Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-12-02
SITTING BULL.
Interview Between the Sioux Chief and
Scout Allison.

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD
FORT BUFoRD November ii, $780,
| sent you an account of an interview be-
tween Sitting Bull and scout Allison ALI
son is the most intelligent interpreter have
ever met. He has an almost thorough
knowledge of the higher language of the
powerful Sioux tribe, having been teacher
in their schools and in their language. There
is as great a difference in the true. Language
THAT spoken by the chiefs and head mem
and the squaw talk of most of the interpre-
ters as there is between the English spoken
in Boston and that used in a mining camp.
1t appears that the traders land some of
the scouts sent out to learn the views Of the
Sioux along the boundary line and ON both
sides of it, have been doing their best to pre-
vent Sitting Bull from coming in because it
would deprive them of just SO many custom
erS.
The following statement is about the same
rs the report submitted by Allison to Major
Brotherton, commanding Fort Buford, and if
Sitting Bull does come in it will be owing to
the measures adopted by Maj. B., who sent
Allison and Private Day of Co. c, 7th Infan-
try, to the camp of that chief, located near
Poplar Creek. The ease with which Allison
passes into and out Of the Sioux camp shows
that he knows what he is about. He also
displays judgment and sound sense in deal
ing with Indians and the selection of his
agents on the the part of Major Brotherton
which is as rare as it is commendable.
1t does really seem that the surrender will
be effected, but in such quiet manner that
it will hardly be known outside of official
circles, that is, there will be no display of
fire works and no blood spilled. If the most
desirable end is accomplished it will be at an
expense so small as to appear almost ridicu-
lous.
The idea that one earnest, conscientious of
ticer, with one well-meaning, honest, intelli-
gent scout, should succeed in bringing about
what the Government has so earnestly striv-
en for at a minimum of expense, that which
thousands of troops, scores of scouts and mil
Lions of money have utterly failed in seems
almost incredible. But it will be an accom-
plished fact unless some interference destroys
the alomost completed fabric. There is some
virtue in soft, well-chosen words after all.
Allison says:
Three days before ! reached the camp of
Sitting Bull thirty head of horses were run
off by some of their numerous Indian enc |
mics. The day previous to my arrival two
of Sitting Bulls men had engaged i'll fight |
about horse, in which one of them killed |
the other Upon the night of my arrival in |
camp an attempt was made by Blackfeet to
steal horses, but they were detected and |
foiled. The next day party of Sioux, while |
hunting buffalo, were attacked by Blackfeet |
who killed and scalped one young man. The |
body was recovered and brought into camp |
The slain warrior was a great favOrite and |
the son of Scarlet Thumter.p
Again at night the Blackfeet crept into
camp after horses, but were early discovered,
and, after an exciting chase, escaped, though
not until after great many shots had been
exchanged. All these troubles following
each other in such rapid succession were not
without their effect, and made it difficult for
me to obtain an interview with the chief
men, that is, to get them together for talk.
They were not in frame of mind to listen
| succeeded, however, after some delay, in
calling a council, and there expressed to them
the terms upon which they could surrender
TO the United States Government according
TO the instructions given me by Major Bro
therton, after which / explained to them
the advantages that accrue to
them by complying with these demands and
settling down on an agency. drew a strong
comparison between their present precarious
mode of living and the prosperous condition
of the agency Indians. They listened very
attentively till had finished, when Sitting
Bull replied:
He said that he was well aware that the
time had come when it was necessary for
him to come to O peaceable understanding
with the Government, but objected to the
word surrender" and claims that he is not
IN arms against this Government, and in fact
never did anything more than to defend
himself when attacked by the troops in his
own country He claims that he has never
by word or deed relinqished his claim to
that country, but was driven from it by
force of arms. But he admits that necessity
c0mpels him to do something for his people.
The severity Of the winters and the scarcity
OF game in the country he now occupies are
lacts that cannot be overlooked, but he most
entreats the U, S. Government not
70 make any demonstration against him,
either hostile ar nacifip until after the 10th