, 1881-08-13
Sitting Ball.


in Indian history. As fighter he IN
doubtedly ranks higher than the Semi
mole chief, Billy Bowlegs, who gave ten.
Scott SO many ''rubs" in Florida As =
diplonaiist he heads the Indian list Az
strategist and commander he has earned
the title of the Sioux Napoleon. Here
favorable comparisons must end, how
ever There is nothing in his life that
can commend him to civilization A
savage in the worst sense, he has des-
pissed our institutions and seldom missed
an opportunity to butcher and mutilate
the whites who have fallen into his hands
committing outrages that have shocked
every sense of humanity. A brief review
of some Of his acts, however, will prove OF
interest: Fourteen years ago he was
what is known as the blanket Indian on
the plains. In 1869 he began to show
that bold, defiant spirit and hatred of our
race which subsequently placed the nation
in mourning. A: that time Gen. Henry
4. Morrow was in command of the United
States forces at Fort Buford on the Mis-
souri, river. Various depredations were
reported in the vicinity of Buford, and
these were charged to Sitting Bull The
willy Indian denied all knowledge of these
matters. Soon the settlers entered on
the campaign of retaliation, and one Of
Bulls warriors was killed. This he de-
clared an unjust act of reprisal, and
avowed his intentions of avenging the
death Of the Indian General Morrow.
hearing this, arranged to meet Sitting
Bull, and being convinced that 10 this in
stance the settlers were wrong Morrow
paeitied him by piling presents on the
dead, pursuant to Indian usage. In so
doing, however, he created a dangerous
enemy His spirit of independence be-
came known, the bold Indians focked
around him from all quarters, and he soon
found himself at the head of the most
powerful and most dangerous bands on
the plains. And, as. his band increased
in strength, Sitting Bulls arrogance and
ferocity became more marked. He re-
fused to live on a reservation, went into
camp in wild part Of the country on the
Yellowstone river, and claimed all the
land along that river and its tributaries
Early in the year 1879 sume settlers from
Montana went down the Yellowstone and
built fort on the territory claimed by
the Indians. Sitting Bull ordered them
away. They paid no attention TO him,
and he sent some men and shut them up
in their stockade. One of Sitting Bull 5
invaders were killed by the whites then
Sitting Bull retaliated by killing two of
the Montanians This opened a war
which lasted until January, 1873. Fort
Pease, rs the settlers called their inclo-
sure, contained only A. whites, against
whom 500 Indians were sent. The siege
was complete. For three months the
whites kept the Indians at bay, during
which period six of their number were
killed and n.ne wounded. The provis-
ions at Fort Pease gave ont and starva-
vation threatened to make short work OF
the hardy momtaineers. 1t was then re-
solved to send for help, and two men left
the fort one night under the cover of
darkness and succeeded in reaching Fort
Ellis after perilous journey on foot on
February 20, 1876. The alarm was given
and Gen. Terry, the department comman-
der, ordered that Port Pease be relieved
Immediately and at all hazards. United
States cavalry, three companies of Mon
tana militia and 100 friendly Crow lndi-
ans were on the march Sitting Bull
withdrew before the troops reached Fort
Pease on March 9Th, without firing a shot
He declared his only desire WAS to have
the country nd of the offensive white
man. As soon as the white men had
been taken away Sitting Bull set fire TO
and destroyed Fort Pease, then returned
to his camp. Immediately on the arrival
of the half starved whites at Fort Ellis
war was declared against Sitting Bull
He was ordered TO surrender within ten
days He failed to come in, and Gen.
Crook, Terry and Gibbon, from the de-
partments of the Platte, Dakota and Mon
tana, were sent against him in different
directions with heavy columns and in
strueted to capture or destroy him and
his band. Sitting Bull had gathered his
warriors on the Rosebud where Gen Glib
bon found him. His camp, which was
seven miles long, contained about 5000
men, women and children-the fighting
men numbering about 5000. Gibbon saw
how unequal contest he would have to
Il, tan tha
opposite side of the Yellowstone until
reinfcrcements arrived. Hearing that
General Crook was advancing on him
from another direction, Sitting Bull gave
him battle and checked his advance He
then turned down the Rosebud and
waited. Hearing next that Gen. Custer
was coming, he crossed over to the Little
Big Horn and chose strong position.
Here the brave Custer found him, and, ],
rs was fully set forth at the time, sacri-
feed himself and his entire command,
rushing into an ambush from which none
emerged to relate the history of one of
the most bloody and barbarous fights in
the history of the United States. 1t was
here that Sitting Bull secured the reputa-
tion of being at once great commander
and a merciless, ungovernable savage.
From tha: day 10 this he has been fu-
cit;ye. He escaped tn Canada and Sc
cured protection and food for a while.
but iesertions and poverty have at last SO
far reduced him that be now yields HIM
self np to the United States government.
1t is, perhaps, well for him that the quail
itv of mercy to be shown him will be de-
termined by military instead of civil law.
The Talbot brothers, hung week ago
to-day for numbering their father, were
nice boys. Following is copy of the
articles under which they and their part
ners did business:
MOSD.y, October 25, 1880
We. this day of our Lord, 1880, 60
into contract together, Albert P. Talbot,
Charles f. Talbot, Wilford Mitchell,
Frank b. Hudson, for the purpose Of
bank robbery, train robbing, stage rob-
hing and safe, and each one viii be sworn
into the same, and stay together until
death in any attempt TO obtain booty, and
in case any one betrays any of onr men
death Is his portion at any time the frs.
train OF bank is robbed. Anyone on the
bond can resign, if he chooses; and if he
does resign, he must keep all secrets td
himself. or he shall be killed; and there
mnst be an equal division of the booty.
Before any trim is robbed or anything j,
done there is one traitor in the gang whe
must be killed before he can proceed fur