orthodox principles at all.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 23, 1876. Editorial Page.

In conversation with Col. J. M. Hiatt, a gentleman of more than ordinary education and culture, who has spent years with the Osage Indians, we learn that the tradition of the first landing of the Indians in the New World has been repeated over to the chosen young braves of the tribes, from one generation to another, until today they have what is supposed to be nearly the original language and words of their forefathers.

They claim their pilgrims came from the West in a boat; there were seven in number, and landed on the Pacific coast, where the Great Spirit rested on their shoulders and told them this land was their own. Until the whites came among them, they lived in happiness, but now begin to realize that step by step they must go backward, until they are driven into the waters of the ocean.

Indians are generally of a melancholy disposition, and their religion tends to make them more so. When one of their number dies, it is their belief that the spirit of the departed hovers about in agony until the scalp of an enemy is taken to accompany it to the happy hunting grounds. For this purpose they organize "mourning parties," and go on the warpath when they are otherwise peaceable.

Among the Osages are Masons, which it would seem could hardly be creditable, but is nevertheless a fact. It is supposed they were taken into the Order by the French, in the early days, and they return part of the workings of the craft to this day.

As proof of this, Mr. Hiatt (who is a member of the Commandery) was asked to walk out one day by a more than ordinarily intelligent Indian. After walking some distance, the Indian motioned him to sit down. He could not speak a word of English. Mr. Hiatt sat down, and after strict trial, found the red man to be a Master Mason.

We have been informed that among the Cheyennes there are also MasonsCwhich goes to show that they are adepts in secret orders, and pride and enjoy themselves in secrecy. There are many remarkable traits yet with our red brethren, which would make a volume of history if properly understood.

Among the Pawnees who grace our streets every day are men who have held responsible positions of trust in times of trouble, and whose experience would be a lesson to the world, could it be given as they only give it to those of their own kin.

There is a vast study and wide scope for the philanthropist in this region, of which few avail themselves, when it is within a stone's throw of our door.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 23, 1876. Mr. John Florer came in from the plains last Friday. The Osages made a very poor hunt, and returned home very much chagrined.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876.

Many Osage Indians who were the first to adopt a life of civilization commenced raising hogs, and the result is that they have not only had all the pork necessary for their own use, but have sold a great many hogs to settlers in Southern Kansas. Quite a number of sales have been made by them recently, and one sold as high as $150 worth. These facts show that the present policy of dealing with the Indians has, so far, been the most successful, and if continued for a few years, the Osage Indians will show a record which will put to shame the majority of those who have been opposed to the policy. The health of these Indians who have left their former mode of living for a life of civilization has been better since than for a good many years before. They notice that such is the case and are thereby greatly encouraged.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1876.

We give below extracts from the annual report of the Hon. Edward P. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in reference to affairs at Osage Agency.

The Osages in the northern part of the Indian Territory, between the Arkansas River and the 96th meridian, number 3,001; of these, 323 are mixed bloods, who are self-supporting and may be considered civilized.

Great changes have been wrought among the full bloods during the last two years in the direction of abandoning the wigwam and blanket and the chase. Owing to the failure of their first crop, one year ago, they were entirely subsisted during the winter on supplies, purchased by Government with their large annuity, but issued only in return for labor.

The crops raised by both full-bloods and half-breeds this season are 5,500 bushels corn, and 19,200 bushels wheat, and 9,500 bushels vegetables, which, if ever distributed, would be sufficient to supply the whole tribe with bread for a year.

Most of 150 families who have not recovered claims have fenced fields and have raised good crops, but have been influenced by evil-designing men outside the reservation to disregard survey lines, and in other ways to resist the agent in his efforts to induce the adoption of civilized methods of living.

The two schools have an attendance of 104 pupils, about the same number as last year.

The Osages have, as a tribe, been fast friends of the Government. They have been somewhat restless and difficult to control during the year, owing to unwarrantable inter-ference by outside parties, and to causes for grievance which were fully set forth last year and which are still unsettled.

Attention is invited to the statement of the agent respecting the intrigues and bribery practiced upon the chiefs and handmen to induce them to urge the payment out of their tribal funds of $180,000, in addition to the $50,000 already paid in satisfaction of a claim for attorneys' fees. The recommendations of the agent for such decisive action as shall at once quiet all expectations of the claimants are eminently practical.

