The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-24
MILES IN MONTANA.
How the Capture of Sitting Bull Was
Made Under His Orders.

How the Capture of Sitting Bull Was
Made Under His Orders.
Great Falls, April 23.-Thirty years ago
General Nelson A. Miles was probably far
better known in the West, from the Mex
ican to the Canadian border. than he was
in the East In spite of the gorgeous uni
form episode, his reputation as a brave
and sagacious Indian fighter never waned
here and since his championship of the
buck soldier against the embalmed beef
trust the old-timers are more firmly than
ever convinced of the accuracy of their
first estimate of his character Northern
Montana had occasion to become ac-
quainted with it some 80 years ago, when
Sitting Bull fled through this country on
to Canadian soil, and again when the
Gros VentreS completed their famous raid
with flight into the Cypress Aills.
The first incident is recalled by visit
to Northern Montana this week of Louis
A. LaGarry, the man who personally
captured Sitting Bull and turned him over
to the United States authorities at Fort
Buford. This gentleman spent a few
days at Glasgow and the Gazette contains
the following account of the man and
the thrilling event:
"Mr. LaGarry lives at Willow Bunch, in
the Northwest Territory, a distance of 50
miles due north of Glasgow. where he
owns and operates large ranch, besides
large general meTCHdnQlSo
store. He is of French descent and has
been in the West since 1862, when he was
post trader on the Fort Buford military
reserve. Subsequently, in the fall of 1870
he moved to his present location and has
been there ever since.
AFTER the Custer massacre and the few
skrmishes that followed Sitting Bull and
a few followers drifted across the Cana
dian border and entrenched himself near
tJo ot,,c ,l,ara
time he stood off his enemies and baffle1
the efforts of both this government and
the Canadian officials to capture him.
General Miles was then encamped on the
Milk river and detachments of cavalry
sent out by him to land the great warrior
proved futile. The men sent out had very
little knowledge of the country they were
traversng and knew little or nothing of
Indian warfare. The authorities at Wash
ington finally decided to offer a reward of
$50, 600 for the great Sioux warrior. La
Garry was then a penniless~ man, having
lost all trading in buffalo hides, which
had suddenly taken a urop from S. to
81 so because of an order issued by Cen
eral Miles ordering an indiScriminate
Strengthening of these animals. With sew
eral trusty hired companions he set out
for the chiefs rendezvous, determined to
bring him in or die in the attempt. After
three months of untold hardships and pri-
walton the old medicine mans tepee was
discovered on a dark and stormy night
All night long they lay in wait preferring
daylight to take their prisoner The next
day the capture was successfully effected
and a week later Sitting Bull was sur
rendered to the United States government
at Fort Buford. LaGarry received the
stipulated reward. but came out very lit
tie ahead on the transaction. owing to
the heavy expenses under which he had
been for months. The Canadian govern
ment reimbursed LaGarry with large
tracts of land"