The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-16
LAST TALK WITH COLONEL BULL.
Willy Old Dancing Master Professed to
Believe In the Messiah.

Believe In the Messiah.
CHICAGO, Dec, 15.--The story of the last
visit paid by white man to Sitting Bulls
camp prior to the tragic events of today,
is told in report received this afternoon
by Assistant Adjutant General Corbin. The
narrative throws hood of light on the old
chiefs willy character, and strongly depicts
the circumstances existing in the isolated
camp. The document is addressed to Com
missioner of Indian Affairs Morgan by
United States Indian Agent Mclaughlin,
of Standing Rock agency, and is in part as
follows:
Learning that ghost dance was in
progress in Sitting Bulls camp and that a
large number of Indians of the Grand
river settlements were participating, Nc
Laughlin concluded to take them by sur
prise. Sunday morning he left for that
settlement, accompanied by Louis Prineau,
and got there unexpectedly and found the
ghost dance at its height. The majority of
the boys and girls participating were, until
few weeks ago, pupils at the day schools
at the Grand river settlements. McLaugh-
lin did not attempt to stop the dance, but
remained over night and the next day had
long talk with Sitting Bull and a num-
ber of his followers. He spoke very
plainly to them, pointing out what had
been done by the government for
the Sioux people, and how the faction, by
their present conduct, were abusing the
confidence that had been placed in them
by the government in its magnaminity in
granting full amnesty for all past often
ses, when from destitution and imminent
starvation they we're compelled to surren-
der as prisoners of war in 1880, and dwelt
at length upon what had been done by the
government for their own industrial adj
vancement. He told them what this abb
surd craze would lead to, If these demoral-
izing dances and disregard of the depart
ment's orders ere not soon discontinued.
Sitting Bull, while very obstinate, and
at first inclined to assume the role of a
''big chief finally admitted the truth of
Mclaughlin reasoning He had PROPOSE
ton to make, which, if the Indian agent
would agree to and would carry out, would
allay all further excitement among the
Sioux over this ghost dance. Sitting Bull
stated his proposition, which was that
Mclaughlin should accompany him on
Journey, to trace from this
agency to each of the other
tribes of Indians through which the
story of the Indian Messiah had been
brought, and when he reached the last
tribe, or where it originated, if they could
not produce the man who started the story,
and did not find the new Messiah as de-
scribed upon earth, together with the dead
Indians returning to re-inhabit this coun-
try he would return convinced that they
(the Indians) had been imposed upon,
which report from him would satisfy the
Sioux and all practices of the ghost socie-
ties would come 10 an end; but If they
found him as professed by the Indians
they should be permitted TO continue their
medicine practices and organize as they
are endeavoring to do.
Mclaughlin told him that the PROPOSE
ton was a novel one. but 10 attempt to-
carry it out would be similar to an at
tempt to catch the winds that blew last
year; but he wished him 10 come 10 his
house, where he would convince him of
the absurdity of this foolish craze. Sitting
Bull, however, would not fully promise TO
come into the agency TO discuss the ques-
ton. but said he would consider the talk
lust had and decide after deliberation.
Mclaughlin found that the active men,
bers in the dance were not more than half
the number in the earlier dances, and be-
Heves the craze is losing ground among the
tnQldnSs W ME iHtTc are many WHO are
half believers he is fully satisfied he can
keep the dance confined 10 the Grand river
district. From close observation he is
convinced that the dance can be broken
up, and after due reflection, would respect
fully suggest, in case his visit To- Sitting
Bull fails to bring him in, that all the
Indians living on Grand river be notified
that those wishing 10 be known as opposed
to the ghost dance doctrine and friendly To
the government, and deriving the sup
port provided i'm the treaty, must
report to the agency and be required To
camp near the agency for few weeks,
and those praeticing their medicine prac-
tices in violation of department orders to
remain on Grand river, from whom subsis-
tence will be held.
Something looking toward the breaking
up of this craze must be done, and now
when cold weather is approaching, is the
proper time. Such step as is here sug-
gested would leave Sitting Bull with but
few followers, as all or nearly all would
report for enrolment, and thus he would
lie forced in himself