The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-18
BUrrERwoRrH,s OBITUARY.


Things a Fellow Member Intended Saying IN
Case the Major Died.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON March lit is not often that
one is accorded the privilege of reading even
notes of his obituary. but Representative Ben
Butterworth, of the Cincinnati district will have
an opportunity of doing Last fall Major
Butterworth, who, besides being one of the best
orators and most gifted in the House. has
made himself prominent by advocating CONNER
cial reciprocity between the United States and
Canada, had long attack of typhoid fever. Az
the time Congress assembled, in December, he
was in critical condition, and it generally
believed that he could not survive. There was
universal regret. because he is very popular
with all who know him. Some of the members,
in their eagerness to Guido the others, began to
prepare notes for eulogies to be delivered in
Congress, in the newspapers through inter-
views. have been permitted to read the notes
prepared by member who undoubtedly
meant to give his ytterances to the press. and
here they are:
"Maior Butterworth was one Of the best natured
men 1 ever saw. His fund of joviality made his
presence always pleasing, and made him able to
accomplish much more in congressional and
private business than the men of equal ability
who were acrid and unpleasant The Major
could manipulate the banjo, sing ballads and
comic songs and chalk the clog gracefully
professional His home. in the groves which
dot LIE Droit Park. IN the northern part of the
city. was one of the happiest in all the country.
1t Is good-sized brick structure, painted brown,
and over the gothic windows and snug aIcovea
which ornament the exterior climb ivy and tre-
Uses OF cultivated flowers. A beautiful yard
surrounds the house, and in the summer Major
Buttcrworth may be seen. when not engaged
with his professional duties. INDUCING in foot
ball, baseball. cricket or archery with his sons
and daughter. AT night the harmony of the
violin, plano and banjo. Intern nging with
voices might be heard from the Butterworth
house, waiting out over the beautiful surround
ings and not infreQuently the young folks came
in to indulge In the olden-time gayeiies Major
Buttesworth left family of four children. all
nearly full grown.
Probably oftener than any other man in pub
lie life Major Butterworth guest of the
Gridiron Club. which is composed of the leading
newspaper correspondents at the national CAPT.
tai. He was one of the best after-dinuer takers
In the country, and his presence always brought
an abundance of good nature and an overflow of
laughter. When be attended the last dinner of
the Gridiron Club and was called upon make
speech he responded by singing Are You
There, MoriarityP As he sung this popular song
he.chars we're cleared from his side of the ta-
Bile and he performed the pigeon wing as a
prelude, and the entire assemhlage joined with
such vehemency In the chorus that the noise
heard blocks away. and the people assembled
the sidewalk outside and craned their necks to
See what was going on inside The Major was
repeatedly encored. and it was unanimously
voted that he should have standing invitation
to drop IN whenever the club had dinner.
Just before the last Congress adjourned the
Senators and REPRESENTATIVES who had been en-
tertained by the Gridiron Club gave dinner at
Wormleys to those who had been their hosts.
Most of the distinguished in public life
gathered about the board with the writer's.
Major Butterworth presided. and it is related
that for the first time IN many years be showed
nervousness before his audience. AS the din
ner hours passed, however, the force OF the
duress under which he labored wore away. and
the flow of wit and gush of humor never
exceeded AT any table IN Washington.
Major Butterworth came from a Quaker
family. His father and mother live at Lebanon,
Ohio. Shortly after the the Major settled
at Cincinnati. and began the practice OF law.
During the 'unplea santness' he called TO
Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, in connection with
iha uuartermaster's stores, and there met his
WIFE, who, as now, a handsome, black eyed
vivacious woman, and he fell madly
in love and married her The
Major was quite younc when he began
to pore over his law books and bloorned out as
an orator; but he forced into pcltics
He WAS very ardent Repu blcan and a heated
campaign opened At Cincinnati the political
contests have always been noted for the bitter
personalities they eneender. and Major Butter
worth came in for very large share of abuse.
He a tongue which can be turned to butter
as we'll as pathetic language and ne opened his
vial OF wrath. His good Quaker father and
mother uD at Lebanon read in the newspapers
abstracts of his speeches. and tn y almost
dumfounded- IL was beyond their comprenen-
sion why their Benjamin should indulge in such