The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-02-26
GENERAL SIBLEY.
Tribute from His Friend Gen. n. w.
Johnson.

Johnson.
The St. Paul Dispatch publishes the fol
lowing tribute to the life of Gen. ST bley
from the pen of his friend and compa Mon
of many years:
Having been requested to write some
thing about my friend. the late Gen. II. III.
Sibley, let me say that his public life has
been fully set fOrtl: in the many able arti-
Giles which have appeared in the city papers,
and all that remains to be said is IN relation
to his private life
Our wives were sisters and was mar
ried at his house in 1850. Since that time
we have been more than brothers in law:
we have been brothers. indeed. During all
these long years there never was time
when the slightest misunderstanding ex-
listed between uS-never time when he
would not have Inconvenience himself to
accommodate or Oblige me. Our families
have always been like one; our thoughts
have been the same; our feelings have been
alike. He was steadfast friend, warm in
his attachments, pure in his thoughts and
noble in his nature. Until death removed
his wife, in his family relations he was
most happy. He idolized her, has always
been devoted to his children and gratitied
every reasonable desire on their part. He
leaves behind him four children. Mrs. Gus
sic Pope. Mrs. Sailie Young, Fred G.. and
Alfred B. Sibley. and to these he has be-
queathed rich legacy in an honOred name
without spot or blemish. May they cherish,
preserve and transmit it.
For many years he resided at Mendoza
and his hOspitable home was thrOnged with
visitors from abroad, who sought him for in
formation in regard to the country and for
such advice as they might require. There
were few. if any. better read men in the
state. His private library, one of the
largest in the city, is made out of choice
books on almost every subject of science.
philosophy and letters. These have been
carefully perused and their contents we're
stored away in his memory, to be called up
when occasion required. He had fond
ness for literary work. and. during his long
and eventful life has made many valuable
contributions to the various papers and
magazines of the country. He was fond of
hunting and in the habit of taking every
spring and autumn trips to the game region
until his failing sight began to show itself
in the uncertainty of his aim. I have often
heard him refer to the result of three years,
duck shooting, during which time he killed
1, 798, or within two of an average of 600
year. During my long and intimate asso-
citation with him | never heard him speak
unklndly OF any one, and do not believe
that he cherished an unfriendly feeling for
any one in the world. 1t may be safely af-
firmed that he did not have All enemy on
the face of the earth.
For more than half century he went in
and out before this people with malice
towards none and with charity for all.
Henry H. Sibley was generous man.
The extent of his benefactions no one knew.
but no poor man or woman ever appealed to
him for assistance and went away empty
handed. His donations were not confined
to the poor of this city alone, but as he was
alWayS'a central figure in business and So
cal circles, appeals came to him not only
from all parts of the state. but from almost
every state in the Union. He was a Chris
tian man. During my acquaintance with.
him of more than forty years l never knew
him to utter or do anything that would bring
discredit upon true follower of our Lord.
A short time since he united with St. Pauls
Episcopal church, partook of the commun-
ion. and in his last rational moments gave
unmistakable evidences of his acceptance
and entire resignation. About two years
ago he said to me. my machinery is fast
running down and feel that shall not be
with you long," l said to him that his
father was "a and his mother 80 at their
deaths and that he might reasonably expect
to live until he was 80, the mean between
their ages. and even many years beyond.
NO." said he. IL shall be called away be-
fore | am so. and l fear much sooner"
Had he lived forty eight hours longer he
would reached his SOth birthday.
In the death of Henry II. Sibley society
has lost gentleman by nature. polished in
manners, liberal without OStentation, warm
hearted and true; the poor, whom we al
ways have among us are bereft of friend.
indeed: his family of devoted. kind and
affectiOnate father; the City of st. Paul of
a good man. whose name will be hOnOred
and revered by those who survive him. and
the writer hereof one of his warmest and
best friends.
AS the news of his death spreads through
out the land thousands will say, as David
said of the death of Abner, know We not
that there is prince and great man fallen
this day in Israel" For if nature ever
made prince with a mind and heart en-
dOwed with all the elements of noble, large
hearted, elf-forgetting generosity that man
was Henry Hastings Sibley.