the indians
Affairs of the Osages - Encroachments of Whites on Their Reservations - Unjust Course of the Settlers and Congress. [New York Times, 11 July 1870]

Washington, July 10.- Official advices have been received at the Indian Office concerning the present condition of things along the borders of the Indian Territory, and explaining in part the causes of the difficulties. Whether the Osage Indians are mixed up with it remains to be seen; but, certainly, the condition of affairs on their reservation is deplorable. The large body of white settlers who have taken forcible possession of the lands of those Indians, without a shadow of legal right, continue to hold possession of them, and include them in their claims. On the eastern part of the Osage reservation, these squatters have organized three counties, appointed judges and other county officers, surveyed and formally allotted the larger part of the lands, with all the assurance of honest people. They have stolen within the last three years several thousand of the Indian's ponies. In 1865 the Osages were persuaded to allow the Government to dispose of a strip of their lands, twenty miles wide, along the whole southern border of Kansas. They were told that in two years much of it would be paid for, and they would have some means of support. They consented. The lands were surveyed and thousands of settlers entered upon, took possession, and are now occupying them, and yet, though it is five years ago, the Indians have not received one cent from the sale of these lands. The reason given for this is that at the end of three years the settlers did not find it convenient to pay: so they got their Representative in Congress to introduce a bill, which was passed, granting them an extension of two years more in which to pay for the lands. The Indians were not consulted, and to this day do not understand it and have no faith in the Government's ever dealing fairly with them. The effect of these outrages has been to drive the Osages into the Cherokee country, where a portion of them are huddled along the banks of the little Coma River, or as outlaws to wander on the Southern plains. Nothing whatever has been done by the Government in the way of feeding them, and scores of them have died this Spring from the want of medical treatment. The present agent is a Quaker and has done what he could, without means to ameliorate their condition. In 1865 they sold to the Government a strip of land from which the two counties of Neohso and Labette have been constructed, from which and other sources they receive about $5 per capita annually. This is the only compensation which they get in return for their magnificent reservation of 8,000,000 acres of land. This Spring the Government sent down a small company of infantry to prevent hostilities, which has done what little it could. But as the reservation is over 270 miles long by thirty wide, it will be seen that some other remedy than this must be applied if we would have peace, security and fair dealing, or uphold the honor of our country along that border. The Osages are intensely anxious to turn their attention to agriculture, and if they had but the least show of justice, would soon have cabins erected, fields fenced, and crops planted. It is to be wondered at that we hear of attacks on trains at Camp Supply, or raids on the border settlers. The marvel is that the Indians have been peaceful as long as they have.
- posted by pioneergirl at 2:12 AM