Morris tribune., 1891-02-25
ANOTHER GONE.
Gen. sibley, Minnesota's Defender in the
Sioux War of 1862, Is Dead.

Gen. sibley, Minnesota's Defender I'm the
Sioux War of 1862, Is Dead.
ST. PAUL, Feb. 19.-Gen. Sibley died
ut 4:30 a. m. The calm sleep which for
nearly sixty hours held him has quietly
surrendered him to its twin sister,
death; and SO softly the dead transition
came that the anxious watchers by his
bed scarce noted the change. Late at
night the slight symptoms, that only the
practiced eye of the physician could
trace, seemed more unfayorable. The
respiration was a shade more difficult,
and the already slow breaths came still
more slowly. The brilliant light of
great life was steadily being extin-
guished. At 1 o'clock the change was
still so slight as to bescarcely noticeable,
but after that hour it became more
marked and rapid until at 4:30 the crisis
came, and the greatest name in Mime
sofa passed into history.
Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley was of Puri-
tan stock. He was born in Detroit, Mich,
Feb. 20. He was the fourth son Of Chief
Justice Solomon Sibley, of Detroit, by
Sarah Whipple Sproat, only daughter of
Col Ebenezer Sproat, an accomplished
officer in the Continental army, and grand
daughter of Commodore Abraham Whip
pie OF the Continental navy, name re-
nowned in American history. His aNces-
try runs back, in direct line, to the days
of William the Conquer, and shines with
personages of high rank in the English as
we'll as American annals.
Having finished his curriculum of study
in Detroit, and refusing the law as q pro-
fession, he cut loose from the parental
roof to seek his fortunes, in his 18th year,
becoming, first, clerk at Sault Ste.
Marie, June, 1928, then again in the serv-
ice Of the Great American Fur Company,
1929, of which John Jacob Astor was presi-
dent, and next partner in the same COM
pany. Ee came to St. Peters (Mendota)
Nov. Z, 1884, as generel inspector of the
company, overseeing the whole Northwest,
and entered on his wonderful career, Civ
ing the first impulse of real value to all
commercial enterprises in what was then
q wilderness, inhabitated by saw
ages, on whose common hunting
ground now stand the proud cities of Min
Fort Smelling being the only signs OF any
existing civilization. By his championship
in the national congress the territory of
Minnesota was organized in 1919. He was
president of one of the two great divisions
into which the convention OF the people
parted when the state constitution was
formed, and was chosen first governor of
the state of Minnesota in 1857, the only
Democratic governor the state has ever
had In 1862 he led the main military ex-
pedition against the Sioux nation, caused
by the fearful massacre of the time, and,
in five severe engagements, defeated the
foe delivered 100 captiyes, drove the Sioux
across the Missouri river, and gave peace
and security to the homes Of Minnesota.
For his gallantry he was made general OF
the brigade, at the close OF his first cam
paign, and subsequently was, by President
Lincoln, brevetted major general United
States volunteers, "for distinguished serv-
ice in the Indian campaigns, and for devo
tion to his state and to his country" His
multiplied appointments, state and ma
tionaI, to offices and missions of great i'm
portance, his wide influence, the honors
that his merits attracted, his high social
and civil standing, his devotion to educa
tion and learning, are well known to al
the world. The state university suffers, in
this demise the loss of the president of hel
board of regents, and the Episcopal parish
of St. Paul one who long years has been 6
member of It's vestry.
TO give complete sketch of the life ot
Gen. Sibley would be to write the history
of Minnesota, so prominent and active has
been his connection with our history since
| the earliest days.