Native Brule Sioux Chief. His name was Sinte Gleska which means "Spotted Tail." He was among the Sioux chiefs of the transition period. His appointment to chief was not hereditary but based on his ability and honesty. He distinguished himself in battles against the Pawnee, periodically hit wagon trains and led the battle of Julesburg on the Platte River against the whites in retaliation for the raid on Black Kettle's Camp in 1865. When he and two other Indians were accused of murder they walked into Fort Laramie and gave themselves up. While in prison till released, he learned to read and write English. In 1870 he went with Red Cloud to Washington and from then on he became a great Indian statesmen. In 1874 he was involved in the negotiation of the mineral rights of the Black Hills and in 1875 arranged a peaceful surrender for Crazy Horse who was married to his sister. When Red Cloud had fallen out of favor he became chief of the Brule and Oglala tribes. This brought on hostile feuds among the tribes in which Spotted Tail was accused of advances toward another member’s wife. He was ambushed and shot returning home with his wife from delivering a load of wood. Historians insist that he was killed as a political plot to unseat him as Brule chief.
Native Brule Sioux Chief. His name was Sinte Gleska which means "Spotted Tail." He was among the Sioux chiefs of the transition period. His appointment to chief was not hereditary but based on his ability and honesty. He distinguished himself in battles against the Pawnee, periodically hit wagon trains and led the battle of Julesburg on the Platte River against the whites in retaliation for the raid on Black Kettle's Camp in 1865. When he and two other Indians were accused of murder they walked into Fort Laramie and gave themselves up. While in prison till released, he learned to read and write English. In 1870 he went with Red Cloud to Washington and from then on he became a great Indian statesmen. In 1874 he was involved in the negotiation of the mineral rights of the Black Hills and in 1875 arranged a peaceful surrender for Crazy Horse who was married to his sister. When Red Cloud had fallen out of favor he became chief of the Brule and Oglala tribes. This brought on hostile feuds among the tribes in which Spotted Tail was accused of advances toward another member’s wife. He was ambushed and shot returning home with his wife from delivering a load of wood. Historians insist that he was killed as a political plot to unseat him as Brule chief.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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