Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1881-08-05

OF his fellow cnle1S, MS SlSler anu Tue
guard, Scout Allison, and Mr.. Vermilye.
Stopping at the Merchants, dinner was
ordered for the lparty, after which order
the chiefs were driven to the Sheridan
House. The spacious parlors with velvet
carpets, richly adorned furniture, etc.,
were turned into sort Of counsel room
and an informal reception held, at which
hundreds availed themselves Of the oppor-
tunity of seeing Sitting Bull. The noted
chief sat in the center of half circle,
with scout Allison at his left. The pipe
of peace was lit and the fumes and smoke
arose to the ceiling in large blue rings as
each Indian putted in tarn. After the
pipe had been passed from one end to the
other twice, Sitting Bull was requested to
write his name on piece of paper for one
of the officers accompanying the party
which he did in round, bold hand as
appears at the head of this column. Sit
ting Bull was scantily dressed, purposely
50, no doubt, so as to impress white men
with his poverty. He is below medium
height, sits erect and displays we'll de-
veloped arm His cheek bones are promi-
nent, and beyond having weak eyes, over
which he wore pair of smoked glass
goggles, he appeared ..... ...
IN PERFECT HEALTH.
He had on pair of blueish leggings and
wore about him blue blanket. His feet
were covered with pair of moccasins of
expensive pattern richly studded with por-
cupine quills. He had what was once
fine laundried shirt, but little the worse
for wear, and noticeable feature was the
absence of ornaments, in striking con-
trast to his associates. Streaks of war
paint ornamented the shirt sleeves and
the neck, face and scalp at the hair part
ing were covered with bright red paint.
His hair is jet black, reaches below his
shoulders, and hangs in three braids, the
center one being pendant from round
part at the crown of his broad head, en-
circled at the parting with bright streak
of red. Between the puffs from his pipe,
he famed himself with the wing Of a
hawk, and paid no attention to the crowd
about him. He looks older than fifty,
but is only forty.seven. Occasionally a
remark would be made by one of the
chiefs at which the rest would smile, and
sometimes even laugh heartily. In writ
ing Sitting Bull, holds pencil about like
school boy just learning, and writes his
own name without copy. By furnishing
copy he can write perfectly leglble imita-
tions. Remaining at the Sheridan but
half an hour, the party were
DRIVEN TO THE MERCHANTS,
where dinner was in waiting. Messrs.
Marsh & Wakeman had spread them
selves in this respect, and everything was
served as it would be to the queen Of
England, with the exception that the
whole bill of fare was put before each In
dian. They laughed at the printed bills
of fare, and at the names of some of the
dishes, which were explained to them by
Interpreter Allison. To the surprise Of
the scores of people who were peeping in
at the windows, and the servants within,
each Indian handled his knife and fork
as graceful as the most cultivated. Sitting
Bull ate very slowly, stopping quite often
to fan himself. When desert was served
the Indians marveled much at the ice
cream, and remarked that they could
not see how the white men could
cook vituals so cold. At the conclusion
of the feast Sitting Bull presented Capt.
Bachelor with his pipe, and gave his
glasses to Mr.. Vermilye, which event was
duly celebrated few moments after by
the uncorking of wine bottles, to the de-
light of the friends of the above named
gentlemen. After finishing dinner Sitting
registered his own name on the register,
and the party started for the river
At the Lcvee.
INTERVIEWING HIS ROYAL NIBs.
At the steamboat landing thousand or
more people had gathered in anticipation
of his arrival, to many Of fwhom he gave
audience by answering, through the in
terpreter, questions that were asked.
Mrs. Capt. Harmon, wife of the post
trader, acted IS interpreter, to whom Sit
ting Bull was quite conversational. The
earnestness of the conversation was
evinced BY the constant and interesting
r,oot,,rAo voo1o Posi1o him voa q f1ra