Osage Nation, Oklahoma, Newspaper Article: The Indian Herald, Vol. 1, No. 2 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sharon Hamilton sharkay@swbell.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Photo of people standing in front of the Osage Dispensary and Herald Office. Caption reads: Government physicians office and Herald office and shoe shop. Also used later as agent's office. The new First National Bank building now occupies this site. The Indian Herald Osage Indian Agency, Ind. Ter. Volume 1, Second Month, 1875, Number 2 The Indian Herald will be published monthly By W. McK. Dougan, M.D. STATISTICAL REPORT OF OSAGE INDIANS, Showing their progress in civilization since the year 1872, (when they moved to their present reservation,) not including stock and improvements belonging to the agency and stations. A large "Manual labor school building," agent's, physician's and blacksmith's residences, a shoe and harness shop, "Council house," agent's and physician's offices, and a flouring mill building are constructed of stone. Ther ae also three trading houses, nineteen dwellings, blacksmiths' shop, wagon shop, saw mill, barn and several other fram buildings at the agency-which is centrally located. There are three stations on the reservation, which are located at distances varying from fifteen to thirty miles from the agency-at each of which is a dwelling house for the superintendent of the station, a blacksmith shop and other buildings. At two of the stations are trding houses also. There are on the agency, station and school farms 48,000 rails, enclosing 326 acres. Of the above number 274 acres are in cultivation, the products of which are used for the benefit of the tribe. There are four orchards occupying fifteen acres, which contain 600 apple, over 1,000 peach trees, many grape vines and other small fruits. 1872 1873 1874 1872 1873 1874 MIX BLOODS. FULL BLOODS Indian population 272 280 2503 2701 Families 65 71 450 464 Families have selected homes 37 53 68 51 131 256 Families have land in cult. 32 48 54 48 142 196 Families have houses 32 53 59 14 23 50 Fam. Who have houses building 7 00 22 113 Acres in cultivation 436 1258 1637 156 563 993 Acres in fall wheat 00 200 600 00 00 206 Rails in fence 133,000 238,384 351,972 3,000 84,658 382,032 Rails recently split by Indians 52,500 58,075 Fam. Have apple and peach trees 4 12 32 00 00 42 Fam. Have wells of water 7 21 31 00 00 61 Fam. Have wagons 20 34 35 3 15 40 Fam. Have plows or harrows 15 20 28 00 00 36 Fam. Have hogs 38 52 67 52 113 154 Fam. Have chickens 42 50 71 60 125 215 Fam. Have cattle 20 22 27 00 1 7 Fam. Have ponies 30 30 30 450 459 Fam. Have horses 20 24 28 45 45 45 Fam. Have mules 5 7 6 60 60 63 Fam. Have oxen 4 4 5 00 1 1 Children in school 35 35 52 00 00 50 Men in citizens dress 70 70 75 4 5 21 Women in citizens dress 65 65 70 2 2 15 Speak English 270 272 280 34 35 40 Read and write English 110 115 125 13 14 14 Whole number of hogs 1200 1233 Whole number of chickens 850 1598 Whole number of cattle 437 30 Whole number of ponies 68 8,042 Whole number of horses 56 120 Whole number of mules 11 90 Whole number of oxen 18 2 White men who have married into the tribe 18 White women who have married into the tribe 6 PAGE 2 THE INDIAN HERALD The Indian Herald is a Monthly publication devoted to the cause of Indian civilization, and especially to the work in the "Cenral Superintendency," and will be sent post paid to subscribers for FIFTY CENTS per annum. Second Month, 1875 To our Patrons and Friends: We have for some time fully believed that the mass of thinking, Christian people of our country were interested in the welfare of American Indians. Our personal acquaintance with the Indian race confirmed us in the opinion that, a medium by means of which, reliable information of the state and condition of the several tribes, who are located in the Indian Territory, could be disseminated among the unprejudiced portion of our people would, ultimately, culminate in much good. Such being our conviction, without previous notice, the first number of the "Indian Herald" was completed and sent quietly forth on its mission of usefulness, where it has found FRIENDS who are alive to the cause of which the HERALD IS THE ADVOCATE. Since the outside of this number was printed, a Joint Stock Company has been organized, representing a capital stock of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, which is divided into one hundrd shares of ten dollars each. Seventy-two shares were taken during the first day's sale of stock, and, with no small degree of pleasure we announce that with the completion of the present number, our paper will cease to be OUR individual property, and become the property of the "INDIAN HERALD PUBLISHING CO." That the Herald will continue in the good work which it has commenced there cannot now be a doubt, even by the most skeptical of its readers. Our hope for the Herald will continue in the good work which it has commenced there cannot now be a doubt, even by the most skeptical of its readers. Our hope for the Herald in its uncultured field was well founded, and every promise made by the present proprietor will be redeemed. If you wish to know what progress is being made by the Indians, read the Herald. It will be the disseminator "of facts concerning Indian civilization" under the present administration. