The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-25
RuTLER,s MARRIED LIFE.
smitten Before the FootIights and welded
After a Rapid Courtship.

Smitten Before the FootIights and Welded
After a Rapid Courtship.
New York Morning Journal
BENJAMIN Franklin Butler, the present candi
date of the Anti monopoly party for President
was born in Deerfield N H. on Nov s. 1873 |
AS he grew up he was noted as being youth Of
keen perceptions, fiery, inquisitive and fearless
When he was twenty one years of age he grad
uated from Wateryille College, Maine. He
studied law for two years, then he was admitted
to the bar. He soon became famous for his
cleverness in obtaining acquittals for his clients
In the fail of 1843 he went on a visit to Cineln-
matt. When he reached there he found the sole
theme OF conversation was the opening of a new
theater The managers were Dandy Foster
local celebrity, and Ned Chippendale a New
York sport and an old pal of Dandy. They
had billed the town extensively. 1t became
known that lady second to none in the country
for her beauty had been engaged by the two
dashing managers. Ben Butler became as eager
as anybody in town for glimpse Of this famed
beauty.
The night came. The house was packed. Ben
Butler occupied box on the right of the stage.
The curtain finally rolled up There was hush
Of expectancy. Some minor actor and actresses
appeared They were given faint applause.
Finally, handsome lady appeared on the stage.
She was dressed in flowing robe of white satin
that melted away in soft wayelets from the
white throat. A black ribbon on one shoulder
heightened the effect For moment there was
intense silence. The young actress-it was her
first appearance-kept silent for moment,
gazing at the thousands before her.
Benz has often been g gRplaud the credit s
for it Then it came thick and fast with
mighty roar The vast audience rose in their
seats and cheered A shower of bouquets were
flung at the feet of the yound debutante. Final
~, when the applause had decreased somewhat,
she sang. Her pure, innocent young voice
swelled high and clear and penetrated the
furthest corners Of the theater. When she fin
lshed she was encored repeatedly.
When the performance was over young But
Ter walked to the Henrie House, where he was
stopping, like one in dream. The beauty of
the young actress had made a deep impression
on his mind. He determined to know her For
this purpose he sought for and obtained an intro
duction to Ned Chippendale, who, in turn, intro
duced him to Miss Hildreth, which was the
handsome young actresses name off the stage
She was the only and petted daughter of
highly respected Episcopalian minister in
the city. She had received thorough
education, but became stage-struck When she
announced her determination to go on the stage
her fond parent pleaded with her TO relinquish
the idea. The little coaxer, by free use of
kisses, and embraces, however caused her
father to give his consent to her becoming an
actress.
For two weeks young Ben nightly occupied
box in the theater He would come in time to
see her act and then take his departure. One
night Ben waited until the curtain was rung
down. He then made his way behind the scenes,
as he was privileged to do by the management
He met Miss Hildreth as she was about leaving
the theater. He requested few moments CON
versation. They retired to the dressing-room
near by, where he went down on his knees
and made an ardent profession of his love-
Although they had been acquainted but two
weeks they had already fallen deeply in love
with one another. The handsome and dashing
young man had won the heart OF the young
actress
The next day he called on her father. He told
him in plain, manly terms beloved his daughter
The old gentleman, although at first surprised
was greatly pleased, especially when he found
Ben was rising young man. They were mar
ried almost Immediately, as he was anxious to
return home
Chippendale and Foster were wild They lost
the biggest card they had. When Miss Hildreth
became Mrs Butler she left them in the lureh
Mrs Butler always proved kind, and loving
wife toher husband Her death, which occurred
several years ago, was severely felt by the gal
liant Ganeral During her illness he had palatial
quarters fitted up for her in the Massachusetts,
General Hospital The best surgeons and physi-
clans in this and European countries were Sc
cured, but without avail. She died, and her
death was the bitterest blow the General ever
received
General Butler was originally a hardshell
Democrat He always took an active part in
politics. He was delegate to the national con-
yention, which was held in Charleston in April
1860 Butler supported Breckenridge for the
Ff6Sldency IN november, &loOU, ana stnuS maze
himself so unpopular in the North that he only
received six thousand votes for Governor of
Massachusetts in that year. When the war
broke out he took command of brigade, with
which he moved at once toward Washington,
but on hearing of the riot in Baltimore he made
a detour to Annapolis. He occupied Baltimore
on May Ii and a. He was appointed a major
general on the 10th andon the ed took command
of Fortress Monroe.
In January, 1862, Butler took command of an
Of mon SAINT hive tor To
with the navy in the capture of New Orleans.
He entered it as victor on May l, 1862. He was
elected as member of Congress in 1866 He
was one of the managers selected on March 9
1868, to conduct the impeachment of General
johnson He was also re-elected to Congress in
1868. In all the multifarious duties of his pub
lie life he proved himself an honorable man.
Everyone remembers the overwhelming major
ity with which he was made Governor of Massa
chusetts two years ago The General is now
sixty six years of age, but looks sixteen years
younger.