The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-19
GENERAL H. II. sIBLEY DH
Indian Fighter, Legislator and First Gov
ernOf Of Minnesota.

ernOf OF M1nnesOta.
ST. PAUL, Feb. 1s-General siblcy died At his
home In this city today.
Henry Hastings sibley was born in Detroit.
cation, and began the study OF law, but
abandoned it to engage in mercantile business
at sault sainte Marie, and soon afterwsrd
Company. In 1884, during one OF his trips. he
reached the mouth of the Minnesota river and
was SO delighted with the spot that he made it
the state Of Minnesota. He devoted much Of
his time to the sports of the frontier, which he
Tines S' and ny, Fed and Farm, : over '
the nom de plume Of "Hal, Of Daco-
tab" When the state OF WISCONSIN
western boundary was fixed at the st. Croix
river, leaving an area of about 1900 square
miles on the east OF the Mississippi river includ-
ing some organized counties, without govern
ment. The acting governor of the territory is
sued proclamation providing for the election
OF delegate to represent this district in con-
1s47. After much delay and discussion, he was
admitted to his seat January Is, 1Si9, and Sc
cured the passage OF an act creating the territory
consin and a vast area west OF the Mississippi
He was elected a delegate to congress from Min
nesota in ls49, and reelected in 1851, when he
member Of the Democratic branch of the con-
venticn that in 1857 framed the state constitu-
ton tnaL was ddOpteQ Dy the people IN NOvem.
Der of the same year. The state was admitted to
the Union on May II, 1858, and he was
inaugurated as governor in the same
month. He opposed the loan OF
state credit to railroad companies, and when q
constitutional amendment was carried author
izing the issue Of bonds he refused to send them
out except on security OF trust deeds from the
companies giving a priority of lien upon all
their property. This ruling was negatived by
the decision of the supreme court, thus leaving
the way open for the issue OF an indefinite
amount OF first mortgage bonds and resulting in
the bankruptcy Of the companies and the repu-
diation of the bonds by the people of Minnesota.
When the great Sioux rising occurred on the
Iowa and Minnesota frontier, 1856, he commanded
the white forces composed of volunteer cit-
Zens. Notwithstanding the delay in procuring
arms and ammunition, only five weeks elapsed
before the decisive battle of Wood Lake. Sept.
2S, which broke the power of the savages. Their
capture followed two days later. He was COM
missioned brigadier general of volunteers, and
afterward breyeted major general He was APP
pointed member of the board OF Indian COM
missioners during Grants administration, and
in ISL WAS elected to the legislature, where,
during the ensuing session, he made vigorous
speech against the reputation of the state rail-
road bonds, being thus instrumental in restor-
ing the credit of Minnesota. He received the
degree OF LID. from Princeton in 1883. General
Sibley held the offices OF president of the Cham
Der OF Commerce of st. Paul, of the board of re-
gents OF the State university. end of the State
Historical society, to whose collections" he
made many contTibutions.j