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A tall, straight man in the prime of life, bronzed and gray-bearded, watched the parade of the Grand Army yesterday from a
place near Governor Hill on the stand in Madison Square. It was the first turnout of the kind he had ever seen, and he stopped
over in New York on purpose to witness it.
His name is Hon. Samuel Dibble, and for eight years he has represented
the First Congressional District of South Carolina. He is a big man -- mentally and physically -- and before entering Congress
he bore a large share in the legislation at home that finally freed his State from the rule of the carpet baggers. He is,
strange to say, one of the few representatives from the South who cannot be classified as "brigadier," for he entered
the Confederate Army as a private at the beginning of the Rebellian [sic], served until the end, and came out carrying only
the shoulder straps of a lieutenant.
"It was a magnificent parade," said Mr. Dibble last night, "and
I notice that the bands didn't forget our old tune of 'Dixie,' and that showed me that many a once bitter memory had passed
away forever. I am glad Decoration Day has been made a national holiday and that in the South as well as in the North it
is being observed. With a few more years of the peaceful, quiet and honest National Government that President Cleveland is
giving the country there will be no longer a reason for any exhibition of sectional prejudice among the extremists on either
side of the late contest. The South is progressing rapidly under the new system of things, and we want no change for four
years more in the head of the Government. If Mr. Cleveland will take another nomination, and I think he will, the South will
go up at the next National Convention with no other name but his to place at the head of the ticket."
"Talks
With And About Prominent Men -- A Southerner On Decoration Day," The Daily Graphic, New York, Tuesday, May 31, 1887
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Editorial from the Orangeburg Times & Democrat, September 18, 1913
Thirty-four years ago, lacking a few months,
the editor of The Times and Democrat came to Orangeburg a stranger, moneyless, but young and hopeful, bearing a letter of
introduction to the Hon. Samuel Dibble, then in the vigor of a robust manhood, and one of the leading lawyers of this section
of the State. Never shall we forget the cordial words and the warm handshake he gave us after reading that letter. From
that day to the day of his death the editor of the Times and Democrat has esteemed it an honor and a privilege to number the
Hon. Samuel Dibble as one of his warmest and truest friends. He is gone, but we shall never forget him, and sometime, somewhere,
we shall greet him again.
Mr. Dibble was no ordinary man. He was a highly educated, cultivated gentleman, but
at the same time modest and unostentatious in his bearing. He loved South Carolina and her honored history and traditions,
and was ever ready to serve her whether on the tented field or the forum. He entered the Confederate army a young man at
the beginning of the war and surrendered with the remnant of that grand body of men at the close. Having done all he could
to achieve Southern Independence and failed, he accepted the result, and went to work to build up the desolate State. It
was leaders like him that encouraged the people and enabled them to make the South prosperous and happy again.
He
was a brave and wise leader during the reconstruction period, and did his full share to redeem the State from the polluting
rule of the stranger and alien. He was a valued member of the State legislature, and as a Congressman he was attentive and
diligent in the discharge of his duties, and every part of his district was carefully looked after. He met every duty, and
his example helped to make good, sound and strong communities. He was ever willing to serve Orangeburg. He was a good useful
citizen who was always willing to serve when his services were needed, and our people will hold his memory in love and reverence.
In speaking of Mr. Dibble's death, The State [Newspaper] says "his mind was always at work for the solution
of practical problems that would benefit his neighbors. At a public dinner in Orangeburg some six or seven years ago, we
heard him deliver a little address, in response to calls, in which with convincing clearness he pointed out the need of a
railroad to connect the city of Orangeburg with the western part of the county in the direction of Springfield. That railroad
has lately been built and it was Colonel Dibble's idea -- it is tangible, lasting proof of the value of a capable and thinking
man to a community." At another time he advocated a railroad from this city to Lexington, and, as The State says, he
always was at work to help his people.
In the language of The State, "would that we might have had in South
Carolina in the last half century more men of the type of Samuel Dibble." He was the first man to receive a diploma
from Wofford College and he set a noble example for the hundreds and thousands of young men to follow in his footsteps at
that admirable institution. Good, pure, honest and brave gentlemen have not been uncommon in South Carolina, but there was
another side to Mr. Dibble's career that is not so often paralleled. He was a man of rare business capacity who liked to
help in the development of his country. His work at Bowman is a monument to his energy and ability as a builder.
Mr.
Dibble lived to a ripe age, but his death came sooner than his friends expected, as up to a few months ago he was in fair
health. He never lost interest in politics. Last year he attended the Baltimore Democratic Convention as a spectator with
some friends, and was a strong advocate of Mr. Wilson as the nominee. We agree with The State that Mr. Dibble "deserves
to be remembered with honor and affection in every part of South Carolina. A thousand men of his broad vision, his indefatigable
industry and his sterling character would make of South Carolina in a few years the king of State that every good man longs
for it to be." Orangeburg today mourns her most distinguished citizen.
Born September 16, 1837, in Charleston, S.C., to Philander Virgil Dibble and Frances Ann Evans
Relative of
19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes
First graduate from Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., 1856
Admitted to the S.C. Bar in 1859
Enlisted and served as a sergeant and lieutenant in the 25th
S.C.V. (Edisto Rifles, Eutaw Regiment)
Participated in Battle of First Manassas, July 21, 1861
Participated in the Battle of Secessionville, June 16, 1862
Captured by Union troops on Long Island,
South Carolina, on July 8, 1863, and sent to Hilton Head and later to Johnson's Island
Released from Johnson's
Island in late October, 1864
Married Mary Christiana Louis (daughter of Deopold Louis and Anna Hall) on November
10, 1864
Resumed service in 25th S.C.V. in January 1865
Captured by Union troops at Town Creek,
N.C., in February 1865 and sent to Fort Delaware
Four children: Frances Agnes Dibble, Samuel Dibble II, Louis
Virgil Dibble, and Mary Henley Dibble
Member, S.C. House of Representatives, 1877-78
Trustee,
University of South Carolina, 1878
United States Congressman, 1881-82, 1883-91
Died
September 16, 1913, near Baltimore, Md.
Buried in Sunny Side Cemetery, Orangeburg, S.C.
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