Painting Of The Osage Treaty Signing To Be Dedicated At State Capitol Ceremony

OKLAHOMA CITY - When Oklahomans and visitors from other states come to the State Capitol, not only will they be able to enjoy numerous original works of art, they'll also be able learn something of the history of Oklahoma through those paintings and sculptures. That's according to Senator Charles Ford, President of the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The organization will dedicate another such work of art during a ceremony Monday, March 26, 1:45 p.m. in the State Senate Chamber.

"Our newest work of art is a painting depicting the Osage Treaty of 1825. The painting was done by Oklahoma artist and illustrator Mike Wimmer," said Senator Ford.

Upon completion of the Louisiana Purchase, a great expansion was underway. Part of this entailed the removal of the Cherokees from Georgia and Tennessee to the Osage Lands. However the forced cohabitation of the land was not peaceful. Previous Osage treaties needed to be revised to solve the problem with the Cherokees.

The treaty established a new Southern and Eastern boundary, moving the Osages basically into Kansas. The United States agreed to pay the Osage seven thousand dollars each year for twenty years, which the tribes could draw in either money or goods at wholesale prices. In addition, they would receive six hundred head of cattle, six hundred head of hogs, one thousand domestic fowl, ten yoke of oxen, six carts and one blacksmith. Also, a house would be built for each of the four principal chiefs. The treaty was signed June 2, 1825.

Funding for the painting was provided by the Tulsa World, and the Robert Lorton family. Lorton is the chairman of World Publishing Company and publisher of the Tulsa World.