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Owing to the destitute condition of the people of Kansas, many men are willing to work with Osages for rations, and such other pay as they may be able to obtain from the Indians. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- At the time of this writing the earth's surface is completely wrapped in winter's snowy mantle; water-courses are frozen over; the sky is obscured; atmosphere is the vehicle upon which countless myriads of snow flakes ride to mother earth; the wind whistles keenly around the corner, and calls to our mind the suffering that must be borne by a large number of the people among whom we live, when, in comes an old gray-haired Indian-nearly 70 years of age-from near the Arkansas river, a distance of twenty five or more miles, who has, (with the help of six women)made rails and nearly enclosed sixty acres with a good, substantial "stake and ridered" fence. Kind readers, do you think that Indians ARE susceptible creatures and that they are on the road to civilization? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When a family of full blood Osages abandon the lodge and move into a house, they are furnished with one bedstead, one bed tick, three chairs, one table, one broom, one wash tub, one wash board, six plates, six cups and saucers, a gravy bowl, a steak platter, sauce dish, dish pan, wash basin, candle stick, six knives and forks, two towels and two table clothes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After witnessing the unmistakable evidences of progress made in the attainment of an English education by Osage children, the head men of the tribe are so wroght upon that their manifextations of pride cannot fail to impart new energy to all. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sha-gah-in-gah's Speech. Below we give place to a speech made by a Kaw Indian brave, in the council room at this Agency, on the evening of the 10th inst. BROTHERS AND SISTERS:--I grew up like all other roving Indians, and lived in that manner up to the present time. I am familier with all the traditions of the red man, and I now know that our customs and previous faith are vain and worthless. I am now ready to renounce all of the red man's customs. When I look around me I can see many of my people who are feeling as I do. We have been on our new reservation but two years, but have commenced work like our white brothers. The little belts of timber on our reserve are specked with piles of rails made by our own hands, and our prairies are now being dotted with cabins. I have one child now five years old, and I am going to do all I can to have it taught the English language. I hope all my people will do like me. PAGE 3 HERE AND HEREABOUT The health of Indians on this reservation is improving. About 900 Indians receive rations at Hominy station. The southern bands of Osages made near 8,000 rails during last month. They also put 1,500 in fence. Osages will learn another language before they swear, as an oath is unknown in their present tongue. Indians of Salt creek division, who are under station agent Ozbun, put 15,000 rails into fence during last month. Osages have brought one of their own physicians to the Agency for medical treatment by the "white doctor." Osages are so earnestly engaged in the work of their civilization that they are no exchanging ponies for white labor. Station agent Ozbun reports the western bands to be kind and peaceable. They are also anxious to have their farms enlarged. The returns of the office for Osage & Kansas Indians for 4th quarter, weigh 22 lbs. Postage on the package will amount to $21.12. During last month 2,800 bushels of corn and wheat were ground at the Agency flouring mill. One hundred bushels were ground for citizens of Kansas. Gov. Joe reports that fat buffalo are between Camp Supply and Cheyenne Agency. Twenty or more families of Osages are in pursuit of their choicest game. Every family of Kaw Indians now claims a home on their new reservation. They are anxious to have houses built on their claims with least possible delay. Mother Choteau speaks fair English, and holds the position of second chief in the Beaver band. She is the only female chief now known or remembered in the tribe. In our first issue, type made us say that the Osages raised 10,000 bushels of potatoes in the year 1874, when it should have read 1,000. They also raised 20,000 bushels of corn, which was left out entirely. There are four female missionaries engaged in Salt creek division. They visit the lodges where they instruct Indian women in the ways of civilized life. Several women have learned to knit, quilt &c. They manifest a growing interest in the "new mode of life." Fair specimens of Indian eloquence were exhibited at the Agency school by No-pa-wal-la, chief of Little Osage band, Che-to-pah, head counselor for the tribe, and Kah-he-kah-wah-ti-an-kah, of White Hair band on the evening of 21st inst. They encouraged the children to persevere in the cause of their education. The time when Osages could live at ease in pursuit of game has gone. Irvin Stubbs, of whom we made mention in our last issue, was thought by his relatives to be improving on the 9th inst. