The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-12-27
Mrs. Weldon Was Repeatedly Ordered
From the Reservation, But
Declared
Her Love For the Old Warrior,
With Whom She Wanted
to Live.
Sitting Bull Actually Shed Tears
When He and Mrs. WeldOn's
Son We're Separated.
A Lonely Grave.

When Sitting Bulls body was brought
in from Grand river it was taken to the
military hospital dissecting room, and it is
said the Indians at the agency-enemies OF
Sitting Bull, would have nothing to do
with it. The bodies of the Indian
police were buried with military honors,
while a box supposed to contain the re-
mains of the late MIR. Bull (Tatanka Yo-
tanke) was placed in a lonely grave in an
isolated spot away from the graves of
others who have heretofore gone to the
'happy hunting grounds"
Editor IIicklr, who is direct from Fort
Yates, says it is believed by many at the
fort and agency that the remains of Sit
ting Bull were rot in the box: that the box
was handled as il it was light and that a
guard was put around the grave just as a
blind-to thwart any suspicion. 1t is pos
sible that the body of Sitting Bull is to be
dissected in the interest Of medical science
and the skeleton placed in the national
wal museum. The utmost secrecy pre-
walls at Fort Yates regarding the move
ments of the military and Indian authori
ties on all matters relating to the Indians
and no one except the highest officials
know what is to be done until the time of
its doing.
There is also another theory advanced
regarding the burial Of Sitting Bull, and
that is that his body Was not buried where
generally supposed for fear that it might
be stolen. However, all these opinions
are only conjeetures.
In Sitting Bulls effects were found let
tiers and documents of all descriptions
from all over the country. Most Of them
were from people enclosing slips of paper
for his autograph, but he never responded
to these requests unless a fat monetary
consideration came with the letter. His
signature always commanded a dollar and
he found ready sale for it. All he could
write was his name and that in a painful
scrawl.
1t is said there were several commune
cations from Mrs. Weldon, the woman
who claimed she was sent out from Brook
lyn, N. Y, by an Indian society. She
came to the agency about a year ago, but
by creating an air of discomfort among
some of the Indians the authorities re-
peatedly ordered her off the reservation.
She finally said she loved Sitting Bull and
went to live with him on Grand river. She
was a remarkably fine looking wOman 80
years of age and had a pretty little son 10
years old with long, curly dark hair. In
dams say the couple lived together as nan
and wife, though there was no ceremony
performed. Whenever Sitting Bull wanted
a fresh partner lie selected the prettiest of
his flock, and his children are scattered
throughout the Sioux nation by the score.
He thought as much of Mrs. Weldon's
young son as he did of the woman herself,
and took great delight in putting the
youngster on one of his ponies and
riding with him on his own
charger in triumph to the agen-
cy on ration days. Mrs. Weldon
took her departure from Standing Rock
two months ago. Tears actually trickled
down the weather-beaten cheeks of the old
warrior as he parted with the little boy. 1t
was the firse time he ever exhibited any
0WOtlOus LILO UOy LAWu CAoAtuCu " W0Aus
spot in his cruel heart. Mrs. Weldon took
the steamer Chaske to Sioux City. When
she arrived at Pierre the boy was stricken
with lockjaw. The best medical aid was
summoned, but Of no avail, and he died.
Mrs. Weldon was grief-stricken, SIS was
also Sitting Bull on hearing the news, and
sought solitude for several days. Mrs.
Weldon is a well.educated and refined
woman. Her actions were a mystery.
She is an able writer and fluent converse
tionalist, and q streak of mild insanity or
crankism is the only eason assigned for
her strange conduct.
While in the east after the death OF her
son, she wrote a number Of letters to Sit
ting Bull foretelling the terrible tragedy
enacted the other day. She warned him
to be on the alert, telling him that the
military and jealous Indians who sided in
with the government were seeking q pre-
text to put him forever out of the way.
Letters from time to time were received to
this effect, beseeching him to flee for his
life. He paid but little attention until al