Osage Murder Mystery
"The tentacles of the recent murder mystery among the Osage Indians of Oklahoma were indirectly extended into Springfield a few days ago when Don Dixon, wealthy Osage, spent several days in a local hotel, in hiding from men who sought his life.
"Dixon and his sister are the sole survivors of his immediate family and are reputed to possess $500,000 in their own rights.
"The tragedy which visited Dixon's family caused the sudden death of his wife. Two days after his wife's death, Dixon is said to have fallen into the company of several white men who brought about the Indian's intoxication and caused him to be married to a white woman while in that condition.
"Dixon is also an important witness of the government in the impending trial, and since he is in possession of much damaging information against the men being tried, his life is said to be in constant danger.
"Because of this fact he was brought to Springfield by a private detective who has been named by the courts as Dixon's guardian, and who never for a moment allows the wealthy Indian to leave him. Dixon is said to have an insatiable appetite for liquor and when intoxicated becomes practically unmanageable. So it is for a double purpose that the detective constantly accompanies him.
"Information that the Indian and his guard were hiding in Springfield, however, reached Dixon's enemies in Oklahoma through devious channels, and acting upon warning received, the two men left Springfield a few days ago, seeking other hiding places until the date of the trial.
"The Osage murders are the results of efforts of certain individuals to obtain the fortunes of the Indians. Some of the cases are those in which the Indians had been heavily insured, others in which the Indians were in possession of the 'headrights' which mean that all Osage Indians are entitled to a 2,229th share in all the vast Osage lands and money."
Republican, February 6, 1926
For more information about the Osage murders in Oklahoma, check out Killers of the flower moon : the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI by David Grann.
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