Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-12-19
EIGHT YEARS AMONG THE SIOUX


ming the Gauntlet Ten housekeeping
a Princess-Escape to Civilization.
The st. Louis Republican of Deem
Der 5thconta rs the following: There
arrived in the city few days ago a man
who claims to be the fourth chief OF the
great Sioux tribe. He Is not a child of
the forest nor even a native American,
His name is Sebastian Beck, and he was
born in Hohensohlen, Prussia, January
8, 1928. According to his story, for
over seven long years he was captive
among the Indians. The old man re-
lates his adventures in a straightforward
manner, and displays a wonderful
knowledge of Indian customs and man.
ners. In appearance he bears consid-
cradle resemblance to an Indian, but
not enough TO be mistaken for one, and
he speaks English with German &C
cent. He has the habit, however, of
chopping off bis sentences shortly, so
characteristic of the Indian.
The old mans story as he related it to
a reporter last night runs as follows
In 1875 be was living in Chicago, and
with twenty five families started out I'M
der the leadership of Col. Carpenter, of
Sedalia, No.. for the Black Hills. The
chilli" were reached In due time, and
the little colony settled down TO mining
between Deadwood and Custer City.
For three months and o half they dug
into the ground, and at the end of that
time they had between them $10,-
$50 in nugget gold. On July 18Th three
thousand Sioux Indians swooped down
upon them and captured the entire
camp. They confscated the gold the
colonists had boarded and took every
thing of value they were possessed of.
The captives were then blindfolded,
strapped to ponies, and driven away.
Beck's family, consisting of his wife,
two daughters, one Is and the ether Is
years of age, and son II years old,
were with INN and were also taken off.
For seven days and eight nights the old
man was thus kept bllndfolded, and was
furnished with neither food nor water.
When he pleaded with his captors to re-
Heve his wants they would reply by
punching him IN the side and kicking
him. When they finally did come to
halt he was nearly dead from exhaustion
and almost crazy. The band8ge was
taken from his eyes and he looked
around. He afterWard learned that the
women had been taken off by another
section of the tribe anG that they would
all be forced TO marry and braves war
rIOrs, as is the custom among the Sioux
In dealing with their ..captiyes. Women
are forced to marry Indians and men
forced to take unto themselves squaw
wives.
The men had not been long in camp
when they were brought out one day be
fore the council. The punishment for
captives of this kind is running the quaint
let, running through double column
of Indians, each one of whom holds O
piece of raWhide and lashes them as they
pass. The council decide how many
times each man shall run through the
column, the punishment varying from
five to fifteen times. It fell to Beck S
lot to go through ten times, five times
from each end. Before going through
the captives are stripped, only piece
of cloth being left around their loins. If
the captive runs the gauntlet successfully
the required number of times he then
becomes an Indian, and is pronounced a
brave man and received into the band.
IF he fails, after being subjected to al
sorts of jeers, he is Iashed to death.
Beck passed through the ten times sue
cessfully, but dropped bleeding and ex-
hausted to the ground, more dead than
alive. The rawhides had torn deep
gashes in his flesh, from which blood
flowed copiously. The Indians came up
to him and patted him, and pronounced
him cheap brave" ''big brave" and
g good Iniun." 1t was some time be-
fore he recovered from the effects of his
initiation into the Sioux tribe. Five oil
the party failed to pass through the
ranks the required number of times, and
were dashed to death. The remaining
twenty, after being duly made Indians,
were required to select brides for them
selves from among the squaw captives,
who were kept IN tent near the chiefs
quarters. The men were required tC
pass through the chiefs tent, or tepee,
In order to get INTO the apartment where
the females were. The women were al
seated IN a circle, muffied up to the eyes,
SO that it was impossible to tell which
possessed youth and beauty, and which
old age. Beck who had picked up the
Indian tongue somewhat and who could
converse more with the red men than
his companions, was regarded by the
Indians as the leader of the whites, and
received most attention from them, He
was given first pick Of the squaWs,
who were all captives the tribe had
taken. He was given permission to
pass around the circle three times be.
fore picking his bride. " ] went twice, y
said the ola man, ''wlthout taking a wo
man. You know I did not know how yor
had to indicate which enc you wanted
The Indian that was with me said that
would have to take one the next rounC
or be killed. He also explained how
must do If. You must go up and lay
your hand on the right shoulder of the
woman you want, and then che arises
and takes you. The Indian also told
me how to get a young wife. The young
souaws all throw their eyes down to thu
gro1nd, but the old ones don't. The!
are not bashful. OF course, it is al
simple enough to get young squag
when you know the trick. But L dldn,
know the trick at first. You know,