Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-12
BUTLER is NO MORE
After LIES FitfuI Fever He
Sleeps Well.
DEATH CAME IN THE MORNING
Tns Famous Solder, Lawyer ard Poh'
t.c,an Passes Suddenly Away ~ His
Washington Residence.

a
min r. Butler died suddenly OF heart
disease A. l:30 O'Clock tina morning Al
MS residence IN TIM city on New Jersey
avenue, opposite the capitol General
Butler returned 10 this city from New
York Friday and found MS nephew by
marriage. L2nser Dunn. MA niece, Mrs.
LAnier Dunn. aud Mss Stevens AZ hls
rssidence. This constituted the gem
srAl's family AT tho time OF his death.
Although "a years Of age. General
Butler had been noted for DIS remark
able health ana robustness, but rs
often declared that hisend would come
suddenIy. No later tnan Yesterday, IN
discussing Mr.. blalne's lingering illness,
he made use or the expression:
"BIalne may outlive ms yet"
The general arose shortly after
O'Clock this morning and started for
sne bathroom, where be had = yonlIt-
ing spsll. West. his servant. turned TO
his masters assistance, but the general
murmured:
"ft - tco late, help me back TO bed"
By this time Mr.. Dunn Was aroused,
and he hurried to his unele's assist
auce. No time was lost by hin IN hur-
rving for q physician. Just as soon as
the doctor reached Buffers bedside ne
saw that Il was hopeless case ana SO
announced 10 the relatives WITHIN
i've minutes all was over.
Arrangements have been made to re-
move the remains TO Lowell, Mass, for
interment IN the family plot at that
place.
General Buffers home in Washing
ton of late years. since ne turned over
10 The government the use OF his big
granite castle or Capitol hIil, had been
In a handsome brick residence owned
by him at No. go New Jersey avenue,
southeast, also IN toe neighborhood OF
the capitol. There nis two nleces, Mrs.
Lanier Dunn and Mss Stevens, KEEP!
house for him.
Hls extensive law practice kept him
much n this city during the winter
months when the supreme court IS IN
session. During the present winter
case which had been decided against
him IN the highest courts or the state
or Massachusetts,, and IN which ne
took an appeal 10 the United States
supreme court, has demanded MS al
most constant residence IN this city.
Every Monday when the decisions were
rendered, General Buffers familiar
face has been observed IN the front
rank OF the attorneys IN attendance.
few weeks ago the case was de
ciced against him. III ne took the mat
ter in any way to heart. no did mol
manifest il IL hrs outward demeanor
Only yesterday RS marked features
and his broad -brlmmed nat were con.
spIcuous in the SUPREME court OF the
district sitting IN general term. An old
litigation over clam OF samue
Strong, since dead, IN which Genera
Butler was tensciously fighting FOR 8
legal fee which no alleged was du'
from the estate, Was on the docket
Counsel asked the court 20 put the case
down for bearing TINS week 10 accom-
modate General Butler. "a 4 might no
be convenient for the latter to attenC
later in the term. The court wa
obliged TO refuse the request, as othel
important cases had the precedence.
Caught n Cold.
General Butler came over from New
York on Friday last. lie was taken II
on the train, but recovered, and IL
marked premouitIons OF bis sudder
death manifested themselves. There
had been some apparent increase O
feebieness IN his gait recently. but no
more so than might be expected from
his advanced age-14- This was partly
due to bis increasing bulk and the lac
that he had exceptionally small fee
ard weak ankles upon which TO sup
port go heavy = weight. His facultle
renamed unimpaired. He went To th'
war department after leaving the c0ur
IN the afternoon loOslng after som'
business. and during the DAY took :
severe cold, whic.l later developed int
pneumonia. Nevertheless ne sat dowI
to dinner at MS home with MS accus
toned cneerfulncss, and afterwards "a
chatting with The members OF the mouse
hold.
HIS entire life. II may be said, hs
been passed siuce his retirement from
politics IN the law practices and II
cruising IA hts yacht, the famous oil
schooner America.
uss Career.
The story OF the i.fs of Benjamin F
Butter Is full o. interest and dramatic
action. Although be may have beer
scuiowhat errstic. aud NAV even hsv'
had an 0vsrpOWeFlng love OF seeing tn
narne Of Butler before the world. i
cannot be denied that ne was q man o
overultstsT.uE intellect ana one WHO'S
presence Vas felt "A whatever position
be chose u take.
Born IA peerield, y. H., in 1918, n
graduated from WEtervilie college II
Msine. In 1858. ard three years late
he began the practice OF law. lie wa
an active pohhciau from the begin
mig. ami trained ass'duously With th'
democratic party uuti its disruption a
Charleston in 1860 During TINS tim'
ne served a. member Of both house
OF the Massachusetts, Legislature.
When the wer froSs cut be FASTENED
- Washington a. brigsdlsr-general o
militia. He vas ~ once placed II
command of the department. of Anna
polis, which Included baltimore. sns
~ the middle OF May was made
usior-ecneFsl with the department. o
yirginIs in nis ehsrge. While IN TN
position he took his peculiar and IA
nous stand toward fugitive slaves
claiming them "a coutrsbsnds of var
Ratier ~ S~w orleans
IN August. 1861. sn expedition wnlcl