The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-12-17
The Situation at Standing Rock.

ST. PAUL, Dec. ia Bismarck. n. d.
special to the Pionecr-PreSS says: But little
ward is obtainable from Standing Rock to
day or to night. The iron clad, non-inter =
course rule of the military holds the rein
over the military telegraph, and all news
papers are cut off from any communication
by wire with the agency. The mail-driver
from Wlnona this morning knew nothing
more than published this afternoon. The
bodies OF those slain in yesterdays engage
ment, fifteen in all, were brought to the
post today and viewed by large crowd.
Two troops OF cavalry from Fort Lincoln,
with three days ratlons, started for the
crossing of the government trail over Can
non Ball river, about fifty five miles south
west of here, and will establish a camp
there. A number Of Transfers and wagons
were sent from here this afternoon to fol
low them with supplies.
To-day advices from Standing Rock
are to the effect that the arrest
of Sitting Bull was decided upon by
Agent Mclaughlin when he heard on Sun
day that the willy old chief and his follow
ers were about to set out Tor the bad lands.
Once there, it would be long time, and
there would be much hard fighting, before
any of the hostiles could be taken or
starved out. Therefore, orders were given
to the police and they set out Sunday
night, the troops following by early morn
ing. The police had reached camp. the
cavalry was three miles in the rear, and
the infantry much farther away. On
reaching camp, the police found the
campers almost ready to move. Sitting
Bull was seized and placed under
arrest, but not bound, and the police
quickly started for the agency. But the
followers of the old man soon got over their
surprise and sharp ire was at once
| Iona nod ON he,
in kind and several fell from their horses.
among them Sitting Bull and his son,
Blackbird. The old medicine man had tried
to direct matters for a time by loudly shout
ing orders, but his fall upset the hostiles.
They at once rallied, however, and sur
rounded the police, who fought bravelv
and well, but would soon have been over
powdered bad not the cavalry, who had
been sent for, arrived on the scene.
The police were at that time
almost out of ammunition and fighting
hand to hand, but the sight of the soldiers
and the roar OF the machine guns alarmed
the hostiles and they fed UP Grand river.
The cavalry followed but a short distance
and then returned TO camp and took posses
sion of the bodies of Sitting Bull and his
son. -Four Policemen were killed and threa
wounded, and it is thought altogether eight
of the hostiles were killed. Crow Foot. a
twelve-yearold son of Sitting Bull, and
number of others were wounded
Sitting Bulls followers, when they fed
up Grand river, left behind them all their
tents and families, which will be turned
over to the agency. After going a short
distance up the river, the fleeing redsk ms
scattered and went off in all directions
through the country toward the bad lands.
Some OF them may try TO reach the Indians
of Two Strikes band further south. while
others will seek to escape to the north.
However, there is little chance for them in
any direction, as the soldiers are located
all around the bad lands, and the Indians
will have little chance to get at the feed
ranches thai are located in that district
Even if they attempt to 90 on small raids
the soldiers are placed so as to head them
off
The effect of the death of Sitting Bull is
problematical. He Was act 2 chief In the
sense of being leader in battle and never
has been addressed as chief, but the wily.
ambitious old rascal, with more of the poll
tician about him than is ordinarily credited
to savage, by working on the supersti
tons ana fears of the Indians, gained what
ever prestige he had, and just how those
who survive him will take his death cannot
be estimated Other leaders who hated
him will surely not seek to avenge his
death. Still, ne had gained considerable
following among the ghost dancers and
these may attempt something in revenge.
The people around Bismarck and in the
neighborhood OF Standing Rock agency err.