Original Photograph Of "Sitting Bull's Log Cabin Morning Of The Fight"

GEORGE E.--U.S. ARMY PHOTOGRAPHER SPENCER

Publication: World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Chicago

Original Photograph of Sitting Bull's log cabin, where Sitting Bull was shot and killed December 15, 1890. Cabinet Card. Image: 5.5"x3.875". Mount: 6.5"x4.25". Photograph shows Sitting Bull's log cabin, with 6 men and three horse in front of, or beside the cabin. All are dressed in coats, with one man holding a rifle and another holing a pistol. All appear to be white men, and likely, soldiers or officers at Standing Rock Agency, Fort Randall, or Fort Yates. Printed across the blank top edge of the mount is the following: Sitting Bull's Log Cabin now on Exhibition at World's Fair, Chicago, 1893, owned by Sitting Bull Log Cabin Co., Mandan, North Dakota." Across the bottom blank edge of mount is "Geo. E. Spencer, U.S. Army Photo. Sitting Bull's Log Cabin Morning of the Fight. 7520 Ellis Ave., Chicago." Verso has scuffing to five 1" spots from past attachment, and previous owner's name and address. Printed along top edge is "World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. At bottom edge is printed "Agricultural Building." The Indian Agent for Standing Rock was James McLaughlin. With fears of Sitting Bull's intentions to join the rapidly growing Ghost Dance Craze, McLaughlin ordered the Indian Police to go to Sitting Bull's cabin at dawn of December 15, 1890, arrest him and return him to the agency. Following those order 39 Indian Police surrounded Sitting Bull's cabin at dawn, with 3 the 3 officers knocking on the door before entering the cabin. the awoke Sitting Bull and informed him of their plans for his arrest and taking him to the agency. Eventually taking him outside, in the interim many of Sitting Bull's supporters gathered to defend him. As the police attempted to force Sitting Bull to mount a horse, a supporter shot the head officer, Lt. Bull Head, who in turn shot Sitting Bull in the side of the chest. As gunfire broke out, 2nd Sgt. Red Tomahawk shot Sitting Bull in the back of the head. Within minutes Sitting Bull's supporters had killed or mortally wounded 6 of the police including 2 of the 3 officers. The Indian Police had killed Sitting Bull and 7 of his supporters. The police moved to the corral area for defense and awaited the arrival of the Army forces in order to safely return to the agency. As noted on the cabinet card, Sitting Bull's cabin was disassembled and then moved to the World's Fair Exhibition in Chicago in 1893. Image is clean and clear in near fine condition.