Lot #8091

[Sitting Bull] Edmond Gustave Fechét (2) Autograph Letters Signed: "The dead facts are that [Sitting] Bull was killed a few minutes before I came up, in fair fight between 40 policemen & 120 of Bulls braves"

Description

"The dead facts are that [Sitting] Bull was killed a few minutes before I came up, in fair fight between 40 policemen & 120 of Bulls braves"

Officer in the 8th U.S. Cavalry (1844–1910) known for his involvement in the events surrounding the capture and death of Sitting Bull on December 15, 1890. He commanded a detachment of cavalry supporting Indian police during the attempted arrest of the Lakota leader, which ultimately led to Sitting Bull’s death and heightened tensions before the Wounded Knee Massacre. Two ALSs signed "E. G. Fechet," totaling five pages on four sheets, 8 x 105, Fort Yates, North Dakota, December 30, 1890 and January 31, 1891, replying to a collector seeking a relic of the late Hunkpapa Lakota warrior Sitting Bull. In addition to responding to the collector's inquiry, Fechet offers an outstanding account of the fight that ended Sitting Bull's life, offering a defense of his own actions.

The first, in part: "I have nothing of my own to send you. I was too busy when I drove off Sitting Bulls followers from where they had the Indian police penned up, to secure any trophies myself. After the fight was over, some of the police brought me as a present a beautiful buffalo robe, embroidered with porcupine quills which they gave me as a present as it had been the finest Sitting Bull had. I start out with the Cavalry at day light to try and capture the rest of Sitting Bull's band, when I come in again I will see if I cannot get hold of something for you."

The second, in part: "I enclose you something of Sitting Bulls, not much to be sure but still something. In fact all authentic relics of the old chieftan have disappeared, or are held at very high prices by the possessors. After the fight was over around Bull's house both my position and duties gave me no opportunity to get hold of anything. As I told you of the robe it was given me by the Indian police I suppose as a sort of offering…So with the rattle or time keeper which Bull used in the Ghost dance to keep time with the drum. This was found by the Indian police some days later and brought to me in the same way. The buckskin string wound with colored porcupine work and a bit of green ribbon are cut from the sort of tassel ornamenting the handle or want running through the center of the box which holds the pebbles making the noise…

I can tell you that all the letters I get are not so pleasant as yours. Some, one especially accuse me of treacherously murdering Bull after he was my prisoner, another of having killed two boys, relatives of Bulls after finding them concealed under a bed on which Bull's wives were sitting. The dead facts are that Bull was killed a few minutes before I came up, in fair fight between 40 policemen & 120 of Bulls braves, Bulls people commencing the fight by shooting down Bull Head one of the leaders of the police and who was immediately guarding Old Bull…I did find two of Bull's nephews, 18 and 20 years old, concealed by Bull's wives, but instead of killing them, took them under my protection and brought them into the Agency, where they are now alive & kicking." In overall fine condition, with a split fold to the earlier letter, and some minor soiling.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Old West, Outlaws, Lawmen, and Gangsters
• Dates: #720 - Ended 05/22/2025