The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-12-16
The Last Visit to Sitting Bulls Camp.

CHICAGO, Dec. 15.-The story of the last
visity paid by white man to Sitting Bulbs
camp prior to the tragic event of to-day is
told in a report received this afternoon by
Assistant Adiutant- General Corbin. The
narrative throws food of light on the old
chiefs willy character and strongly depicts
the circumstances existing in the isolated
camp. The document is addressed to
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morgan by
United States Indian Agent Mclaughlin,
of Standing Rock agency, and is in part as
follows:
Learning that the ghost dance was in
progress in Sitting Bulls camp and that q
large number of Indians of the Grand
river settlements were participating, Nc
Laughlin concluded to take them oy sur
prise. Sunday morning he left for
that settlement accompanied by Louis
Prineau and got there unexpectedly and
found the ghost dance at it's height. A
majority of the boys and girls participating
were, until few weeks ago, pupils at the
dancing schools at the Grand river settle
ments. Mclaughlin did not attempt to
| stop the dance but remained over night and
| had long talk with Situng Bull and a
number of his followers. He spoke very
plainly to them, pointing out what had been
done by the government for the Sioux peo-
pie and how this faction by their present
conduct were abusing the confidence that
ment in its magnamity in granting
them full amnesty for all past
offenses when from restitution and immi-
| nent starvation they were compelled to
surrender as prisoners of war, and dwelt
at length upon what had been done by the
government for their own industrial ad.
vaucement, and assured them of what this
absurd craze would lead to if these de
moralizing dances and disregard of the de
partmeut orders were not soon discon-
tinued.
Sitting Bull while very obstinate and
first inclined to assume the role of ''Big
Chief" finally admitted the truths OF
McLaughlin's reasoning. He had a pro
position to make which, if the Indian agent
would agree to and would carry out, ii
would ailay all further excitement among
the Sioux over this ghost dance. Sitting
Bull! then stated his proposition which was
that Mclaughlin should accompany him or
a journey to trace from this agency to thai
other tribes of Indians through which the
story of the Indian Messiah beer
brought and when he reached the last tribe
or where it originated, if they could no
produce the man who started the story an(
did not nnQ Ule new Messiah as QGSCrlDe(
upon earth, together with the dead indian.
returning to reinhabit this country, h
would return convinced they (the Indians
had been imposed upon which report from
him would satisfy the Sioux, and all prac
TIGERS of The ghost societies would cease
, But if it was found to be as prophesied b,
the Indians, they should be permitted L
; continue their medicine practices and or
/, ganize as they are now endeavoring to dc
: Mclaughlin told him the proposition wa
novel one, but the attempt TO carry it GU
would be similar to an attempt to catch tn
wind that blew last year, but he wishe
him to come to his home where he woul
convince him absurdity that this was fool
i, ish craze. Sitting Bull, however, woul
4 would not fully promise TO come into tn
agency to discuss the matter, but said h
8 would consider the talk just had and decid
:. after deliberation.
y Mclaughlin found that the active men
; bers in the dance were not more than haI
the number of earlier dancers and believe
4 the craze is losing ground among tn
Indians WRile there are many who ar
, half believers he is fully satisfied he ca
keep the dance confined to the Grand rive
Q district. From close observation he
convinced the dance can be broken up an
after due reflection would respectful
suggest in case this visit to Sitting Blu
: fails TO bring him in as invited to do all Il
r dams living On Grand river be notified tn:
@ those wishing to be known as opposed
) the ghost doctrine, and friendly to I'll
h government, and desiring to support tt
n provisions of the treaty. must report to tt
agency and be required to camp near Il