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- We are indebted to brother Chatham, of the Courier, for the largest list of subscribers from any one post office. Twenty seven times one will show the interest our sister city, Coffeyville, has shown us as a result of 30 minutes work for the Herald. Office Supt. Ind. Affairs, Lawrence, Kan., 2nd Month 12th, 1875. I. T. Gibson, U.S. Ind. Agent. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - New Paper. We have received the first number of the Indian Herald, a little monthly, established at the Osage Agency by our esteemed friend, Dr. Dougan, the Agency physician. The Herald is nearly one fourth the size of the Courier, and contains four columns of matter, mostly of a local nature. It contains the speeches of a number of Osage Indians made at the Agency school recently, besides much general information in regard to the progress of the Osages in their efforts to become civilized. Typographically it is very neat, and shows considerable mechanical skill, although the editor apologizes for its appearance by saying he could not get a printer in time to assist him in getting out the first issue. We shall copy some of the speeches made to the Osage school children by the chiefs, next week. We gladly place the Indian Herald on our "ex" list and wish the Dr. success in his enterprise. [Coffeyville (Kan.) Courier] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kind reader, if you are in any way interested in BEES OR HONEY, we will with pleasure send you a sample copy of our Monthly "GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE." Simply write your address plainly on a postal card and address A. I. ROOT & CO., Medina, Ohio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Indian Herald Publishing Co. Of Osage Agency, Ind. Ter. CAPITAL STOCK $1,000.00. Isaac T. Gibson, President, Benj. K. Wetherill, Secretary, John N. Florer, Treasurer. The HERALD Published Monthly. W. McKay Dougan, Editor PAGE 4 THE INDIAN HERALD Pun-kah-wah-ti-an-kah's Speech. An "OSAGE MEDICINE MAN," At Friends' Meeting in this Agency, First Month 31, 1875. (Reported by Sam. Irish.) MY DEAR CHILDREN:--I want to make a speech to you. You have good ears to hear, and good understanding to comprehend what I am going to say. You understand the traditions of our forefathers, as handed down from generation to generation. We are all one blood and are brothers-children of the same "Great Spirit"-but different in color, in religion, and in wisdom. The white children have been educated from generation to generation, yes-so long that is is now natural and easy for them to learn. It is fortunate for them. Now you are put here to be educated, and I am dropping you words of advice for encouragement. The wisdom that is taught those white children comes from "God" and you now have the privilege of looking in to that wisdom. It has not been long since this privilege was given you, and I hope you will improve it. I hope to see the day when you will be educated, like those white children. Listen to your teachers in all they have to say and grow wise. I look upon you and call to mind the time when I was a child. My parents knew nothing of the ways of the whites, but had me schooled in the religion and customs of our own nation. Now when our people worship like the white man they find the way easy. Our way of worship is very different and hard to perform. When my people send for me to conduct the exercises under the old tradition, it takes me all night and all the next day before I can even eat. Children, you now have a chance to learn something, the privilege of which I never had. I believe it is not only easier but better than our way. We are now about dropping all of those old customs. When that is done we will all get along better. Now I want to say something to my FRIENDS. I have been sick for several days. I have been lying in a cabin at the foot of the hill. You visited me and I feel grateful. I feel like I had any friends here. I don't think that I have one enemy amongst all the whites. I want to say to them that I feel very grateful for the many marks of kindness shown by all the workers here. You are all working for the benefit of our people. We appreciate what you are doing for us. I have been VERY sick and have been kindly attended by the "White Doctor." He has done me a great deal of good. It is in consequence of the good that he has done me that I am able to stand before you to-day. I feel thankful, and have a party of my people who join me in hearty thanks to the "White Doctor" and other friends who kindly cared for me. I am done. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - ADVERTISEMENTS. Florer & Rankin, U. S. Indian Traders, Osage Agency, I. T. Keep constantly on hand a general assortment of Merchandize, both for Indian and White trade. BUY AND SELL ALL KINDS OF FURS. HIATT & CO., REPRESENTING A CASH CAPITAL OF $250,000, ARE AUTHORIZED TRADERS AMONG OSAGES, KAWS AND DELAWARE INDIANS. J. A. Coffey, J. J. Barndollar, P. J. Barron. J. A. Coffey & Co. Licensed Traders and Dealers in Indian Goods. OSAGE AGENCY, IND. TER. Wm. Conner, Interpreter.