Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-12-19
SITTING BULLS F.IECES.
WOMEN WHO CLAIM RELATION
SHIP LIVE IN T'Als CITY.

Eight Xsars-she is Married and
Known by the Name OF MRS. Viola
Leonard-shs Gives Her History.
While the news from the Sioux terri
tory was read with the greatest interest
by the reade IS of the EVENING JOURNAL,
and every fresh item concerning the fate
of the do ring old chief, Sitting Bull,
who sin SO his boyhood has been the
steadfas and implacable enemy Of Uncle
Sam. was sought after with avidity,
nobodg dreamt for a moment that living
quietly aud unostentatiously In the most
uneristocratic quarter of this city were
tw 0 women who claim to be nieces of the
celebrated Indian chief. 1t was never
dreamt that in the house known as No.
24i Tatnall street Viola Leonard and her
sister waited impatiently for the issue OF
the evening papers which would bring
fresh tidings to confirm or deny the
death of the venerable old chief, their
uncle.
Day after day the citizens who live in
the vicinity Of Third and Tatnall streets
would read about that hot skirmish,
where the old chief lost his life, and
admire his courage and fidelity to his
race and to his people. Many Of them
will probably be astonished to leSrn that
the nieces Of one Of the greatest and
brniniest Indian chieftains who ever
lived, moved daily among them with
out attracting any attention.
Sitting Bulls Nieces.
Mrs. Leonard was at home this morn
ing when reporter called In answer
to his questions shs began her story as
follows 81 am niece Of Sitting Bull.
My fathers name was Carmack Bull He
was the Oldest son Of Old Jumping Bull,
who had fifteen children My father was
many years older than Sitting Bull
Il lived in the Sioux territory during
all those wars in which my uncle
took the leading part. was there
when he was pressed so hard
by General Terry that he had to
fly to Canada. left the territory shortly
after the amnesty and the return of my
uncle to the territory, Then made my
way from the reservation and went 10
New York. A year later came to this city,
where have lived for eight years. Five
years ago was married toGeorge Leonard.
| My sister also lives with me. went to
| see my people two years ago. then saw
my uncle, who was hale and hearty. His
death has come upon me with terrible
suddenness. 1t has completely upset my
nerves.
Here she began to shed tears.
My uncle's body, / understand will
be brought to Washington within the
next few days / have written TO the
secretary Of TIE interior for permission
to see his body, but have not yet got
an answer, although expect one daily. .
Have you any papers in your posses
sion to prove your IDENTIFY"
Yes sir. have papers and docu
ments which will give a complete history
of our family. When my mind is more
composed will look over them. | dc
not know exactly what my uncle's age
was. ! think it was somewhere about
b3 years, My father was many years
older
Have you any objections to letting
these books be examined
Wait, shall call my sister. The
sister now appeared
Yes. she began, ''our people have
been robbed, ruined andpersecuted by til,
white people, who have driven us from
the lands which were formerly ours, anc
not content with this robbery
they have now killed nv uncl,
in cold blood. This country was owned
by our people before any white men
came. Now they have killed the chief
taken their body and white men come Il
his family to look about his history. You
shall hear nothing. His history will be
| published then the world will get It.
A soft word had the effect of mollify.
Ing her passion, which was considerably
excited, but she positively refused to
permit the records to be seen.
We can prove our identity, she said.
when We want to ,butItheIeis no need for
us to do so, and we are not particular about
satisfying the curiosity Of those who
have lent their aid for the murder of our
uncle. He was doing nothing but de-
Tending his people and his race and this
he had perfect right to DO.
After this outburst she became sullen
/ and disinclined TO answer any further
questions. Mrs. Leonard came forward
again. Her indignation did not appear to
burn so tiercely as that of her sister. but
she seemed much affected Indeed both
Of them shed tears during the inter
view
"You can understand, she continued
'how We feel aboutlthis matter. He was
killed, you see, without cause or provo
cation, and IL is natural that we should
feel strongly. l have two brothers vet
living In the Sioux territory. MANY
others Of my family left the Sioux terri
tory like myself and are now scattered
over the country. 1t is against the
traditions Of our race to permit white
men to examine our records or pry into
any Of our secrets
Mrs. Leonard is very we'll known ia
some parts Of the city Before her mar
riage she lived with some families as 4
servant She married a mulatto named
George Leonard, and they keep board
ing house at No. 24t Tatnall street. Mrs
Leonard has all the characteristics Of an
Indian, high cheek bones, coarse hair
narrow forehead, and without the thick
| lips or woolly hair which are the ia.
fallible marks of the defendants Of the
African race
The skin OF her sister is not quite 50
red as that OF Mrs. Leonard but she is
stronger and has coarser hair. They
have no children but have adopted one
Two Disappointed Patriots.
One thing Is certain, the Index will
never seek to prolong its existence bv
begging for public patronage at the
hands o. a Republican sheriff. The
Morning News may be willing to do that
sort Of business but the Index draws
the line there. Mr.. Dunn may or may
not be clerk Of the next House of Repre-.