A Daughter of the Sioux (1909)
It's a bleak October morning in the early sixties. It was a scene common enough then, and we owe much to the men who faced death daily in the line of duty that this great region might become a land of peace and plenty. The scene in question was the disarming of a warlike band of Sioux by a United States officer, Colonel David Webb. The warriors are drawn up near an Indian village. A Gatling gun is turned on the village. The Colonel has just ordered the corporal's guard to begin the work of disarmament. Two Lance refuses his weapon to the soldier who has readied for it. A scuffle ensues, the gun is accidentally discharged, wounding a trooper. In a moment all is mad excitement. The "Boys in Blue" have answered the bugle call. White Eagle and his band are rounded up, and he, with the rest, surrender. The Colonel's report reads: "There has been a sharp encounter, but your order to disarm the Indians has been executed." Naoma, the wife of Two Lance, has been struck by a bullet from the Gatling gun, and lies by the side of her husband's dead body; near them sit two children, a baby girl of three and a boy of six. The army surgeon is ministering to the wounded Indians, but an examination shows him that Naoma is past human help. The Colonel steps beside the squaw and is touched by her agony. Naoma reads the sympathetic look in his eyes; her dying thought is for her children and by signs she asks the Colonel to care for her little ones, soon to be left motherless. The Colonel is a bachelor and the appeal in the woman's eyes strikes a cord in his nature which responds. He adopts the children. Washington, D.C. fifteen years later. A reception is given by Colonel Webb and his officers to the Colonel's wards, who have graduated from the government school. They are back with Colonel Webb. Lorna is a beautiful Indian girl, as graceful as a fawn. Young Beverly Graham has fallen madly in love with this dark-skinned princess, and has asked permission of the Colonel to propose for her hand. Their courtship is interrupted by the arrival of a messenger from army headquarters with a message for the Colonel. It is an order for him to join his regiment and put down an uprising of the Sionx, led by no less a personage than "White Eagle." Lorna and Philip stand spellbound as they realize the purport of this message. They must accompany their adopted father while he goes to subdue, and perhaps destroy the people of their race, and Philip, who has enlisted, must fight against them. A few months later they are in the heart of the Indian country; the Sioux rebellion has become formidable. Colonel Webb decides to send for more troops, and in order to convince the General in command of the department, he bluntly states that his force is too weak to cope with the situation. "The Call of the Blood." Lorna steals a copy of this dispatch and Philip deserts. An Indian spy, captured a few days before, is released by Lorna, and instructed to join "White Eagle" and report the news of the fort's weakness. Beverly witnesses this act and is forced to arrest the woman he loves. She is brought before the Colonel. The defiant girl is locked up, escapes, and joins the band, and leads them herself to attack the weakened garrison. The Colonel's messenger gets back with help, however, and "White Eagle" is again defeated. The remnant of this war party, together with Lorna and Philip, are placed under guard and brought to the fort. Lorna pleads forgiveness from the Colonel, but he orders her into close confinement, awaiting trial for her defection. As Beverly steps forward to lead the misguided girl away. Philip, in a frenzy of hatred, jerks a revolver from the holster of a nearby officer, and turning, fires at Beverly. Lorna, has rend his intention, however, and by a quick turn, shields the officer and receives the bullet in her own breast. "It was for the life I loved; the law of the white man would never have looked with favor on our union. Beverly. There where dwells the great White Spirit we will be equal; there you can claim me as your own and then you won't be ashamed of the Daughter of the Sioux. Good-bye; forgive Philip, he is my brother."
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GenresShort
Western
IMDbPro
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| William Nicholas Selig | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Alvin Wyckoff |
