The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-11
RED CLOUD IS
PASSING, AWAY
Greatest Of Indian Fighters Is
Helpless In His Tent
ONE RICH, NOW PeNNILtSS
Last Of the Famous Indian Ghlsftalns Is
About to Pass 10 the Happy
Hunting Grounds.
ONE RICH, NOW ptANIltSs

Pine Ridge. Indian Agency. So. OAK
Aug u.-Old. decrepit, blind and penni-
less. Red Cloud. chief OF the Sioux. lies
dying in his little tent at his home, one
mile from this agency Formerly The
greatest OF all Indian chieftains, Red
Clouds glory has departed. and he lies,
q broken reed. dependent on charity al
most for his daily bread
White physicians have given up the
hope of saving the old sachems life, and
state that dissolution may come at any
hour. surely within few weeks at the
most. The medicine men still hold daily
''pow-wows" over their dying chief and
make good medicine in his behalf.
Red Cloud. like so many OF the ma
tons great men was born in obscurity.
and by sheer force OF will, bravery and
intelligence rose. step by step. TO be the
chief of the greatest, most warlike ana
most savage tribe Of American Indians.
In his 30 years war with the whites,
from ls46 TO 1876. Red Cloud became
known as the fiercest and boldest OF the
Sioux leaders. and IL was in those years
that he gradually worked his way for
ward until he was recognized as the big
chief OF all Sioux bands and tribes.
And the old man has been a diplomat
of rare ability also. and I'm councils md
meetings has ruled his people and gained
his points in a manner which many
white political bosses might well envy.
Never a forceful speaker. Red Cloud al
ways employed some hrsr class orator to
represent him In debate. and even on the
trips he has made 10 Washington in the
NJ ha Ind 2nI al
refrained from making set speeches. But
with his counsel he instructed his mouth
pieces just what to say and how 10
handle points under consideration. Ana
woe unto the man who failed him.
When Red Cloud fought the whites he
did so TO the best of his ability. De-
scendng like a whirlwind OF death on a
settlement. his band left a CORY path in
Its rear. But when he signed his first
peace paper he buried his tomahawk,
and 10 his credit IL can be said that that
peace was never broken. Since that time
he has lived within the terms OF the con-
tract. and for 23 years has lived at this
tPine Rfdge) agency. pensioner OF the
and has done much to hold
the other Indians in check during ex-
citable times.
Although at one time lord OF all Kan
sas. Nebraska Dakota and parts OF
Iowa, Minnesota. Wyoming and Montana.
old Red Cloud is today penniless. When
the Indians were placed on the Dakota
Red Cloud was given a small
body OF land Immediately adjoining tfH
agency in order that he might be near
10 assist the government agents in pre-.
serving order Gradually this little body
OF land has been sold to the government.
until today IL contains about 10 acres OF
land under no cultivation whatever.
Three months ago. becoming convinced
that death was near. the old chief called
his children around him and divided all
his property including 5000 in cash which
the government had just paid him on a
claim for horses. But he has fingered
longer than he thought
Two weeks ago. while still able TO talk,
Red Clouds mind went back TO the days
when he was young man. more than
half century ago. and the old man told
several OF the young men Of the most
the one which gained for him his first
title OF "chief" IL was a tale OF one
man against seven. and the seven were
all killed. A well-known warrior was
Fix OF his followers waylaid the young
man Two rifles and FIVE bows and ar
rows were the armament OF the ambush
er. Red Cloud was armed with a Win
chester. Red Cloud fell al the first fire
with bullet in the thigh but from his
place In the tall grass succeeded in killing
all Of his assailants.
Soon followers gathered around him.
and wars broke out with the whites
Red Clouds following increased He
Joined the various secret orders; passed
through the fearful agony and torture OF
the sun dance-a ceremony which re-
quires more fortitude than any other in
itiation the world has ever known: and.
when. in 1896. the other chiefs signed a
peace paper" cedinr valuable lands %
the whites. Red Cloud refused to make
peace. but instead declared war. Imme-
diately the hghting men of the tribes
locked 10 HIS standard leaving the
hereditary chiefs without followers Then
,ame the Fort Phil Kearny massacre. In
which the Indians were led by Red Cloud,
Who displayed the greatest bravery and
'ecklessness. the battle ending I'm the ex-
ermination OF the soldiers. Then Il was
hat Red Cloud was proclaimed chief OF
III the Sioux tribes. which position he
has held for nearly 10 years.
As Red Cloud grew old he became
childish. and returned 10 many habits Of
Early childhood. DESERVING the little old
house which was erected for him by the /
government. he now lives I'm tent in /
one corner OF hts yard With him lives 4
MS aged wife. Mary Red Cloud and /
among those who know IL Is said that \
: ne is the real ruler OF the Sioux: that
her word Is law with the old man. whom
sne rules with a rod of iron
Win the passing of Red Cloud will
disappear the last ~ the great Indian
cnie'tains. whose names are written on
eVery page or the history OF the West