The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-12
TELL A DIFFERENT STORY.
The Sioux Chiefs Give Their Side or
the Wounded Knee
Battle.
They Characterize It as q Massa-
cree OF Women and
Children.
Alleged "FrisndIy SpIrlEv Of the Seventh
Cavalry The Conference Comes
to An End.

taIk Was the story Of the fight at Wounded
Knee. Turning Hawk said that at given
time, when tho men had delivered up their
guns, they were separated from their fam :
lilies gnd takon TO q certain spot. A crazy
man, young man Of very bad influence,
fred his gun, killing an officer. The other
Indians began drawing their knives, al
Though they were exhorted from all sides
TO desist, and firing began Immediately on
the part Of the soldiers. All the men who
were in the bunch were killed right there,
and those who escaped that first fire got in
to the rGvine and IN they went along the
ravine for long distance they were pur-
sned on al! sides by soldiers and shot down.
The women had no arms to
fight with. They were stand
ing of at different place
and when the firing began those of the men
who escaped the first volley went in one
direction up the ravine, and the women
went in a different direction through an
open field, but met the same fate rs the
men.
American Horse said that when firing be-
gan the people who were standing immedi-
ately around the young man who fired the
first shot were killed and then the soldiers
turned tteir guns on the women, who were
in the lodges, standing there under a flag
OF truce. OF course, as soon as thoy were
fired upon they fed. There was woman
with al infant in her arms killed az she
almost ctouched the flag Of true. Right
near TO the flag another was shot down.
Her child, not knowing it's mother was
dead, was still nursing, aud that was very
sad sight. The women, rs they were fleeing
with their babes on their backs, were killed
together, and women heavy with
child were also killed. After most
OF the Indians had been killed, the
cry was made that all those not
killed or wounded should come forth and
they would be safe. Little boys who were
not wounded came out OF places OF refuge,
and as ,k2on as they came in sight num-
ber, s@ol Iiers Surrounded ana butchered
them.
Commissioner Morgan said to the inter-
prefer: II wish you would say to him that
these are very serious charges to make
against the army. / do not want any
statements that are not absolutely true.
and want any one here who feels that
them"
American Horse replied: "Of course It
would have been all right if only the men
were killed, but the fact Of the killing of
women, and more especially of young boys
and girls who are to make the future
strength Of the Indian people. we feel very
seriously" 4o,r
Commissioner Morgan-"Does American
Horse know these things of his own per-
5onal knowledge or has he been told tbem?,
American Horse-'I was not there at any
time before the burial of the bodies, but I
did go there with some Indian police and
many people from the agency. and we went
through the battlefield and saw where the
bodies were from the track of blood"
Rev. Mr.. McCOok, Sioux half breed. |
pastor of the Episcopal church at Pine
Ridge, among other things. said: Much
mas been said about the good spirit with
which the members Of the Seventh cavalry |
desire to avenge Clusters death was entirely
absent from their minds. In coming to- |
wards Chicago In company with Gen. |
Miles, talked with his own scout. who |
was almost killed because he was com |
pelled to fly with the Indians, beng fired
upon by men whom no tried TO
sred from his fright and succeeded in get
ing amongst the soldiers after they all got
m from killing the Indians that All officer
'f high rank, he did not know who, came
% him and said: Now we have avenged
Justers DEATH and the scout said to him.
Yes, but you had every cause to fight for
,onr lives that day. These poor Indian
,eople did not have that opportunity TO
protect and fight for themselves. II this is
IN indication of the spirit OF a number Of
nen in that company, nm sure the Seventh
'avalry did not 90 there with tho kindest OF
motives, simply to bring these poor people
,ack."
After several others had spoken the COM
missioner declared the conference at an
nd.