Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-30
SITTING BULL HAD
ONLY PRIDE LEFT
TO SURRENDER
STARVING INDIANS FORCED TO
ACCEPT RATIONS BY
SPUR OF HUNGER


intense, the little band of outlaw hos
tiles under the leadership of Sittint
Bull began to murmur. This condi
ton became intensified by the com
plants that were being made tina
nothing was being done to establish
the wandering band upon food-bearinl
land.
Hunger drove the coIorful and nigh.
ty painted chief to a decision. He
was going to give himself up together
with his worn out and struggling fol.
lowers that numbered about 200 souls
Sitting Bull had been diplomatic in
his representations to both the au-
thorities in the Dominion of Canada
and the military authority stationed
at Fort Keogh, near Miles City. His
surrender was to hinge on the best
terms possible that he could secure.
Would Not Surrender
Early In November, 1880, Sitting Bull
had returned from his exile In south
ern Canada. Scott EvartS and Lieu
tenant Clark had been sent up north
to interview him with reference to his
coming in and giving himself and his
band up. Upon their return to Fort
Keogh, Lieutenant Clark reported that
he was unable to negotiate any terms
of surrender. Sitting Bull, said that
military officer, displayed hostility to
the whites approaching his camp and
positively refused to surrender on the
American side Of the line. He had Just
come down from the north where he
had been given rations by the Cana
dian mounted police headquarters, and
felt that he could make a better bar
gain.
1t was February Of 1881 that Major
Guido ngeS. who had defeated Chief
Gall on Poplar creek and had sent
him with his band to Fort Buford, |
went in pursuit Of the willy medicine |
man Of the Sioux His retreat again |
across the line prevented any contact. |
The major returned to Fort Buford |
and thence to Fort Keogh where he |
made his report
Sitting Bull saw no Improvement in
he condition of himself and his fol-
overs, who remained loyal to him, and
became dissatisfied with the method
If dispensing rations to him. When
he SHOWS of winter had given way to
he warmer days Of spring, he felt the
lrge to depart and again found him
;elf south of the dominion line. 1t
vas remarked in Qu' Appelle, in early
July, that Sitting Bull and his camp
lad been gone from there for some
lime. His camp had been reduced to
1 very weak fighting power. His band
vas composed largely of old men.
Safe On Canadian Soil
AT least there was safety and pro-
ection for Sitting Bull on the Cana
iian side of the line. He realized this
act His appraisal Of the battling
strength of his followers brought him
10 encouragement 1t was said Of him
It this time that since the departure
and subsequent surrender) of the Exit
FOX" band Of braves under Low Dog,
he Sioux camp had not been in po-
ition to do any mischief, and the
eason the Sitting Bull camp left for
he safety zone across the line was no
loubt due to the fact that they were
mortality afraid of the Blackfeet, Crow,
Assinniboine and Cree war parties. (
These bands, though small in number,
nd not considered to be formidable, ,
we're at large. The negotiation for !
heir surrender was no easy matter,
however, and required a great deal of ;
ine and trouble. Major Crozier,
moving that to strip the camp of {
heSe (Which also included Sitting !
Bulls soldiers) would at least break !
heir power for any mischief He kept [
at them and at last had the {
leasure of starting them for Fort Bu- {
Rysr VIII 49,.
cred to the United States authorities.
Sitting Bull and his followers were
afe in Canada. 1t was probable, 1t j..
1as stated during the late spring OF
881, that the chief medicine man 4
1ould go to Battleford with the in = .
ention Of interviewing the lieutenant
1t was said at the time that
e had in mind the making of rep =
esentations wherein he would be sat-
SIZED If he could secure a reserve for
imsef and his people. He remarked: :
Some of my people we're there last !.
ummer and we were well treated and :
have a good idea to go myself"
The mounted police authorities of ,
'anada were not particularly i'm ,
reSSed by the presence of Sitting Bull
VI III VI tlAC 44lAC. lIuc, GllSy gave MN =
ations for his people, but this was
OF satisfactory. His contacts with the !
Sioux, a matter that the 5
canadian authorities had considered 4
t one time, did not appear to suit :
he American chieftain. He wanted
lore than association; his ambition =
as return to the power and glory =
e once had enjoyed. The Canadian
ioux were satisfied with their sur .
and environment and when I
lffalo were not to be procured, they =
,uld depend upon the bounty Of the =
,vernment. They were satisfied. This
'rt Of existence did not appeal to @
tting Bull, and when the months of o
ay and June brought propitious 3
Gather conditions for travel, and the o.
g game moved south to feed In the n
issouri river valley and the plains n
the south Of that stream, Sitting 81
Ill took his leave and again crossed q
'er from southern Canada.
Wild Game Scarce u