June 10, 1927
The Daily Journal Capital
Microfilm Roll: MN00273
On this day in Osage country, The Daily Journal-Capital published an article about an Osage couple who were robbed during a road trip.
According to the article, a man by the name of Joe Duncan, who claimed to be an Osage tribal member, was found “in a dazed condition” by the Memphis police. Duncan told police that his wife, money, and other valuables, totaling over $2500, had all disappeared. The article goes on to say that the authorities suspected “Duncan had been drugged…then robbed.”
When questioned by police shortly after he was found, Duncan claimed to have little memory of the event that took place, other than that he and his wife, “picked up a stranger in Arkansas several days [prior].” After further recuperating in the hospital, police questioned Duncan once again. This time Duncan released more details saying “he and his 30 year old wife, who is an Osage Indian were enroute to Hot Springs. They were drinking in celebration of the trip…Near the Oklahoma line they met a man who wanted to go to Hot Springs and they engaged him as their chauffeur.”
The Osage Agency was later consulted and after checking the rolls they confirmed that there was no record of an Osage tribal member by the name of Duncan.
Some might deem this as yet another mystery to add to the books. Most likely, however, this is just another example of how no matter the decade, or time period, people have always had the desire to claim Indian identity.
Morgan M. Guzman
“Osage is Found Drugged near Memphis Station.” The Daily Journal-Capital. June 10, 1927, p. 1. Microfilm roll number MN00273. Sequoyah National Research Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
