From The Pages of Standing Rock History

December, 15, 1890 will be forever memorable in the Annals of the history of Standing Rock Agency, as on that occasion, the noted Chief Sitting Bull with eight of his adherents and six policemen laid down their lives for their convictions. The formar fought for a very unworthy cause trying, by their action, to perpetuate heathenism and superstition in the highest degree, whereas the latter, in obedience to their lawful superiors, wished to defend civilization and Christianity. Sitting Bull and his followers, directly opposed constituted authority and defied the representatives of the government. From this statement it evidently follows that Sitting Bull was never the man as represented in the newspapers. It is true, he was a man of great physique, and naturally adapted to wield a certain influence among his fellowmen. His cunning and astuteness helped him wonderfully to gain his point as [ ] how to work upon the superstition and feelings of his people, and so when the Messiah craze came into existence, this was [a grand] opportunity for him to practice Indian Medicine and to show his race what a great man he was. Adopting the spirit of prophecy, he told his poor, benighting followers, that now the white race would become extinct and all the buffaloes and other herds of wild animals would return to their grazing grounds and be once more, their sustenance and former happy life.

This doctrine pleased a certain portion of the Indians of Standing Rock and thus enthusiastically became Sitting Bull's followers. There was no longer work to be done, only to follow the chase and all that their hearts desired would be theirs.

That a condition of things, as now followed, could not last, was evident. For by dancing, singing and feasting they could not sustain themselves, nor bring happiness to any one else.

Hence orders hd to be given on the part of the Indian Department at Washington as to the course to be pursued in the future, as in regards to Sitting Bull's conduct. Col. James McLaughlin, the then Agent, kept his men on the look out and as the opportune time came for Sitting Bull either to obey the orders or suffer the evil consequences of his disobedience, the inevitable followed. Sitting Bull refusing to comply with the orders of the government was shot by Red Tomahawk, the policeman, but not before he and his retinue had been sufficiently warned that no harm would come to them [ ] they believed the government. His death, and the eight men of his following, was entirely due to their stubborness.

How different were the lives of the six Indian policemen. All were manly characters, law abiding citizens, good Christians and honerable in all their ways.

No wonder, the military and civil authorities combined and gave the grandest funeral of a military nature to these faithful servants of the government.

Their memory is revered by everyone, who loves honor, justice and righteousness, and their grantie monument in St. Peter's cemetary, at Fort Yates, N.D. extols the bravery and loyalty of these nobile police of the Indian race, of the Sioux tribe.

Those who died are: Henry Bullhead, John Shavehead, Fear Him, Little Eagle, Broken Arm, and Hawkman.