Today in History: December 15

Maj Marty Hogan Thanks for the history lesson!

Thanks for sharing what happened on the Ides of December AKA December 15 in history Maj Marty Hogan

The killing of Sitting Bull was not a simple matter. There were power struggles within the tribal leadership going on, the local white population was concerned about the whole "Ghost Dance" craze, the military was looking to increase their power in the region, the local farmers and ranchers wanted more of the "reservation" lands and more.
The tribal police were sent out to bring Sitting Bull in to the reservation HQ. At first they told him it was just "to talk" and he prepared to go in peacefully. Then it was disclosed the authorities (military and Agent) intended to jail him. When he heard that, he changed his mind and said he would not go. Like any such happening, the next result is cloudy with history, but it appears, when Sitting Bull stepped back toward his house, Bull Head panicked and stuck him with his bayonet. This started a small battle. By some accounts, Sitting Bull was finally loaded on a wagon and probably died enroute to the Agency.
The Lakotas in our area still treat this as if it happened fairly recently.