Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-01-11
GENERAL BUTLER DEAD
He Expired in Washington
Early This Morning.


he Had Gone to the Capital on Supreme
Court business and Was Apparently in
Good Health-Attacked With Fit of
Coughing This Morning and Died Before
Help Could Reach Him-Sketch of His
Career.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.-Benjamin F.
Butler the lawyer, soldier, statesman,
politician and millionaire manufacturer,
died at his Washington residence No. 220
New Jersey avenue, southeast, at 1870
this morning.
The General has always, to a more or
less extent, made his residence in Wash
ington, although many of the scense of
his successful ventures have been located
elsewhere.
During the present winter a case which
had been decided against him in the
highest court of Massachusetts, and in
which he took an appeal to the United
States Supreme Court, has demanded his
almost constant residence in this city.
Every Monday he was familiar figure at
the session of that body.
The familiar face and broad brimm ed
hat of Gen. Butler was seen in the Su-
preme Court in General Term yesterday.
The old contest over the will of Samuel
Strong, heard by the General Term on an
appeal from the Circuit Court was to
have been tried this term. Judge o. D.
Barrett asked the court to put the case
down for hearing this week TO accommo-
date Gen. Butler as it might not be con-
venient for him to attend later in the
term.
The court was obliged to refuse the re-
quest as other important cases had the
precedence and the bench is short
handed until Judge Cole takes his seat.
The General was accompanied to the
city by his valet, West, q colored man.
Shortly after l o'clock the valet heard
the General coughing severely and has
tened to his bedside. The General spoke
of having expectorated blood, but did not
seem to think seriously of the matter
and the valet was dismissed. Shortly
afterward West was again alarmed by the
heavy breathing of the General and once
more fastened to his side, but before help
could be summoned the General had
breathed his last.
His death was due to heart failure.
Benjamin F. Butler was born at Deer
field, N. H., in 1918. After graduating
at Waterville college, Maine, he was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1910.
He was delegate to the Democratic
convention which was held in Charleston
and in Baltimore in 1850.
At the beginning of the Civil War he
took command of brigade, with which
he occupied Baltimore. He was appoint
ed II Maj General the same year and had
the command at Fortress Monroe.
In August of the same year he COM
manded the land forces against Fort Hat
teraS.
In 1862 he was sent to New Orleans in
command of the Gulf Department.
In that city he signalized himself by
the intleXible vigor of his administration.
In November of the same year he was re-
lieved of his command.
In the following year he was given the
control over the military of Virginia and
North Carolina
On May IT., 1864, he was attacked at
Drury's Bluff, on which occasion he sue
ceeded in saving his army by falling back
to the cover of his intreuchments.
In December of that year he was sent
in command of the land forces against
| Fort Fisher. Failing to carry this place
by assault, he retired, and was soon after
| relieved of his command by General
Grant.
He was elected to Congress in 1866, and
was one of the managers selected to con-
| duct the impeachment of President John
son.
He was the unsuccessful candidate for
Governor of Massachusetts in 1875; il
| 1889 he was the candidate on the indie
pendent Greenbackers for the office, but
| was defeated. III 1892 he was elected by
the Democrats; was renominated in 1883,
but was defeated.
In 1884 he was the candidate of the
Greenbackers and Anti-Monopolists fo
| President and received 1873, S95 votes.
In the latter years of his life he devoted
his time to the practice of law. He was
counsel in many cases of Importance be-
fore tn U. 5. Supreme Court.