Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull, circa 1883

Sitting Bull (Lakota: Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake in Standard Lakota orthography, also nicknamed Húŋkešni or “Slow”) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to United States government policies. He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation during an attempt to arrest him, at a time when authorities feared that he would join the Ghost Dance movement. Wikipedia

Learn more about Sitting Bull through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull reported as leader of group of Native Americans who attacked two mail carriers in 1868 Wed, Jun 17, 1868 – Page 2 · Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comSitting Bull resists railway survey on tribal lands in 1871 Mon, Sep 25, 1871 – Page 2 · The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York) · Newspapers.comTensions between Sitting Bull and U.S. government over Northern Pacific Railway in 1872 Sat, Jun 22, 1872 – Page 1 · The New North-West (Deer Lodge, Montana) · Newspapers.comFalse report of Sitting Bull's death in 1873 Sat, Feb 22, 1873 – 2 · The Pioche Record (Pioche, Nevada) · Newspapers.comGenerals Crook and Custer are dispatched to operate against Sitting Bull in 1876 Wed, Mar 1, 1876 – 7 · New York Daily Herald (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comEditorial argues death of General Custer will result in "strengthening the forces of Sitting Bull" Tue, Jul 11, 1876 – 1 · Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) · Newspapers.com"Sitting Bull: Who He Is and What Kind of Force He Commands" (written 1876 after Custer's death) Sun, Jul 9, 1876 – Page 1 · The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) · Newspapers.comDescription of drawings in Sitting Bull's autobiography Sat, Jul 29, 1876 – Page 1 · The Oskaloosa Independent (Oskaloosa, Kansas) · Newspapers.comU.S. commissioners meet with Sitting Bull in 1877 but fail to agree to terms Thu, Nov 1, 1877 – Page 4 · Mexico Weekly Ledger (Mexico, Missouri) · Newspapers.comAccount of Sitting Bull's surrender in 1881; says he surrendered because his people were starving Wed, Aug 3, 1881 – Page 2 · Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Newspapers.comInterview with Sitting Bull in 1881 Wed, Sep 7, 1881 – Page 1 · The Petaluma Courier (Petaluma, California) · Newspapers.comSitting Bull joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885 Thu, Sep 10, 1885 – Page 3 · The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comLetter from U.S. Indian Agent James McLaughlin about Sitting Bull and Ghost Dances in 1890 Tue, Oct 28, 1890 – Page 1 · Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) · Newspapers.comLetter from Sitting Bull to Maj. James McLaughlin, and photo of cabin where Sitting Bull was killed Thu, Dec 11, 1975 – 10 · The Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, North Dakota) · Newspapers.comDetails of the killing of Sitting Bull by police in December 1890 Thu, Dec 18, 1890 – 2 · Winfeild Telegram (Winfield, Kansas) · Newspapers.comAlleged "true story" of Sitting Bull's death in 1890 Thu, Dec 18, 1890 – 2 · Winfeild Telegram (Winfield, Kansas) · Newspapers.comNews of Sitting Bull's death sent by bonfire signals Fri, Mar 18, 1898 – 3 · Lewisburg Journal (Lewisburg, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comMarker to be erected at Sitting Bull's death site in 1958 Sun, Oct 5, 1958 – Page 48 · Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) · Newspapers.comSitting Bull "still controversial 85 years after death" Thu, Dec 11, 1975 – 10 · The Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, North Dakota) · Newspapers.com