Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1879-11-07
COUNSEL WITH The SIOUX
BISHOP MARTIN VISITS THEM
ON FlIENCHMAY,S CREEK.
Sitting Bull Not Recognized---His
Power Gone---The Indians will
Not Come in as Long as
the Buffalo Lasts,
A RELIABLE ACCOUNT

A RELIABLE ACCOUNT.
Bishop Martin, of Standing Rock, bish.
op of Dakota Territory and an earnest
worker for his church, arrived on the Big
Horn Wednesday, on his way home from
ayisit to Sitting Bulls camp in the IN
terest of the church and with the consent
of both the United States and Canadian
governments. The Bishop is a friend to
the Indian and is known and welcomed
by them wherever he goes. He speaks
their language almost as fluently as they
do themselves, and is thoroughly &C,
quainted with their habits, their feelings
and their dispositions. His visit to the
camp of the hostile Sioux is of interest to
both governments, as perhaps no other
man could so successfully fanthom the
inclinations and the true feelings of the
Sioux, as can Bishop Martin.
7aJ HIS VISIT TO THE CAMP. (
The Bishop started from Bismarck on
the 9th of August and arrived at Ft Ben
ton on the 10Th of September, where he
was metby Col. Macleod and accompan-
led by him to Ft. Walsh. The Colonel
being engaged in important official bust
ness was not able to accompany the Bish-
op further and accordingly he was given
in charge Of Capt. Coulton, Of the Cana
dian mounted police. The Sc gentlemen
with an escort of fourteen men proceeded
to the camp of the so-called hostile Sioux.
They were found on Frenchmans' creek
near its crossing Of the boundary. The
Bishop knows Sitting Bull we'll. He is a
passionate, obstinate and unreasonable
chief, who now has little power among the
Sioux. Knowing this the Bishop cared
not to see him and asked for the chief
who undoubtedly now has the greatest
power, l ...... .-,.. ..
p. SPOTTED EAGLE.
This position was held by Crazy Horse
until he died in 1877, when it fell to Spot
ted Eagle, keen, intelligent and brave
chief The Bishop met Spotted Eagle on
Assem- bic together the chiefs Of the Sioux
d
He was treated with the greatest respect
and heartily welcomed by all the chiefs
who remembered his visitto them in 1877
next day Spotted Eagle had congregated
200 chiefs and other influential Sioux,
representing the tribes OF the Uncapapas,
Minneconjou, Conches, Ogalalas and Sans
Arcs. Sitting Bull was not invited by the
pso1,0 1V fn ha otf 70
counsel, as he knew the chiefs stubborn
ness and he did not wish to show him
any attention whatever.
SITTING BULL
had stated the day previous that he would
not Join the counsel, not that he had any
contempt for the Bishop, but he knew be-
fore hand just what the Bishop wanted.
The day Of the counsel, however, Sitting
Bull appeared in front Of the counsel
chamb Der (wigwam) but did not enter. He
remained sedate and said little to any one,
and as soon as the counsel was conclIded
he disappeared without having received
anynotice or attention from the Bishop.
The chiefs in the counsel knew Bishop
Martin from his visit there. before and
greeted him heartily, inviting him most
earnestly to come again.
IN THE COUNSEL
Bishop Martin arose and stated his mis-
sion He had come there for theo good.
He wanted them to be good Indians and
learn the Industrial pursuits of the white
men. He explained to them what was be-
ing done in the direction at Standing
Rock, DEVILS Lake, (Ft. Totten) and 9TH
er agencies and invited them to come in
and become civilized. He told them that
the buffalo were dying out and that they
could not hunt but little north of the line
as they would be in continual warfare
with the Blackfcet, in which case the
Canadian authorities would interfere and
they would starve. Already trespasses on
the Blackfeet's soil had been made and
Col. Macleod had been obliged to make
restitution in order to appease them.
This was the reason of Col. Macleod's in
ability to visit Sitting Bulls camp with
Bishop Martin.) To this address of the
Bishops, four chiefs arose and talked relig-
ion in their own peculiar way,
REPLYING TO THE BISHOP
as follows: "The Great Spirit made the
buffalo for the red men. AS long as men
do right the buffalo will not fail. The
Great Spirit is providing for us. Last
week our arrows killed 1000 buffalo and
yesterday over 800 were Killed to feed our
women and children, and 1t looks not
like starving. AS long as ..he Great
Spirit gives US all the buffalo we want we
do not feel like accepting your invitation,
although we believe you are q good white
man and speak the TRUTH The Bishop
then told them that since they felt in that
way they could stay where they were and
that he could do nothing fol them until
the buffalo grew more scarce, and they
would be obliged to 90 into the agenc,es