The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-19
BISHOP WHIPPLE.
Apostle to the Indians" Was Bishop
of Minnesota Since 1859.

of Minnesota Since 1859.
Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple of
Minnesota, whose death at Faribault
on Sept. 16 was reported in the dis
patches, was born in Adams, Jeffer-
son county, New York, on Feb. IS.
1922 He prepared for college, but on
account of feeble health he turned his
attention to mercantile pursuits and
Tor several years took an active inter-
est in politics. At the age of 10 years
he entered Prof. Avery's boarding
school in Clinton. N. Y. Subsequently
he studied under the Rev. DR.. Boyd
and the Rev. John Covert. He then
went to Oberlin and it was while at
this institution that he was obliged
to relinquish his studies because of
his weak health. AS a partner he
Joined his father in business and while
thus occupied in secular pursuits he
also devoted himself actively to poll
tics. The first public office which he
held was that of division inspector
with the rank of colonel on the staff
of Maj Gen. Corse. 1t was largely
due to the influence of Gov. Dix that
he obtained this appointment.
Mr.. Whipple, as he was then, re-
manned only short time in the world
of politics and business. Returning
to his earliest inclinations he deter
mined to become a candidate for holy
orders. When Thurlow Weed heard of
his intention he remarked that he
hoped "a good politician had not been
spoiled to make poor preacher.
Upon deciding to study for the minis
try Bishop Whipple followed theo-
logical course under DR.. William D.
of rd
sor in Cornell University. He was
ordained deacon in Trinity Church,
Geneva, N. Y, in August, 1S49, and Or
dained priest in July of the following
year in Christ Church, Sackett's Har-
Dor, N. Y, by Bishop De Lancey.
Soon afterward he became rector of
Zion Church. Rome, N. Y, where he
remained seven years. In the spring
of 1857 he removed to Chicago and as
sumed the rectorship of the Church of
the Holy Communion in that city.
This post he held until his election
to the episcopate.
He was consecrated the first Bishop
of Minnesota in st. James's Church,
Richmond, Va, Oct. 13, 1859. He con-
Quoted his first service in the diocese
on Nov. 10 at Wabasha, a missionary
station, where he baptized an infant.
He next visited the Indian Mission of
found the Indians led him to a re-
solve henceforth to give the energies
of his life to the betterment of the
tribes in his diocese. mo words can
describe the pitiable condition of these
Indians" he has written in his book.
Our Indian affairs were then at their
worst; without government without
protection, without personal rights of
property, subject to every evil influ
ence, and the prey of covetous, dishon-
est white men, while the fire water
flowed in rivers of DEATH" At this time
there were no railroads in Minnesota.
His journeys comprised from 1900 to
1000 miles each year, on foot, by canoe
and on horseback. His famous thor
oughbred horse Bashaw was almost as
we'll known in the state as the Bishop
himself. There were about 10000 In
dams in his diocese, which extended
over SO, 900 square miles. They included
Ojibways, Sioux and Winnebagoes. He
quickly earned not only their esteem.
but, what was more to the point for
the success of his mission, their con-
fidence. So much did he accomplish for
their improvement that he became
known as the Apostle to the Indians"
BY the tribes he was called Straight
Tongue" because in the whole length
of his association with them he never
once deceived them, departed from his
word or broke a promise to them. De-
spite the seemingly insurmountable
difficulties which faced him at the out
set Bishop Whipple's achievements are
among the most noteworthy in the
history of the church in this country.
Making Faribault the head of his d.
Geese in 1860 he organized the Seabury
Mission, out of which has grown Sea-
bury Divinity School. St Mary's Hall,
a school for girls, and Shattuck School,
an institution for the education of boys.
He founded many churches and schools
all over the territory in his spiritual
charge. Travelling over the prairies on
horseback and by wagon he would
hold services in wayside inns, in the
open air and in churches loaned to him
by other denominations. He also made
several journeys to Washington on be-
half of the Indians and to expose the
unscrupulous treatment to which they
were often subjected by corrupt agents.
He became a recognized authority on
all questions in relation to the vexed
Indian problem and was often consult
ed by the government in such matters.
He was n member Of the government
Commission for the consolidation of the
Indian tribes capable of civilization. In
July. 1862, Bishop Whipple laid the cor
nerstone Of the cathedral in Fariboult
This was the first cathedral Of the
American Protestant Episcopal Church
IN this country and was consecrated in
1867. When President Lincoln issued
his call for troops In 1861 the first regi-
ment 10 be mustered IN was from Min
nesota. and Bishop Whipple was elect
cd its chaplain. lie declined, however,