SITTING BULL.
SITTING BULL.
Though nearly a score of years have gone by since the battle of the Little Big Horn, where the gallant Custer and his brave band were slain, the name of Sitting Bull is recalled by all; and a sigh of relief went up all along the border when the news came that the noted chief had started upon the trail for the happy hunting-grounds.
Those who condemn the Indian for his red deeds should remember that it is his education to be a savage, to kill and to burn and pillage; that the greatest slayer of mankind, in the opinion of the red men, is the greatest hero.
Thus, considering that the Indian has his story to tell as well as the white man, the mantle of charity should be drawn over their deeds.
Sitting Bull was not a chief in the true sense of the word, but was the Moses of his people.
He had unlimited influence with his tribe, and among other tribes as well; and, a mighty medicine-man, he claimed as well to be a prophet.
The career of Sitting Bull was eventful and remarkable.
He was a leader and schemer, and when Generals Terry, Crook, and Gibbon were sent to capture him he showed great generalship in all that he did.
He checked the advance of General Crook, slaughtered Custer, and escaped into Canada, where he and his people were safe.
In 1877 a part of Sitting Bull’s tribe surrendered to General Miles, who pressed them so hard they could not escape into Canada.
In 1880 others of the tribe surrendered to General Miles at Fort Keogh, and later Sitting Bull and others surrendered to keep from starving. They were transferred to Standing Rock Agency.
Sitting Bull received tempting offers to go East on exhibition, but refused all except one from Buffalo Bill—whom he knew as a deadly foe in warfare and a good friend in times of peace—and so went with some of his people to join the Wild West, with which he remained for a year.
The killing of Sitting Bull is still fresh in the minds of the people, and his taking off has been condemned by many.
At the time of his death Buffalo Bill, Surgeon Frank Powell, Pony Bob Haslam, and others were on their way to his camp to demand his surrender. Had Buffalo Bill not been halted by the command of the President and had reached Sitting Bull’s camp, the great chief would not have been slain; and probably Cody’s influence would have been strong enough to have changed to a more peaceful settlement the emeute that culminated in Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge.