July 31, 1929
The Daily Journal Capital
Microfilm Roll: MN00279
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article announcing the opening of the annual Strike Axe Pow-wow.
The Indian festival was hosted by Osage tribal member and rancher, Pendleton Strike Axe. The celebration was to span over a period of four days and hundreds of American Indians from over ten different tribes flooded the scene. Tribes represented in the festival included the Oteos, Choctaws, Poncas, Kiowas, Iowas, Creeks, Pawnees, Cheyennes, Sioux, and Omahas. Several tribal Chiefs also made the event to represent their tribes in person.
Many activities were to take place during the pow-wow, including, “goat roping, [a] barbeque, special Indian dances and other special features.” A variety of dances were held each night and a car race was even held on the morning of July 31. Iowa tribal member, Franklin Murray, came in first with Johnny Mack, a member of the Otoe tribe, following in a close second. The article noted with surprise the Indians’’ use of modern transportation. It states that, “Indians have apparently forsaken the former method of traveling to the pow-wows in buggies and wagons for the conveniences and speed of the automobile. A car now stands near every lodge.”
Strike Axe had the help of many fellow Osages in organizing and preparing for the event. To supply the sufficient housing for their guests, the Osages hand built wooden lodges covered with canvases. They, themselves, stayed in their own homes.
Morgan M. Guzman
“Indians Hold Big Festival near Here” The Daily Journal-Capital. July 31, 1929, p. 1. Microfilm roll number MN00279. Sequoyah National Research Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
