River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-18
SIZING BULL SLAIN.


rest seven other Hostiles and Five
Members Of the Indian Police FAN in
Battle.
STANDING Rock AGENCY, n. D., Dec.
16.-Sitting Bull, the Sioux chief. was
shot and killed at his camp forty miles
northwest of here early Monday morn
iIg by the Indian police while resisting
arrest.
Seven other Indians, including Sitting
Bulls son, Crow Foot, Black Bear and
Catch Bird, were slain. Five of the In
dian police were killed.
Before the firing had ceased three
troops of cavalry came to the rescue
of the Indian police. who were being
routed hy the slIillful sharpshooters of
the hostiles. They brought with them
two machine guns. which were turned
loose upon Sitting Bulls followers, and
within tive minutes the savages were
ont of range and tearing at a furious
rate on their ponies toward the Bad
Lands, where Start Bull and Crow Dog
are intrenchcd with 200 Ogallalla bucks
The police We're sent ont to Sitting
Bull 5 camp To arrest the old chief. as
it had been reported that he had struck
his tcpecs and was about TO Join the
hostilcs who had been pillaging
along the White river. When
the officers reached the camp they
found the Indians ready to march. Their
ponies were painted and many of the
savages had stripped themselves for
war The police made dash into the
camp and seized Sitting Bull They
laafa l. 20
Rock when the tall, athletic son of
the famous chief urged his com
rades to recapture the old man.
The women and children were
left in the bushes and then with yells
the hostiles charged upon the police.
firing as they came. A hand-to-hand
struggle ensued during which Sitting
Bull who was not shacllled, gave his
orders in loud voice For several min
utes the firing was heavy and deadly.
Nearly every man who was hit was
killed.
In the furious fusillade Sitting Bull
fell out of his saddle, pierced by bull
Let, but il is not known whether it was
fred by the charging party or by one of
the police. The son of Sitting Bull
was slain almost at the first volley
of the police The hostiles fired
with deadly accuracy and slowly
drove the police from the field If
the cavalry had not come at this time
it is probable that the force would have
been annihilated. The soldiers were
quick to enter into the action A
sllrnlish line was thrown ont, and
then, l<neeling and firing as they ad-
vanced. the troops with the machine
guns playing over their heads poured
a whitening fire into the savages.
Sitting Bulls body, which had been
abandoned by the police, was secured
as well as that of his son, and win be
taken TO Standing Rock agency. After
the fight was over the followers of the
dead chief struck out at killing pace
for the Bad Lands.
The remainder of Sitting Bulls band
are now in retreat up the Grand river,
but it is not vet known definitely along
which fork their trail win lie In
formation of the most reliable nature
has been received that band of eight
wagons was encamped on the Little Mis-
souri, opposite Pretty Buttes. 1t is there
fore probable that the fugitives will
make this camp their objective point.
They will not be able without great ex-
ertion to reach the forks of the Grand
river. 1t is estimated that $50 warriors
are in the band, and this number is
likely to be increased by other bands.
Lieutenant Casey with troop of Chey-
enne scouts and Captain Adams
troop of the First Cavalry is headed
for the north erd of the Powder river
range, opposite the mouth of the Box
Elder creek. Captain Fountains troops
of the Eighth Cavalry, with pack trans
portation, which will leave here this
morning tor White Buttes, will proba-
bly, intercept the band before it reaches
the Little Missouri. If not Lieutenant
Casey and Captain Adams viii do so.
Settlers who are aware of the move
mentS of the troops are little alarmed,
as the weather is such that in
telligcnce of disturbances and of move
ments travels rapidly, and it is well
known that the troops are so distrib-
uted as TO have the situation in hand.
A general outbreak on the Sioux rescr-
walton is not feared, and those disaf-
fected bands which now are giving
trouble viii soon be placed where they
will cease to be a cause of alarm for the
settlers The Sioux reservation is sur
rounded by troops, thoroughly equipped
for a winter campaign in the most diff
ficult country. All are in communica-
ton with each other and department
headquarters. No outbreak can be
come general in the face of the precau-
tions already taken, and the wild
rumors which have caused the popula-
ton of entire valleys to fly for their
lives are malicious and groundless.
The arch villain is dead and his fol
lowers viii soon lose the enthusiasm
necessary to follow his teachings.
Troops are hot on their trail, and be-
fore another sun has set Sitting Bulls
celebrated chorus of dancers will be
good Indians or prisoners.
AGENT M'LAUGmN's REroRT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-Indian Com
missioner Morgan received from Indian
AGENT Mclaughlin the following dis
patch:
Fort YATES, n. D.. Dec. l5.-The Indian
police arrested sitting Bull at his camp, forty
miles northwest OF the agency, this morning at
daylight. His followers attempted his rescue
anu fighting commenced -Four police
men were killed and three wound
co Eight Indians we're killed in
Guiding Sitting Bull and his son, Grow Foot,
and several others wounded. The police were
surrounded for some time but maintainedtheir
ground until relieved by United States troops
vino now have possession Of Sitting Bull camp,
with all the women. children AMI property
Sitting Bulls followers, probably 100 men, de
serted their families and lied west UP the Grand
river The police behaved Eobiy, and grea!
credit is due them. Particulars by mail
Commissioner Morgan showed this
telegram to the President late Monday
evening The President said that he
had nc garded Sitting Bull as the great
disturbing element in his tribe and now
that he was out Of the way he hoped
that settlement of the difficulties
could be reached without further blood
shed. The War Department is without
any information concerning the tight
ING at Sitting Bulls camp.
a reporter communicated the first in
formation that either General Schotield
or Secretary Proctor had concerning the
figh.. General Schofield was asked for
his opinion Of the effect on the other
Indians of the killing of Sitting Bull
but he was much disinclmed to discuss
the matter, saying that 1t was not
possible to predict the re-
suit. he INDUCED tho hop ex-
pressed by others that thus would hasten
the settlement of the Indian trouble.
He thought It would make moro