The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-19
GOSSIP OF THE DAY.

"Gen. Heniy Hastings Sibley was the
most conscientious and patriotic democrat
that ever adorned any country" said Col
William i. Wheeler, of this city. 81 knew
him very well. first became acquainted
with him in 1851. when he WAS elected as
the first governor Of Minnesota just before
its admission into the union. He took his
office in May, 1893, succeeding Sam MeGary,
the old territorial governor. ! WAS his pri-
yate secretary for two years, and also held
the Office Of state Librarian under him. He
Was tho first and only delegate the territory
of Michigan had in congress. II he had
been a member of the republican party he
would have been a senator at Washington
from the state of Michigan long
ago. The general was held in high
esteem by all the people of
that state. In all the progressive move
ments of st. Paul and Minnesota he has
figured ~ a leader. He lacked two days Of
beipg 81 years old at the time of his death,
being born Feb. 70, 1911. in the city Of De
troit. His son, Alfred Brush, some years
ago married "A niece Of Col. HrOadwater.
Miss Anna hompson. who has often visited
Montana and is well known here. Matt
Carroll, Of Helena, was with the general in
the old American Fur company. organized
by John Jacob Astof, and OF which EibIey
afterwards secured the control.
Col. Wheeler turned to the work written
by Nathaniel West Of lei sibley. Here
ii the story Of his life" Tic wa the first
judicial officer and SOLO iawgiyer over q do
main as extensive as the republic OF
france, and where to-day stand the great
states Of Iowa, Minnesota and the two
Dakotag, t%hronged with millions Of
an industrious population, cultured
and rich, shielded by laws their wisdom has
framed, and crowned with institutions
their liberality has reared. lie was first az
foreman Of tho first grand jury ever impan-
eIed west of the Mississippi, in what il
now known az Minnesota, interpreting to L
French jury tho charge of n Saxon Judge.
He was the first delegate from Wisconsin
territory, after Wisconsin WAS admitted Oh
a state with diminished boundaries, gam
ing by dint Of sheer superiority hiS seat in
congress, and, after powerful opposition.
securing the passage Of a bill organizing
the territory Of Minnesota. He WAS the
first delegate from the territory of Mime
gotta thus organized, and reelected by the
overwhelming voice Of tie people. He waf
first as president of the democratic branch
of the convention met in troubious times to
form the state constitution, its guiding
genins and its counselor. As the first gov,
ernor Of Minnesota. hs sss
tho stalxart champion Of her
honor and credit during the long struggle
in which both were sought by reckless
politicians 10 be destroyed. He VIA frat
az q state military officer. appointed by the
governor, with the powersof a general com
manding the state troOps, IN the fatefnI
hour Of the Sioux massacre of 1862, when
the blood Of nearly a Thousand llyee C. led
for vengeance, and the homes Of Minnie.
sofas first settlers lay smouldering in theii
fires. During the civil war he was first ap
pointed by the president 20 command tn,
military district Of Minnesota. lie wa,
frat in the second Joint military expedition
against the Sioux in 1865. defeating then
in three successive battles. lie vss tn,