Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-01-08
FAMOUS SITTING BULL.
The Character of Sitting Bull, tho Grea
Chief Of the Sioux.

The Character of sitting Bull, tho Grea
Chief Of the Sioux.
Probably when the facts are all know
It will be discovered that Sitting Bul
had more to do in influencing the In
dams against signing the treaty a
Standing Rock than any other man
Bull is an Indian Of large brain, as the
writer ascertained while travelling with
him for three months in the East. He
is diplomatic in his nature; not great
warrior, but rather safe counselor,
and as such he has great influence with
the Indians. He is a thoughtful savage,
and his travels in New York, Phiiadel-
phia and Brooklyn, in 1884, taught him
the ways OF the whites TO such an ex-
tent that he Is now we'll able to cope
with them. He Is especially good in
making bargain. Indeed, the writer
considers him intellectually one OF tho
most powerful Indians on the American
continent. That he has had much to
do in shaping the opinions OF the tribe
there can be no doubt.
Sitting Bulls Indian name is Ta-ton-
ka-ia-ton-Ka, and he was born on the
banks OF Grand river, within tho
boundaries OF the great Sioux rescrva-
tion and about forty-fve miles south
west from the present Standing Rock
Agency In Dakota. He is fifty-fve
years OF age. has very large head. is
cool and thoughtful, very decided in
his ways, and yet will listen TO argu-
ment and will answer with argument.
His original name was Wa-Kan-yo u-na-
gin, or Standing Holy, which name he
retained until he was fourteen years
old. when his father, whose name was
Sitting Bull, took him along with him
on the war path in tho Crow country
(the inveterate enemies OF the Sioux,
and he, the fourteen-year-ol boy,
counted his FIRST victory by killing n
Grow Indian. After returning to their
home his father threw away" three
ponies, !. C., killed thom In honor OF his
brave sons achievement, at the same
time announcing that he had changed
the name of his son from Standing Holy
10 that Of Sitting Bull. bestowing his
own name upon him.
In person. Sitting Bull IL solidly
built Indian. not quite 80 tall as nm Or
binary savage. yet heavier in many re-
spects His features are strong, and
whom he walks he turns his toes in
ward, strikes the ground with a heavy.
jarring tread, and moves rapidly like a
man OF business His general look Ii
heavy. wbilo that OF Little Crow, the
loader OF the great Indian outbreak In
Minnesota in 1881, and Hole-in-the-D Day,
the great Chippewa chief, were more
refined, but none the less true Indians.
The Dakotas believe that they must inn
ftaie Hny-o-kah, the undcmonstrative
god, who inculcates tho idea that 1t IL
not digniiied, or manly, or great to
evince lively emotions OF grief or Joy,
but under all circumstances, even of
torture and death itself, tho Indian
must show II stolcal, impassive face,
and hence the immovable features of
Sitting Bull or any other Indian who
lays claim to power among his tribe.
Tho principal characteristic OF this
great medicine man--for no is known
among his tribe as such--is his stub
hornness OF character, the same ele-
mont which made Grant tho greatest
warrior Of modern times. With jul
dicious management Bull could, no
doubt. DO won over to the whites, but
you can't drive him. Cor. IMaca IN.
" Journal