Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-17
vhe Sioux Described by II Man Who
siyed With Them Five Years.

reporter yesterday evening met MIR. j. u,
k,ier., a gentleman who resided at |, 922 Nor
gan street, in this city, and who possesses a
,reat deal of interesting Information about the
Sioux. Mr.. Keller was, from 1868 to 1873,
clerk of the ageot at Stanton Rock, ADD had
ample opportunities to get acquainted with this
Iribe of blood thirsty savages. In fact he lived
among them SO long that he learned to speak
their language like native" and was great
tayorite of the big chiefs, who oawe to the
aycucy. They called him 'Mnnehua Ochlla, !"
the writing boy. The word Sioux means "cut
throat" According to Mr.. Keller s statement
the various bands Of Sioux number from 80, QUO
to45, 900, and are divided into the following
different tribes Unkapapa, Black Feet, Sans
Arcs, Two Kettles, Upper Yaoktonais, Lower
Yauktouais, Sante Sioux, Burgklys, Mini Con-
ioux and Gaikas Part of these live east and
part west OF the Missouri river. TatoDka
Otahka, (Sttiug Bull who led the savages
iu the fight against Custer, belongs TO the
Uukapapas, (drled beet eaters.). Mr Keller
knows him we'll. He has a large head, eyes
AID nose, high cheek bones; one OF his
legs ia shorter than the other, from gunsbot
wound 10 the left knee. His countenapce is Of
an extremely savage type, betrayiug that blood
so long notorious. He has the nsme of being
one of the most successful soalp lpers 10 the In
diao country There has been standing re-
ward oil 81, 900 offered for bis head for the last
eight years, by the Montana people, who have
special cause to know his terocious na ure, some
of his worst deeds having been perperated 10
that Territory. The Sioux, when oD the war
path, black their faces IRON the eyes down, the
forehead being coored bright red. When 10
mourning, and very eager to revenge the death
of friends or relations they cut their hair short
and daub their faces with white earth. Their
tasts of horsemsnship arc wonderful They
consider the greatest act of valor to be the
striking of their enemy with som hand lostru.
meut while alive, and, whether alive or dead,
it is the frs! one that strikes the fallen foe that
''coun,s" the COUP" aud DOT the one that
shoots him. They do not always alp. Their
obiecy iu scslping is TO furnish proof OF their
deed, aud give them to their women to dance
over. They always attack 10 a sweeping, clrcling
line, eagle like, give volley, pass on, circle
and return on different angle. When they
kill one of the enemy there is always rush to
get the first crack at hun, so as to count the
COUP" and then some Indian who was disap.
pointed in getting cut at the victim while
alive scalps HIM. The Sioux always camp
with tepes (lodges) in a circle, making as 1t
were, stockade. and when on dangerous
ground they picket their ponies 10 the eeotre.
Mr. Keller is familiar with the ground where
the disastrous engagement OF Custer occurred.
Concerning this he said: My idea OF the
Custer slaughter is that the lodlaEs bad 10
women and children 10 their lodges, and had
parapets dug under the lodges out OF sIght:
Custer, thinking it was family camp, rushed
III the centre of their fort, where resistance
would necessarily prove fatal His only means
of escape was, after 6nding himself 10 this Tx,
to run right through and out, and not TO stop
to fight, but join Reno command and retreat.
Generals Harvey, Terry, Sherman and San
Auburn constituted the military commission
who, 10 1865, formed treaty with the Sioux
at Fort Rice, Dak According 10 the terms Ut
tho treaty, the Sioux we're to have all the
country extending from the RunEiog Water
north to ffteeu miles above Heart River, east OF
the Missouri River including thu country
known as the Black Hills. The treaty also call
cd for az annuity Of provisions, clothing akri-
cultural implements, and employers Known as
boss trainers, to teach such as would consent to
come dowo and live at the agencies the mode
of earning livelihood like their white broth
ers (wasechi.1 Those that remained on the
reservation, refusing to come to the agencies,
were allowed smaller auuuity if they abstain
ed from killiog whites. After the treaty had
been made the Indians gradually came into the
different agencies. There they spent the win
tcrs, going into the Yellowstone country for
their summer hunt and to fight the Crows. For
considerable length of time the treaty was
faithfully kept ou both sides. Occasionally .
enall party Of young bucks wou kill u wood
chopper or stray soldier, but this was rare.
Sitting Bull. with about thirty eight lodges Il.
T., families, there being 40 average OF ssVeu to
the lodge was The ouly man who refused to
eat white mans grub" They lived 10 the
Yellowstone country, went into Fort Peck and
Musscl Shell to trade and made general war
on the cilizcns and soldiers who chanced to
cross their paths st Lous Globe Democrat.