The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-08-06
SUICIDE OF A. III. BUTLER
HE CUTS HIS THROAT WITH A SMALL
POCKET KNIFE.

ISL JAIL, committed suicide early Fri.
day morning by cutting his throat
with u pocket knife, from the effects
of which he bled to death in a very
few moments.
Butler has been in Jail since the
18th of April, charged with the kill.
ing Of Bernard NJ. Hayes, grandson OF
ex-Gov. Thos. O. Moore, of Moreland.
Hayes and Butler were brothers-i in.
law, Butler having married Miss Bet
tie Hyams, who is "a half sister of
Hayes.
Butler was tried at the last term of
our District Court, which resulted in a
mistrial, the jury standing l | for con-
vlcting him Of murder aud for man
slaughter.
A strange coincidence with the sui
eide is that at o'clock Friday morn
ing loud noise was heard in the Jail,
followed by cries of Sire" Sheriff
Stafford, accompanied by Deputy Che
ney, immediately went up stairs, from
where the sounds came and found they
proceeded from the cell of Butler,
which is on the upper floor, northwest
corner. They discovered Butler suf-
fering from burns about the head aud
hands, and the bed clothing and lot
Of books, which We're in an open trunk !,
on fire. Butler ran into the hall and
stood before another cell, and pris-
oner named Bolan reached his hands
through the bars and extinguished the
burning hair on Buffers head. After
putting out the fire in the cell the She.
riff and his deputy brought Butler
back and summoned DR.. Il. L. Ran
dolph, who attended to his injuries
On Il table in the cell Butler had a
lamp, and it is supposed that he had
been reading and had fallen asleep,
aud that the lamp had exploded. -
Sheriff Stafford then left Ike johnson,
(wllo is to answer the charge Of larce-
N.Y. to watch Butler.
After resting awhile from the medi-
clue givea him by the doctor, Butler
awoke aud asked johnson to step into
the hall, which johnson did. Butler
then locked the door and cut his
throat. Jolnsan didnot seem to know
what Butler had con-, as he did not
give any alarm.
At daylight Sheriff Stafford saw Ike
johnson standing in front of Butler
cell and light burning ON the inside.
As it looked suspicious, be went mp
stairs to satisfy his curiosity. John
son told him that Butler had asked
him to 60 into the half, and when he
returned the door was latchcd. The
Sheriff then looked through the crack
in the door and discovered Butler ly-
ing on his bed, with blood stains ON
his clothing. He called Butler three
times, and, on receiving no answer
burst open the door. To his surprise
Butler was lying dead on his back il
the he'd. Beside him was three
blaaed Rogers pocket knife, with the
large blade stained with blood. Th.
bedding was also covered with blood
On examination it was found tina
Butler had plunged the knife into TIT
right side of his throat, and then drawn
it across to the left, several inches
Butler was dressed in his shirt sleeves
with dark trousers, and had on slip
pers. lie wore around his neck
double scapular, an Ayuus Del ana
two medhls.
Acting Coroner w. W. Whiting
ton Mas Immediately notified, and tL'
inquest was held with the following
jury: A. P. Williams, Ii. NJ. HUE
II. L. Bi ,ssat, A, Jarreau and VIM
Legras. The family of the dead maj
were also notified, and the news sool
spread about town. A large GROVE
gathered around the Jail eager to &C
a glimpse of the suicide, and to lear
all about the facts, and Sheriff StaI
ford and his men were kept busy il
keeping tue crowd back.
The jury rennered verdict of dealt
from suicide.
On examining Buffers papers it wa
found that he had paid up life polio
in the New York Life Insurance Ga
for $1,000. He had also made will
Butler came from Natcbitoches Pa
rish, and has resided in Rapides aboa
ten years. He leaves wife and tw
children, the youngest being bah
! boy two weeks old aud the other Gil
of two years. Butler ,s the son of d.
j. w. Butler, a prominent planter q
Natchitoches Parish.
Buffers remains were taken to tn
residence of Mr.. james Andrews
where they remained until Saturda.
afternoon, when they were conveye
to Natchitocbes for interment. The
were accompanied by Mr.. and Mrs. j
N. Armstrong, Mrs. L. R. Armstron
and Capt. Woodson Butler, relative
of the deceased.
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