White Hair facts for kids

White Hair (also known as Pawhuska) was the English name for several important leaders of the Osage Nation. These leaders lived in the 1700s and 1800s. A picture of one White Hair can be seen at the Osage Nation Museum in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

White Hair I: The First Pawhuska

The first leader known as White Hair was born around 1763 and passed away about 1809. The town of Pawhuska, Oklahoma is named after him. He was a chief of the Thorny-Valley people, who were a group within the Osage tribe.

How White Hair Got His Name

In 1791, Pawhuska is said to have fought against American soldiers in Ohio. During a big battle, he tried to take the scalp of a fallen officer. But instead, the officer's powdered wig came off in Pawhuska's hand! The officer managed to escape in the confusion. Pawhuska was very impressed by how the wig had protected the man. So, he kept the wig for the rest of his life and became known as White Hair.

The Osage Nation's Power

In the late 1700s, the Osage were a very strong tribe on the Western prairies. Their lands stretched from the Missouri River south to the Red River. Pawhuska was their most important chief. He had close connections with French traders, especially the powerful Chouteau family. These traders worked under the Spanish government. The Osage often had small fights and battles with the Spanish and other Native American tribes.

Changes for the Osage

Over time, the Osage tribe started to split into three main groups. This made them weaker. In 1796, Pawhuska and his group settled near Jean-Pierre Chouteau's trading post. This post was located on the Verdigris River in what was then called Indian Territory.

In 1800, a new Spanish governor, the Marqués de Casa Calvo, accused the Osage of stealing and harming non-Natives. He wanted Pawhuska and his group to fight against other Osage. But Pawhuska refused to do this.

Family Connections

One of Pawhuska's daughters married White Plume, a chief of the Kaw people. This marriage helped create a lasting peace between the Osage and Kaw tribes. White Plume's great-grandson was Charles Curtis, who later became the Vice President of the United States. Many Kaw people today can trace their family history back to White Plume and Pawhuska.

White Hair II Through VI: A Line of Chiefs

The leadership of White Hair continued through his family. His son, White Hair II, became chief next. However, he was not chief for long.

Moving to New Lands

White Hair III soon took over. In 1822, he moved most of the Osage tribe to the Neosho River in Oklahoma. Later, as more settlers moved onto their lands, the Osage were forced to move again. They went to a small reservation in Kansas.

Later White Hair Chiefs

• White Hair IV (also known as George White Hair) became chief in 1832. He served until he passed away in 1852 at age 48.
• His cousin, Iron Hawk, became White Hair V. He was chief until his death in 1861, also at age 48.
• Little White Hair was the last chief to inherit the White Hair title. He served until December 24, 1869.

The Final Move and New Discoveries

White Hair VI was one of the chiefs who signed a treaty in 1865. This treaty gave most of the Osage lands in Kansas to the United States. It also prepared the way for the Osage to move to a new reservation in Oklahoma in 1871. This new reservation was in what is now Osage County, Oklahoma.

By this time, the once-powerful Osage of the 1700s and early 1800s were facing many challenges. However, they had a surprising turn of luck. They sold their old lands for a good price. Then, huge amounts of oil were discovered on their new lands in Oklahoma! This discovery brought new wealth and opportunities to the Osage Nation.