Real Photo Postcard, 1917
Written in ink on the back: “Genva McQuain. Lewis Redeagle, Willie Bigheart. Osage Indians. Friends of mine at O.I.S. 1917” These handsome young scholars attended O.I.S. (the Osage Indian Government School (1912-1953) in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
The first federal government sponsored school to educate and civilize the Osages was Harmony Mission in Bates County Missouri, 1821 – established at the request of the tribe and implemented by Protestant missionaries. During its existence the school did not make many Christians or turn warriors into agriculturists, but even the old buffalo hunting Osages were interested in having their children educated.
Every week we post an unpublished image that relates to the Osage River, its ecology, history and development. None of these have been used in Damming the Osage, but they relate to the themes of the book. A brief caption identifies the location and our thoughts on its significance and meaning. Feel free to use these images for personal use if you credit “Collection of Leland and Crystal Payton.” For commercial use, email us for details and a modest fee for a higher resolution image. We have thousands of historic photographs and brochures as well as our own contemporary photos.
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Good Evening! My name is Rachel Morrow. I’ve been reading articles and looking a pictures on your website.
My Mom is a descendant of the Osage People. After my Mom passed away, my siblings and I inherited her shares of the “oil-rich” land that has been in my Family for many generations.
I enjoy your website so very much and forward articles/pictures to my siblings. Our Family has almost died out completely. Reading your articles reminds of the stories I heard from my Grandmother as a child. Thank you for your hard work in keeping this information out there for the dwindling Osage members in my Family.
My regards,
Rachel S. Morrow