This Day in Osage Country highlights important events, key figures, daily life, and interesting tidbits in the lives of the Osage Indians in the first half of the 20th century. The project was inspired by Osage patron John T. Moncravie (1936-2013), whose passion for Osage history led him to the Sequoyah National Research Center. Thanks to his generosity, the Center now has microfilmed newspapers from the Osage Nation in our collection covering the first half of the 20th century, which serves as the basis for this project. Additional information on the Osage Nation can be found in our collections.
George BaconRind
November 8, 1890
On this day in Osage country, George BaconRind, the son of prominent Osage leader Chief BaconRind and his wife Rosa, was born.
Osages Doing their Part
July 13, 1917
On July 12, 1917, The Pawhuska Capital, published a list naming fifty individual donors from the small town of Grayhorse, Oklahoma, all descendants of Osage blood, who contributed a total of $687.50, an amount worth $14,610.80 in today’s dollar value.
Indian Music in Opera
October 4, 1917
On this day in Osage country, The Osage Journal published an article regarding the production of an upcoming opera.
Major Clarence L. Tinker
June 28, 1918
On this day in Osage country The Pawhuska Capital published an article on the accomplishments of a young and determined Osage man the then-Major Clarence L. Tinker.
Discussion of Government Control of the American Indian by Congressmen
April 4, 1919
A frequent subject of debate in the United States government during the early 20th century was the control of American Indians that led to governmental control of Indian lands, tribal governance, and resources—policies which generally benefited white men. However, on this day in Osage country, an article was posted in The Pawhuska Capital which discussed a white man’s, Congressman McKeown’s, plea to restructure government control over the Indians in way to better assist not just the Five Civilized tribes, but the Osages as well.
Most Unique City in Oklahoma is Pawhuska, So Says Tulsa Writer
August 14, 1919
On this day in Osage country, an article written by a Tulsa journalist describing his recent trip to Pawhuska was published in The Pawhuska Capital.
Osage and Quapaw Get Their Freedom by Sells’ Order
August 21, 1919
On this day in Osage country, The Pawhuska Capital published an article describing Commissioner Sells’ proposal to remove some of the land allotment restrictions imposed on American Indians.
Osage Scenes to be shown in Every State
November 16, 1920
On this day in Osage country, The Pawhuska Daily Capital published an article about an upcoming movie portraying Indian life.
Old Indian Leaders who Shaped Destiny of Red Men are Passing
January 20, 1921
On this day in Osage country, an article was published about the recent death of Creek Indian, David M. Hodge, and his legacy.
Civilizing the Osages Costly
November 3, 1922
On this day in Osage country, the Osage County News published an article about a law suit being brought against the United States government buy the Osages.
Indians Show at Tulsa Exposition
October 9, 1923
On this day in Osage country, The Pawhuska Daily Journal published an article about American Indian involvement in the upcoming International Petroleum Exposition and Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Advertisement for Constantine Theater
January 8, 1924
On this day in Osage country, an advertisement ran in the Pawhuska Daily Journal for the Constantine Theater. Event advertisements for the Constantine Theater were a common occurrence during the early 20th century. The theater itself, however, remains to be very unique.
Indian Tribes to be Represented
April 16, 1924
On this day in Osage country, an article was posted in The Pawhuska Daily Journal describing an upcoming Indian pageant. The Indian pageant, sponsored by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, was scheduled to take place on May 19 in Ponca City, and “braves” from tribes across the state of Oklahoma were to partake in the event.
Osage County Horse Latest Derby Winner
May 18, 1924
On this day in Osage country The Pawhuska Capital announced the winner of the Kentucky Derby, an Osage horse named Black Gold.
Birth of Maria Tallchief
January 24, 1925
On this Day in Osage country the world renowned prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief, was born.
Damage Asked in Sum of $125,000 of Osage Indian
July 2, 1925
On this day in Osage country, The Pawhuska Daily Journal Capital published an article about a woman who is suing her husband f or $125,000 on the basis of deceit.
Indians Hold Old William Penn Feast
November 27, 1925
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article describing an event in which American Indians and whites came together to celebrate a mythical Thanksgiving.
Ad for Baseball Game
June 4, 1926
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal Capital published an ad for an upcoming baseball game to take place in Pawhuska.
Chiefs of the Osage Receive Strange Letters
July 12, 1926
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article discussing strange letters that Osage Chiefs received.
Marjorie Tallchief was Born
October 19, 1926
On this day in of Osage country, Marjorie Louis Tallchief was born.
Osage Chief Makes Speech to Oil Men
December 8, 1926
On this day in Osage country, Chief Paul Red Eagle made a speech to welcome big oil tycoons to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Indians Plead for Right to have Peyote
February 18, 1927
On this day in Osage country, an article was published on a controversial bill to prohibit the use, transportation, and sale of peyote.
Tribal Ceremony Ends Festivities of Osage Wedding
May 29, 1927
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article describing the wedding ceremony of Dora McCarthy and Henry Lookout, the youngest son of Chief Fred Lookout.
Osage is Found Drugged near Memphis Station
June 10, 1927
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article about an Osage couple who were robbed during a road trip.
Santa Fe and Indian Convention
June 14, 1927
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal Capital dedicated a full page to welcome the arrival of the fourth annual Indian Convention, an event sponsored by the Society of Oklahoma Indians.
Osages Arrive in New York after Enjoyable Trip
September 9, 1927
On this day in Osage country, a telegram from Bert Lawton was published in The Daily Journal-Capital announcing the arrival of a group of Osages to New York, the first stop on their way to the American Legion Convention in Paris.
