The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-02-17
CHIEF GALL.
Our Correspondent Interviews this
BlOOdthirsty aud Willy Barbarian
How He Looks. What He Says.

FoRr BUFFALO, Oak. Jan. 31.--Your
correspondent was permitted to visit
the fallen Chief Gall through the
courtesy of Capt. Clifford, who has the
imprisoned hostiles in charge. AS we
reached the outside of the main, camp,
Capt. Clifford said to the inte' prefer,
"Baptiste, call Gall out here" and in a
few moments I was shaking the hand
of as bloodthirsty, willy, and irreclaim-
ably savage being as there is now ex-
tant. - ~
He says How, Kala?' with much
suavity, and looks straight into my
eyes as the interpreter tells him who
and what am, and tells HIM that what
he says to me to-day "the iron talker"
will flash across hundred days Jour
ney ere the sun is risen tomorrow.
Can L describe this man, whose name
will be remembered and chronicled in
history when those of soldiers a thou
sand times his superior in education,
cultivation, and opportunity have been
utterly forgotten? It is q somewhat
difficult task, though Gall is a striking
figure as he stands in the posture Of
erect ease, indicative of the well-built
athlete that he is; with his buffalo
wrapped in toga-like folds about him,
and his sloe-black eyes looking intently
at the lips of the person who chance
to be speaking. Five feet eight inches
in hight, scarce that, but with a. broad,
deep chest, and massive loins and lower
limbs, the feet, as with all his tribe,
small and well arched even with his
clumsy mocasins, the arms small com
paratively, and hands whose size and
contour would put to shame many a
Caucasian who boasts Of sa',gre az alr;;
the nails, though in frightful deep
mourning, are almond shaped and
clearly rounded as any ballroom
beauty's. But it is his head that
strikes you at first glance with admira-
ton. A73 hat would pinch his massive
crown, and his life has shown that there
is no lack of gray matter to fill the
finely-rounded skull. Gall evidently
weighs every word ere he utters it. -
II have always been a hostile, said
he, forcefully, and gleam of transi-
tory remembrance frightened his eyes.
II have no fear of any white man liv-
ing, but fought them upon many bat
tlefelds," then: as he remembered his
captive state-"but now I and my
young men want to 60 back to Standing
Rock agency and farm. I lived there
in 1873, and would have been there
still but for some of the Agency people,
who hated me and drove me out on
the plains a hostile, and, bereft of sis
tiers, mother, home. 1 have suffered,
and that bitterly. Many time in the
five years just passed, I have sat by
my scanty fire, and hungry, cold, worn
out, wished I had wings that I might
fly to the warm tepees of my people
at the Agency. In 1879 I tried twice
to surrender at Poplar river, but once
the military would not receive me
there, and again, when I would have
come to Buford as directed, the Yank-
tonnais "dog soldiers" forced me to re-
main away 1 surrendered to Ilges be-
cause had to do SO. But am glad I
am here now. Maj. Brotherton and
Capt Clifford both treat ME well, and I
want you to tell the people over "the
i.on-talker" that want to go with an
interpreter to the Yanktonnais at Pop
lar river to bring in the rest of my
band scattered there. 1 would leave
my family here (he has two wives and
several chi]dren) and would 60 from
lodge to lodge telling ray people how
well treated we are here.