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This commission was instructed to inquire into Agent I. T. Gibson's administration of Indian affairs, giving the subject a particular and thorough investigation, in order that the proper remedy may be applied if the service has in any way suffered, or is suffering, by a reason of inefficiency, fraud, or neglect on his part; and also if he is in any manner unjustly accused, that his conduct and administration may be vindicated and the Indians informed accordingly.

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This commission performed their duties and submitted its report and proceedings September 14, 1875. They find the charges against Agent Gibson to have been mainly frivolous in their nature, and arising out of contentions and disturbances in the tribe; that the agent has administrated his affairs with strict integrity and that the Government has suffered no loss from any fraud or neglect by any officer or employer of the Government.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1876.

It is said of Cyrus Beede, the new agent of the Osages, that after taking charge last Monday, his first duty was to marry a half breed couple who just dropped in as the new agent assumed the robes. Beede turned to the old agent, Gibson, and said he did not propose to commence business there, so he would resign long enough for Gibson to tie the knot for the waiting bride and groom. Courier.

Winfield Courier, March 9, 1876. Editorial Page.

The following private letter from our Congressman contains so many items of interest that we are constrained to give it to our readers. The idea of graduating the Osage lands and finally throwing them open to private purchasers is an excellent one. It would enable parties to purchase large tracts of grazing lands to the west of us that are of no value for agricultural purposes. We hope that our readers will feel at liberty to send us their opinions upon the topics mentioned or will confer with Judge Brown direct.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 28, 1876.

DEAR COL.: I have been thinking whether it was not possible for some legislation in reference to the Osage reservation, in order in the first place to have actual settlers on the land prove up and get their titles within a reasonable time, and to reduce the price of all the refuse land east and west of the Arkansas River say to $1.00 per acre from and after Jan. 1st, 1877; 75 cents per acre from and after Jan. 1st, 1878, and to 50 cents from and after Jan. 1st, 1879, and all remaining on Jan. 1st, 1880, to be opened for sale at the latter price to all parties wishing to purchase. A provision, perhaps, that those on the lands have till 1877 to prove up, which in case we have a good crop would be as much as they would need. The idea is not very well developed even in my own mind, but I have a desire to see the Western end of the reserve settled as the eastern end already is, and to have the portions on the Eastern end that are rugged and broken and have so far remained unsold, disposed of at a lower rate, and so made taxable, and compelled to brave its proportion of the public burdens. Have you any suggestions to make in reference to the matter? How much land is today unclaimed in Cowley Co.? How much in the counties East? Any information we receive will be of importance. . . . W. R. BROWN

Arkansas City Traveler, March 22, 1876. Major Beede, the new agent for the Osage and Kaw Indians, is finding a warm reception in this, his new home.

Joseph Pah ne-no-pah-she, Governor for the Osages, has ordered the chiefs and counselors of the tribe to meet him in council at this place on Monday next. Indian Herald.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 29, 1876.

[Humboldt Union.]

Parties who lately arrived from the Osage Indian Agency inform us that everything is passing off quietly as well as harmoniously at the headquarters of the Osages. Many of the Indians sowed wheat last fall and the crop looks well. The dusky sons of the forest, or some of them at least, have gone to work with the determination of doing something for themselves, and it is confidently believed that many more will follow their example. The Indians like their Agent, Major Beede, who labors energetically for the comfort and advancement of his charges. A wise, humane, and liberal policy is being pursued, and the Indians seem to take to it. Our informants were very well pleased with the evidence of prosperity and enterprise, that is everywere manifested about the Agency.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 12, 1876.

MR. BEEDE, Agent of the Osages, talked with the Kaw Indians last week. They think they will like him.

MR. CRANE, of Osage Agency, made us a short call last week.

MR. M. E. WELCH, a stone cutter from Osage Agency, has located among us.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876. The Osages number about 3,000 souls, and are located south, and adjoining the State of Kansas, and west of the ninety-sixth meridian of west longitude. Their reservation contains about 1,500,000 acres, and is held not simply by suffrage, nor a donation by the Government, nor under the provisions of a treaty wherein the United States grants gratuitously a tract of land for a tribe of Indians during their compliance with treaty provisions, nor for hunting purposes. On the contrary, they hold this title in fee simple purchased from the Cherokees, at the rate of seventy cents per acre, and confirmed by act of Congress, approved July 5, 1872. Topeka Times.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876. The New York Herald of the 11th inst., gives the following synopsis of the famous decision of the Osage Ceded Land Case.