Arthur Bonnicastle

Arthur Bonnicastle was an Osage politician who served as the 8th elected principal chief of the Osage Nation from 1920 to 1922. Born in the Osage Nation, Indian Territory, Bonnicastle attended the Carlisle Indian School before enlisting in the United States Army in 1900. He served in the 9th Cavalry Regiment during the Boxer Rebellion and was discharged in 1903. After returning home, he entered tribal politics and served on the Osage Nation tribal council from 1908 to 1910 and 1922 until his death in 1923.

Not to be confused with Arthur Bonnicastle, an 1873 novel and character by Josiah Gilbert Holland.
Arthur Bonnicastle
8th Principal chief of the Osage Nation
In office
1920–1922
Succeeded byNe-kah-wah-she-tun-kah
Osage Nation tribal councilor
In office
1922–1923
In office
1908–1910
Personal details
Born(1877-02-20)February 20, 1877
Osage Nation, Indian Territory
Died1923 (age 45–46)
CitizenshipOsage Nation
EducationCarlisle Indian School
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1900-1903
Unit9th Cavalry Regiment
Conflict

Early life and military service

Arthur Bonnicastle was born on February 20, 1877, in the Osage Nation, Indian Territory, (later Oklahoma Territory from May 1890-November 1907 and then Osage County, Oklahoma after 1907) to his mother Me-Tse-He. He is named after Josiah Gilbert Holland's 1873 novel Arthur Bonnicastle. In 1899 he attended the Carlisle Indian School before joining the United States Army the next year.[1] He was sent to the Philippines (then a U.S. colony) and deployed to China on July 9, 1900, and took part in the Battle of Tientsin and the Battle of Yangcun during the Boxer Rebellion.[2] In 1903 he was honorably discharged and briefly returned to school at Carlisle.[1]

Political career and death

In 1908, Bonnicastle ran for the Osage Nation tribal council and won the election. He lost re-election in 1910. In 1920, he was elected the 8th principal chief of the Osage Nation. In 1922, he did not seek re-election as chief and instead ran for and won a tribal council seat. In 1923 he fell off a train and died while returning from Washington D.C..[1]

In media

Bonnicastle was portrayed by Yancey Red Corn in the 2023 film Killers of the Flower Moon.[3]

References
  1. "Did You Know?". Osage Nation. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. Jefferson, Anna (2 July 2020). "Arthur Bonnicastle, 20th Century Osage Warrior". Tulsa World. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. McDonnell, Brandy (October 18, 2023). "'Evil was all around us': Osage actor brought family connections to 'Killers of the Flower Moon'". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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