The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-09-09
SITTING BULL.

In presenting to-day to our readers the por-
trait of this willy savage, we are, of course,
sensible of the fact that no pleasing interest
attaches to the subject; but, then, as a war
rior and strategist beyond the boundaries of
civilization, this cool and calculating Sioux
Is entitled to place in history, notwithstand-
ing that his career has been so marked hith-
erto with deeds of treachery and blood that
1t were better forgotten.
"The survival of the fittest" appears to be
natural and memorable law; and such being
the case, it Will be perceived readily that the
progress of civilization and the dominion of
the superior races cannot fail to be upheld at
any cost; consequently, while we should
shrink unfeignedly from any act savoring of
injustice or oppression, we must expect that
the savage Obstacles which, from time to
time, mar the happiness of our citizens in re-
mote qaraters, and SO obstruct the peaceful
settlement and cultivation of the public do
main, shall be swept out of existence ~ sum
marily as may be, where those who are the
cause Of such difficulty refuse to fall into line
with the requirements of humanity and the
age.
Bull, and the nephew of Four Horns and
Hunting His Lodge, two chiefs also, was born
in the year 1887, near old Fort George, on
Willow creek, below the mouth of the Chey-
enne river. According to his own statement,
his father was "a very rich man, and the
owner of great many ponies in four colors."
When he himself was but ten years old he
was famous rs hunter, his speciality being
buffalo calves" These he gave to the poor
who had no horses, and was consequently
considered good man" On the death of
his father, thirty-one years ago, he "killed
buffalo and fed his people !" and when he had
reached his fourteenth year, on staying an
enemy, he began to make himself "great in
battle, and became chief" for, If we are
to credit his own words, although an Indian
may be chief by inheritance, he has to make
himself one "by his deeds" From the age
of ten to fourteen, his people called him
Sacred Stand but after he had slain this foe,
they changed his name to Tatanka-yan-tanka,
or Sitting Bull. -.
This sullen chief has two wives, and has
had another, who has "gone to the Great
Spirit" He has nine children; and what.
fortunately for the country Is most rare
among his race, two pairs of twins. He has
always been faithless and troublesome Gus
toner aud after his participation in the
massacre of the brave Custer and those who
fell with him, he escaped with his warriors
to Canada, where, until recently, he remained
beyond the reach of the United States Gov
ernment. In an interview with him, and
with one or two other chiefs, reported in the
Chicago Tribune, we find for the first time
the true details Of the Wholesale slaughter of
General Custer and his men; and, although
these details have been presented in light
the most favorable to the savages, it can
readily be seen that the onslaught was most
inhnman and the deliberate act Of over
whelming numbers. Now, however, that
this formidable and rebellious red skin has
been starved out of Canada into the clutches
of our Government, we have no doubt that
he will be rendered powerless for mischief
during the remainder Of his natural life, how
short or long soever that term may be.
1t will he perceived from our engraving, or
rather from the grotesque sketch Incorporated
with it, that although this refractory Sioux
may be great warrior, he is but very poor
artist. This sketch is fac simiie of one made
by his own hand, and is, as may be OWNED,
q representation or memorial of some act Of
his prowess. Evidently he here represents
himself in the light of a conguerer, who
contemplates with fierce pride and savage
complacency the silent winrows of his fallen
enemies. But all such representations must
be taken cum grdno for like his Eastern
progenItor, the Indian Is full Of hypocrisy
and exaggeration.