American Historical Ephemera & Photography

4 1/4 x 6 1/8 in. silver gelatin copy photograph on cardstock mount (surface soiling, toning, some discoloration and wear to edges and corners of image and mount; verso with cardboard and adhesive residue/wear). Ink inscription written on image and mount, "Capt Red Tommey Halk [sic]. / Died chief of the Sioux / 1930." Verso bears pencil inscription reading, "Sergeant Red Tomahawk." 

In the wake of the Ghost Dance messianic movement, which swept the Sioux Reservations in late fall and early winter of 1890, James McLaughlin, the Indian Agent posted at Standing Rock Agency ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull, fearing that he would flee the reservation and incite an insurrection. Along with his commanding officer Lieutenant Bull Head, Sergeant Red Tomahawk was part of a 42 man party sent by McLaughlin to arrest the Hunkpapa Chief. When hostilities erupted and Bull Head was killed, Red Tomahawk assumed command, and fired the bullet that killed Sitting Bull.