November 8, 1890
The Daily Journal Capital
Microfilm Roll: MN00291
On this day in Osage country, George BaconRind, the son of prominent Osage leader Chief BaconRind and his wife Rosa, was born. George’s father Chief BaconRind only led the tribe for a year, from 1912 to 1913, but even after his title was revoked by the Secretary of the Interior, the Osages continued to view him as their chief. He was known to be a talented Osage language speaker and was also once deemed the most photographed American Indian leader of the 20th century.
At the age of 27, BaconRind enlisted in the army. During World War I, he served in the 90th Division, 358th Infantry, Headquarters Company and the 36th Division, 144th Infantry, Machine Gun Company. While overseas, BaconRind also directed the Choctaw Code Talkers. On June 6, 1944, BaconRind returned home and was discharged from the army just a few weeks later.
BaconRind was married to his wife, with whom he fathered two sons, Andrew and George Jr. Sadly, he died at the age of 43, on October 20, 1934. His burial took place in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, where his grave now stands.
Morgan M. Guzman
“George BaconRind taken by Death.” The Daily Journal-Capital. October 20, 1934, p.1. Microfilm roll number MN00291. Sequoyah National Research Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Further Reading
Fehr, Erin. “Pvt. George BaconRind.” In the exhibit, Untold Stories: American Indian Code Talkers of World War I, 2017. Sequoyah National Research Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
May, John D. “Baconrind.” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BA003 Date accessed April 27, 2018.
