The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-12-25
DEATH OF SITTING BULL.
The Official Account OF the Killing or the Great
Medicine Nan.

Medicine Nan.
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs Morgan has
received a report from Indian Agent Nc
Laughlin, which is dated at Fort Yates, Stand
ing Rock Agency, s. D., Dee. is, Of the fight
between the Indian police and the followers Of
Sitting Bull on Dec. Is. Agent Mclaughlin,
in this report says that the troops left Fort
Yates about midnight on the nth for Grand
River, and that his Indian police, then stationed
at Grand River or en- route. were instructed %
arrest Sitting Bull when the troops arrived
sufficiently near 10 afford the police protection
in case of resistance to the arrest of Sitting
Bulls band. The report continues: At day
bread on Monday morning, the 18th, the police
went TO Sitting Bulls camp direct to his house,
aud surrounded the house. A detail was sent
into the house where Sitting Bull was sleeping
on the floor, the remainder staying outside.
They aroused him and announced their puT-
pose, at the same time raising him to a sitting
position and he at first seemed inclined to offer
no resistance, and they allowed him 20 dress
during which time he changed his mind and
they took him forcibly from the house. By
this time the police were surrounded by
Sitting Bulls followers, members Of tho
ghost dance, and the first shot was fired by
Catch-thc- Bear" one Of tho hostilcs, aud
the Lieutenant of police, Bull Head, was
struck, the fighting then became general I;
IN fact, il was a hand To hand fight. Sitting
Bull was killed, shot through the body and
. head in the early part Of the fight by Bull
Head and Red T0mahawk, each Of whom shot
az him. Four policemen were killed outright
and three wounded one Of the latter dying at
| the agency hospital this morning after his re-
moval there. Bull Head, the Lieutenant OF
| police, is dangerously wounded, but may re-
cover. Tho hustiies lost eight killed and sew
/ eral wounded, and were driven from the field
I by the police. They fled mp Grand River, leav-
/ ing their wives and families and all their prop
/ erty aud dead behind them. Two troops Of
| United States cavalry 100 mem arrived on the
+ ground Immediately after the fight, which bad
occupied less than half an hour, and took pos
/ session of the camp, its inhabitants, property
and dead.
The report then goes on TO say that the In
I dian policemen who had been killed while ar
resting Sitting Bull would be buried with mill
i taTy hOuOrs, and also that the remains Of Sit
\ ting Bull were in the possession Of the military
authorities at Fort Yates.
/ The casualties Of the eight were as follows
/ Police forcc-Bull Head, in command, danger
ousy wounded -four wounds Shave Head
| First Sergeant, mortaiIy wounded, since dead
Little Eagle, Fourth Sergeant, killed; Middle
private. painfully wounded; Afraid Of Soldier
private, killed John Armstrong, special pO-
| lice, killed. HGsties killed Outright Sitting
Bull, Black Bird, Catch the Bear, Little ASSN.
I abOine and Crow Foot Sitting Bulls son, Il
4 years Olul. ne above are ueSl3ualtu a1 very
had men. Spotted Horn Bill, chief; Brave
! Thunder, chief, and Chase, wounded. sew,
eIal were badly wounded, but were carried of
by their friends
Agent Mclaughlin speaks in very high
/ terms Of the judgment and bravery OF the In
dian police, and be strongly recommends thai
| the Government give them some substantial
| reward for their services, and he urges that
| generous allowance be made 10 the families o.
. those who were killed. He asks The cO-OPera
ton OF the Interior aud War Departments in
securing prompt Congressional action which
. will secure 10 these brave survivors and TO the
families Of the dead full and generous re-
. ward"
Beside the Indian police, there were four vol
unteeTs, Gray Eagle who Is one Of the judges
Of the Court Of Indian Ohenses Spotted ThuH
der Otter Robe, and Young Eagle, who partici
pated IA the fight, aud rendered good service
/ and who are also deserving OF like TeCogni
tiOn. Gray Eagles twO sisters are the wives o
Sitting Ball, aud until abou: year aud a hal
age hG was Sitting Bulls main support. The
agent says that large majority Of the Indians
~ Standing Rock Agency, are loyal To the Gov
. eminent, and they express universal sati,lac
tion at the death Of Sitting Bull, as it ends the
ghost craze there. Mr.. Mclaughlin thin X
shat the death Of Sitting Bull will result II
much good by ending his evil influence and ht
/ expresses qualification over the loyalty Of th'
Indian police 20 the Government. Sitting Bul
was arrested upon orders received by telegraph
from the Commanding Officer OF tie Military
Division Of .be Missouri.