The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-09-23
SITTING BULL.
The Tamous Chiefs Journey TO and Arrival
nj Fort Vntcx--- His Fall from Power.

The EamOus Chiefs Journey TO and Arrival
mt Fort Yntcs---TIis Fall from Power.
The st. Paul (Aiinn.) Press has the
GLOWING account of tho arrival of Sit
ting Bull and his band at Fort Yates
from British Territory: As soon as the
boat came within sight of the landing
there was great commotion among the
Indians. All the chiefs quickly assem-
hled on the upper deck, standing in
row at the most forward point. One OF
the number raised yellow flag about
yard square, in the center of which was
rude design of deer, with two par
allel lines, below and above, and in the
four corners design representing the
double dagger as used in printing.
This flag was raised as during u battle,
and, as it was flung TO the breeze, the
seven chiefs began their peculiar chant
ing and monotonous songs, which was
every few moments varied with warlikc
yells and peculiar aud Undesirable de.
rnonstratipns. These were continued
with greater vehemence as the boat
neared the landing, while the Indians on
shore simply said "How," and manifested
very little interest. A line of soldiers,
with bayonets, quickly formed and kept
them at q considerable distance. AS
the boat reached the landing the chant
died away into low, cultural tones, and
finally ceased. During all this time
Sitting Bull stood immovable and unde-
monstfative in the row of chiefs, second
from the end furthest from the landing
side. He was the least adorned of his
e companions, and the last who would be
selected as the notorious chief by those
nnacquainted with him. After the boat
had touched the shore it was some time
before the gang-planks were run out,
and tho Interpreter having gained per-
mission for him, the chief, Running
Antelope, stepped aboard. He passed
hurriedly to the upper deck, and in
ascending the stairs near the side of the
boat found Sitting Bull standing, still
immovably, in the row of chiefs and di-
rectly in front of the hatchway. Run
ming Antelope stepped mp to Sitting
Bulls back, threw his arm around his
neck and placed his cheek against his
face and exclaimed. in the Sioux Ian
guage, "My lovel' Sitting Bull made
no movement of recognition until
Antelope had passed through the line,
stepping in front of the chiefs, shaking
hands with them and saying " How" to
each. As he reached Sitting Bull, next
to the last in the line, he found the
great chief crying and wiping away the
tears with costly silk handkerchief
that had been presented to him. No
other Indian was allowed on the boat,
and after this hasty salutation the
chiefs broke ranks and passed down on
the main deck.
Sitting Bull, his father, Four Horns,
and Running Antelope were then in
vited into the cabin, and the officers,
ladies and citizens were invited aboard
the boat and were introduced to the
famous warrior. Such ordinations as
"Why, he does not look at all as / ex-
pected," " He doesn't look as savage as
1 thought" and "Can that be the insti-
gator of the Custer massacre% etc.. |
were heard on every side. The great
chief was very gracious to the ladies, as,
indeed, lie was On the entire trip, and
showed them much attention, and
furnished them with his autograph free
of charge, while he either refused en-
tirely or demanded from 81 to So from
the gentlemen. After the reception in
the cabin, which lasted for half an hour,
all the indians, including the chiefs and
Sitting Bull, were marched ashore in
single file and counted. They were 100
in number, including five children, and
they were assigned camping ground
near the river. After marching ashore
they seated themselves in a circle on
the ground, with the squaws on the
outside and the chiefs in the center,
while waiting for their utensils to be re- !
moved from the boat. There sat in
humiliation the great chief, smoking
his pipe. Only n few years ago Sitting
Bull had following OF 10000 people, /
including nearly 5000 good fighting
warriors. He rambled at his leisure
and adorned his belt with many scalp.
He planned the Custer massacre and
defied the government. At this moment
he is looked upon with jealousy by
nearly all the other chiefs. His spirit
is broken, and he sits on a sandy liver
bank surrounded by civilization with
his last 200 followers, calmly awaiting
his fate.