The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-12-26
THE NOBLE RED MAN.

DENVER, Col, Dec. IA News cou-
rier from camp near Days ranch has
the following from Rapid City, Oak.
"a rancher just arrived in great haste
to our commanding officer reports a
command of cavalry attacked and two
officers and fifty men killed, but the
Indians were repulsed with heavy
losses The number of Indians killed
is not known. The Indians were put to
rout This report is probably correct
1t is not known whose command it was
THE KILLING OF SITTING BULL
STANDING Rock AGENCY, s D., Dec
1L-"God Almighty made me. God
Almighty did not make me an agency
Indian, and I'll fight and die fighting
before any white man can make me an
agency Indian" This is the declara-
ton made by Sitting Bull to General
Miles, and the detailed reports of the
medicine mans fight give to the de-
claration the full force of prophecy.
That the Government authorities pre-
ferred the death of the savage to his
capture whole skinned few persons here,
Indian or white, have doubt 1t was
felt that Sitting Bulls presence any
where behind iron bars would be the
cause of endless troubles. while, should
he fall victim to the Winchester, the
thousands Of Messiah crazed ghost dan
GERS would rudely realize that his ''med-
| icine," which was to make them bullet
proof and yet could not save so great an
oracle, must be worthless.
The expedition which started from
this agency for Sitting Bulls lonely
camp forty miles distant to take him
| dead or alive, was, there is every reason
to believe, carefully planned military
maneuver, originating with General
Miles, sanctioned in the War Depart
ment at Washington and authorized be-
fore President Harrison's Cabinet
When General Miles left Chicago the
| expedition which had been under prep
| paration at Fort Yates was also ready
to move. Almost at the moment that Gem
eral Miles car left for the Northwest. the
| mem ers of the little command hero
took their departure toward the camp of
| Sitting Bull on the banks OF the Grand
river. The band was led by Sitting
Bulls own blood, and was superbly
mounted and accoutred.
Close behind tho b,ue coated Indian
| horsemen's hardy ponies but taking a
| slower pace on the frozen trail, went
Captain Fechets cavalry command, who
were incumbered with two machine
guns To the rear Of Fechets cavalry
was the infantry command of Colonel
| Drum.
The distance and the capabilities of
the troops to withstand the fatigues of
such journey had been figured out to
a nicely and when the first faint light
Of dawn appeared the expedition was
| within easy distance of its destination.
The broken order of triple separation of
forces had been carefully preserved and
the Indian police were the first to sight
the cluster of tepees on the river bank.
Despite the early hour all was astir in
the village, where, on every hand,
was evidence that hurried exodus was
contemplated. The ponies of the
police were pushed now for all they
were worth, and before Sitting Bulls
adherents had half chance to realize
the situation dozen Of the police had
on all sides of the chiefs abode and he
was hustled out hoisted on a waiting
pony and in trice faced toward civiliza-
tion. He ragged and sputtered for mo-
ment then Strengthening up shouted
hoarsely command to his followers
Despite the threatening of the police
Winchesters, alternately directed at his
head and those of his kinsmen, he re-
tanned his presence Of mind and with
powerful voice continued to direct his
own rescue.
Suddenly there was puff of smoke
beside tepee and the sharp crack of .
Winchester The policeman at Sitting
Bulls right grasping the chiefs bride,
reeled in the saddle and topping over
was trampled under the hoofs of the
ponies now all in the mad retreat from
the village.
The shot was instan tly answered by q
volley from the police at their blank
eted tr besmen, many of whom were al
ready mounted and in frenz;ed pursuit.
The police volley told with deadly et-
feet and the firing in moment was
general on both sides.
Sitting Bull could be heard in the
confusion still attempting, though cap
tive, to direct the fight Raising his
gaunt form he was reckoning his son
and warriors on. when, without warn
ing, his body Strengthened r'gidly and
then dropped limp on the hard prairie.
The police halted round the corpse,
not knowing for q moment but it was
trick of the willy old chief. The sudden
movement and the fall of Sitting Bull
isconcerted the pursuers, who remained
at distance firing at intervals toward
the police. The latter held their ground
knowing the cavalry under Captain
Fechet would soon be at hand.
To the surprise OF all, however, the
hostiles, who had been consulting
among themselves. began q movement
to close in from all sides. The rattle Of
Winchesters was now redoubled from
both parties. the police using their
ponies as protection.
1t was at this critical iuncture that
Captain Fetchet's men dashed up and
the Calling gun was put in position and
opened up on the redskins. The latter
were unable at this unexpected on
slaught to stand even for moment and
all bolted for the river. The cavalry
followed only short distance, deeming
it better policy not to drive to despera-
tion the now leaderless mob.
No Special Message.
WASHINGTON, Dec 1.-THE Presi-
dent has abandoned the idea Of sending