Hominy Indians Triumph over New York Giants
December 27, 1927
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article announcing the Hominy Indians legendary defeat over the New York Giants.
Chief Names Six to Call District Meetings
May 11, 1928
On this day in Osage country, the announcement for the upcoming, June 4, tribal election was published in The Daily Journal-Capital.
Universal Sign Language gives Indian Opportunity to Tell Old Stories Here
May 6, 1928
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article telling the story of how a deaf and mute Osage tribal member was able break the language barrier, or lack thereof, and once again communicate with his people.
Wah-Sha-She is Again Winner in National Meet
June 5, 1928
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article announcing that the Wah-Sha-She newspaper won first place in a national competition.
Students at Osage Mission
December 23, 1928
On this day in Osage country, the Osage County News published an article on the release of a new book, Life and Times of Mother Bridget, by W.W. Graves.
Indian All Set For Bad Times
January 4, 1929
On this day in Osage country, tribal member, Henry Tallchief’s plan for his own, personal economic sustainability was featured on the front page of the Osage County News.
Hale is Given Life Sentence
February 1, 1929
On this day in Osage country the Osage County News posted an article on the conviction of William K. Hale in the Osage Indian murders.
Vitaphone and Movietone Opens at the State Theater
March 10, 1929
Merely two years after the release of The Jazz Singer, the second successful talking picture, films with sound, or “talkies”, arrived at Pawhuska’s very own State Theater. An advertisement sponsored by Western Electric Company appeared in The Daily Journal Capital on March 10, 1929, welcoming the new technology to the theater announcing “our screen now sings and talks.”
Indians Open Big Festival near Pawhuska
July 31, 1929
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article announcing the opening of the annual Strike Axe Pow-wow.
Osages and Danes Guests of Rotarians
August 13, 1929
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article describing the Osages’ participation in a local rotary club meeting.
Osages Begin Dances Today in Advance of Oct. 14 Celebration
October 10, 1929
On this day in Osage country in 1929, four days ahead of the annual October 14th celebration, an Osage ceremonial dance, I’n-Lon-Schka, began.
Indians’ Chances to Enter Tilt to be decided Sunday
July 19, 1930
On this day in Osage country, the Pawhuska Indians’ baseball team was only one game away from entering a state tournament.
Indians Holding 4-Day Celebration
September 27, 1931
On this day in Osage country, an article published in The Daily Journal-Capital announced an upcoming celebration held by the Osage tribe in honor of the anniversary of their last migration.
Indian Bureau Official Here to See Osages
November 1, 1931
On this day in Osage country, an article was published in The Daily Journal Capital discussing the government’s attitude toward American Indians.
The Burial of Nellie Saucy Chief
February 22, 1935
On this day in Osage country, the Osage County News posted an article on the myth surrounding the burial of Nellie Saucy Chief.
Change in Indian Affairs is proposed by Senator Thomas
March 1, 1935
Although Indian citizenship was granted by the federal government through the Indian Citizen Act of 1924, after a great deal of Indian participation in World War I, many state governments did not recognize Indians as full citizens until decades later.
Changes Made in Osage Indian Grazing Leases
September 4, 1936
On this day in Osage country, an article was published in the Osage County News informing the public of a new amendment released by the Osage agency to prohibit pasture burning on Osage grazing lands.
Mrs. Roosevelt makes Visit to Osages
March 19, 1937
On this day in Osage country, an article was published describing First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to the Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Indian Shoppe Opens Tuesday
April 23, 1937
On this day in Osage country, an article was published in the Osage County News announcing the opening of a new store in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Osage Babies Win Prizes at Tulsa
October 25, 1937
On this day in Osage country, the winners of the Indian baby contest, held at the second annual American Indian Exposition and Congress, were announced.
Colorful Indian Figure Passes On Here Tuesday
February 4, 1938
On this day in Osage country, Pah-Se-To-Pah, one of the most “colorful” members of the Osage tribe passed away, at the age of 68, after a three week battle with pneumonia.
Indian Camp School Presents Program at Civic Club Meeting
March 25, 1938
On this day in Osage country, the Osage County News published an article on a special lunch performance, conducted by several young ladies from the Indian Camp School, at a local civic club meeting.
Osages Only Tribe with Museum
April 24, 1938
On this day in Osage country 1938, The Daily Journal Capital published several articles pertaining to the opening of the Osage Tribal Museum.
Osage Owner of Black Gold Dies
April 26, 1938
On this day in Osage country, the Osages were mourning the loss of Ada Hoots, owner of the 1924 Kentucky Derby winner Black Gold.
Indian Federation Hears Politicians
August 19, 1938
On this day, August 19, 1938, in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article on the American Indian Federation’s proposal to abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
John Stink Dies at Home Here Friday
September 23, 1938
On this day in Osage country, The Osage County News published the obituary of John Stink, a “colorful” member of the Osage tribe.
Osage Group at Poultry Congress
August 4, 1939
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article on the Osages’ involvement in the 1939 World Poultry Congress.
War Has Come to America
December 12, 1941
On December 12, 1941, nearly a week after the bombing on Pearl Harbor, The Osage County News published an article summarizing the Japanese attack on American soil, the title reading “War has come to America.”
John Joseph Mathews Dies
June 11, 1979
This day in Osage country marks the anniversary of the death of John Joseph Mathews, a famous Osage writer.
Louis F. Burns Dies
May 20, 2012
On this day in Osage country, Louis F. Burns, renowned Osage writer and historian passed away.
