The Life of the Osage Indians
The Osage Indians, a name given by the first Europeans to discover them, were the first people on record to inhabit what is now The Lake of Ozarks. They called themselves the Ni-U-Ko’n-Ska, meaning “Children of the Middle Waters.” This was a sacred name and they did not share this name with others.
The caves offered temporary shelter to the Osage Indians. Ha Ha Tonka State Park is an excellent example of local “karst” topography, which is characterized by caves, sinkholes, underground streams, large springs and natural bridges.
Just beyond the hills and rocky cliffs, the transition areas of plateaus grow prairie grass that served as the planting ground for corn, beans and pumpkins. As farmers in this three-county area continue to turn up arrowheads, they are reminded of the land’s predecessors.
The next time you’re at the top of a bluff, gaze at the Ozark forests and water below. Imagine tribes of Osage Indians pushing patiently through the trees hunting deer, turkey and other wildlife. By the streams, they fish and capture beavers.
Follow The Thong Tree (also know as Indian trail trees)
You have probably seen these bent trees, strategically placed and full of secrets, standing in the Forest. There is a high concentration of thong trees on either side of Highway 5, mostly between Camdenton and Sunrise Beach.As the Osage Indians moved through the woods, they left these as trail markers. They would first chose their young tree when wanting to signal to members of their tribe, or point to salt licks, caves, bodies of water, and more. Then, they would tie a leather strap to a sapling, stake down the other end, and the tree would bend.
The next time you see a Thong tree, follow the direction and you may be lead on a beautiful story.
Tie Rafting
The Osage River was a passageway for tie rafting. Ties were cut from the nearby forests and then made into large rafts. Floating down the river to the nearby towns, the rafts reached about two hundred feet (sometimes reaching to two thousand feet). Near the mouth of the Osage River, Osage City acted as the terminus of the tie rafts.The popularity of the tie rafting created a booming economy for the habitants. The raft workers would be stationed along the length of the floating boardwalk and guide the raft with poles. Those in the front would steer, and those in the back would brake.
As all good things come to an end, the tie rafting business began to slowly decline in the 1910s. With competition form other areas and the closing of the rivers by Tunnel Dam and Bagnell Dam, the industry died out. However, traces of the tie chutes are still visible to this day. Along the lakeshore, look for the tie chute on the Glaize Arm in.
All work, and definitely some play
Life in the Ozarks wasn’t all work. The pioneers met their need for social interaction by gathering as small communities. They enjoyed box suppers and music played for square, round and clog dancing.These are activities that have been passed on through generations and visitors enjoy today in the small town street dances and festivals. We remember the early pioneers in the music shows where mountain music, country, bluegrass and gospel tunes are an inherent element.
The truth about Lewis and Clark
Many people believe that Lewis and Clark passed through the area on their famous expedition in 1804-1806. This however, is not the case. Lewis’ diary can fool you with details of the area, but if you read carefully you will see that these observations are from trappers and traders who spend time in the area. In preparation for his expedition, he wanted to learn as much as he could about the area so he asked people who had actually interacted with the Osage Indians.The overthrow of the Osage
In 1683, the first French woodsmen came into contact with the Osage.Gradually, commerce began and the Osage bartered beaver and other animal skins for manufactured goods. During this time, the Osage had occasional contact with the Spanish in the southwest. Unfortunately, the interactions were always severely hostile and the Spanish grew to fear the Osage. In 1770, Spain became the new owners of the land and instilled policies of harsh treatment to the Osage, including urging neighbors to wage war on them.
In 1805, a hopeful conversation with an American officer occurred, where he told the Osage people that they now owed their allegiance to the United States but the Americans would protect them. This protection fell short in November when the Potawatomi warriors charged an Osage camp about ½ mile from today’s Truman Dam. Because most of the men were away hunting, most of the women and children were killed. Thirty-four Osages were killed and the remaining sixty were taken as hostages to northern Illinois.
By 1812, after more pain and distrust, British influence caused northern tribes to wage war against the Americans and the Osages. The war lasted for three years. In 1821, a law was instilled that prohibited any Indian presence. The Osage sadly moved to north central Oklahoma and left their beloved land.
Currently, the Osage nation has very little knowledge of their Missouri heritage – only the remembrance of pain. Although there is little left today that reminds us of the Osage here at the lake, there is the occasional archaeological find – like an arrowhead or thong tree. If you are lucky enough to find one of these, reflect on the bountiful yet painful past of the land.
