Inspired by the Standing Bear trial (see entry for APRIL 18, 1879), journalist Helen Hunt Jackson begins her career as an outspoken opponent of American Indian policy. Her book A Century of Dishonor chronicles the discrimination and injustices endured by Indians over the previous hundred years. Widely influential in intellectual circles, it represents one of the most vehement attacks any non-Indian has made upon the U. S. government for its mistreatment of Indian people. (See also entry for 1884.)
Sitting Bull and his followers surrender to the United States.
In the early months of the year, many members of Sitting Bull’s camp in Canada (see entry for OCTO BER 1876), faced with starvation, crossed the border and make their way to the Lakota’s reservations, where they can collect rations. A desperate Sitting Bull decided to follow suit and lead his diminishing band back to the United States.
Upon the arrival of Sitting Bull’s followers at Fort Buford in Dakota Territory, they endure the humiliation of surrendering their weapons and horses to U. S. troops. The Indians expect to be confined to a reservation, but the army, still wary of Sitting Bull, instead sends the Indians to Fort Randall, where they will be imprisoned for two years.
“A warrior I have been now
It is all over a hard time I have”
—a song composed by Sitting Bull after his surrender to U. S. authorities
Crow Dog kills Lakota Sioux leader.
During a heated dispute, a Lakota Sioux named Crow Dog shoots and kills his cousin Spotted Tail, an influential leader who had long sought peace by cooperating and negotiating with whites (see entry for JUNE 1866 and for APRIL TO AUGUST 1868). The tragic confrontation emerged from increasing tension between Spotted Tail and Crow Dog as Crow Dog began to challenge his friend’s political authority.
A tribal court finds Crow Dog guilty and, in keeping with Sioux tradition, orders the killer to make restitution to Spotted Tail’s family. The nonIndian press is outraged by the court’s decision and demands that Crow Dog be imprisoned. The controversy will result in the landmark Supreme Court case Ex parte Crow Dog (see entry for DE CEMBER 17, 1883).
Apache prophet Nakaidoklini is murdered.
Among the White Mountain Apache, a prophet named Nakaidoklini preached that he could communicate with dead Apache and bring deceased leaders back to life. Fearing his growing following, Colonel Eugene A. Carr arrests Nakaidoklini at his village on Cibicue Creek and imprisons him at Fort Apache. Apache swarm around the fort, and amidst their protest fighting breaks out. Nakaidoklini is shot and killed by a soldier. Soon soldiers from throughout the Southwest rush to the Apache’s San Carlos Reservation, responding to erroneous news reports that the Apache have massacred Carr and his troops.
Geronimo and his followers escape from San Carlos.
Alarmed by the increased military presence on the San Carlos Reservation (see entry for AUGUST 30, 1881), Apache leaders Geronimo, Juh, and Naiche and 74 followers flee to Mexico. There the runaways are reunited with the remnants of the Apache led by Victorio, who had escaped to Mexico five years earlier (see entry for SEPTEMBER 2, 1877).
World History
