Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-01-22
he Was GENEROUS
Ben Buffers Subscription Ior the Confederate
Home al Richmond.

Washington, Jan. 13.-A story Of the
late Benjamin Il. Butler. which win be
news to mafiy people both North and
South. is told by ex-COnfedcrate Gem
eral' Marcus y Wright of the war re-
cords office. II relates 30 General But.
lers contribution to the Confedprate
home at Richmond When the institn-
ton was projected Robert l. Fleming
visited Washington 20 see whatassistance
could be obtained lie wanted to atari
his list with a good round sum. and he
went to Bniler The first thing The old
man listened until Mr. Fleming had ONT
lined the plNuS for the home Then he
turned round 70 his desk aud filled ont
check for 5000 III YOU need more
come again said General Butler and
the interview was over. Mr.. Fleming
went down town and called upon Cor.
cornn. The banker always noted for his
sympathy for The South. lie cxplainNd
his GRAND. The banker wanted to know
how tue subscriptions were progressing.
Mr. Fleming said he had called upon
but one gentleman and had received a
check for $500.
Very well" Mr. Corcoron commented
Ill give YOU $500"
The banker turned 10 his desk and
began 70 write. As If something had
suddenly occurred to him, he stopped
and asked
Who gave the SJOOY"
Fleming
IN make mine $1,000" said the banker
without any change Of tone, and he did
Il.
Some time afterwards the ex.Confede-
rates got up great fair in Rchmend
TOT tue home. Not many Of the brave
men and fair ladies knew that the deco
rauons display so profusely were furnish
ed without cost from Ben Buffers bunt-
inE factory
There ~ another story OF Ben Buffers
relations With S-Confcderates. When
the Democrats first obtained control of
the lower branch Of congress, after the
war, Southern man came 10 Washing
ton 10 get office. lie relied confidently
! upon his war record and bis social re
/ lauons. His friends received him with
| open arms. but did nothing for him he
/ yond the cordial greeting The eX- Con.
fedcrate waited until his means were
! exhausted md the situation had become
! desperate One day, with his soul full
OF bitterness. he walked iato the presence
OF General Rutlcr and told his story.
/ Con You write a good handy asked
| the general when he had heard il an
! Yes said the S0uthcrner
| Let me soe.' demanded the general
The visitor took pen and paper aud
wrote.
'rhat1l do" the general commented
"llow are you ON dgurcsT'
| Tho SOuthcrncr Thought he WIS pretty
| fair. The general called on rapidly nut
the other made mental calculation am,
| gave the result
81 think you'l do" said the general
Here is 500 Go downtown RAd ae
n business suit of clothes. Pay any III
tie debts you've incurred. Then CON,
| back"
In couple Of weeks the ex-Con.fed
crate was out Of politics and into
! clerical position az q Lowell CAlassl fac
| tory. lie remained there for years be
| ing advanced from time TO time. ON
day General Butler sent for him. liz
had come into possession Of very larg
tract Of timber aud mineral land in
! Southern state. On the land souattcr
had been settled for many years The
| must be placated and their rights mus
he acquired before General Buffers It'll
| could be made clear. Hundreds of thous
nnds of acres were embraced in The tract
10 remove the cloud meant fortune
The people were hardly mountainccrs
They had the reputation of making shor
work with those who disputed owner
ship of The land Will them.
DO you think you can do anythiu
with it, General Butler asked, after d
had leNpamed what was desired
IN try L. said che Confederate.
He went South and spent twelve month
among the mountlineers The lob wa
one he would hardly have undertake
FOR money compensation. He got on Ia
right side of the squatters. A few hun
dred dollars went a long way. This sci
tier was bought out. That one was M
duccd 20 move aud squat outside OF IN
Butler tract. In various ways the agen
acquired all Of the squattcrs' rights Rit
their full consent. At the end of an
year he carried back 10 the general III
papers which made him undsputed ownc
of all of the valuable land
There Is no donhtsg ihc efAcInncr Of D.