The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-11

watching case in which he was inter-
ested in the supreme court Every Mon
day he was familiar figure at the sessions
OF that body, when decisions are handed
down. His general impairment of health,
consequent on advanced age, was a matter
of comment time and time again in the
supreme court.
Finally, a few weeks ago, the case was
decided against him. and it is thought he
took the reverse greatly to heart.
His death created great surprise, as it
was not even known that he was ailing
any more than any man who had lived and
labored so long. The announcement Of his
death from heart failure created much as
toniShment and at this hour the details
are very meager.
Shortly after O'clock this morning the
general was attacked with fit of cough
ing which awakened his man servant who
always occupied the adjoining room.
He at once hastened TO the generals
beside and asked him what was the mat
ter. The general meanwhile had gone to
the bathroom adjoining, whittier his
valet fastened and offered his assistance.
The general mentioned that his
expectoration was discoored with blood.
He did not appear to think seriously of
the matter, however, and after the valet
had assisted him to bed, he said: That's
all, West, you need no anything more"
and apparently went to sleep. He
had lain on the but few moments
however. when his heavy breathing again
aroused alarm, and Mr.. Janier Damn. a
nephew by marriage, who resides in the
same house, started out in search
nf full
fifteen minutes before he could secure
aid, and then when he returned wi.h DR..
Luce, the assistant of DR.. Braine, the fam
lily physician, 1t was seen that the general
was already in extremis. The doctor so
informed the two nieces, Miss Stevens and
Mrs. Dunn, who were at his bedside, and
death ensued almost immediately.
benjamin Franklin Butler was born n Deer
field, y. H., November S, ISIS. He was fhe son
OF Capt. John Butler, who served under Jack
son al New Orleans lie was graduated at
Watcrville college (now Colby uniyets tyl Maine,
in ISIS. was admitted to the bar in lsit began
practice AT Lowell, Mas, in 1871. and ha. high
reputation as lawyer. especially III c5ininai
cases. lie early took prominent part
in politics on the Democgtc side.
ana was elected a member of the Massa-
chusetts house of representatives, il 1856,
delegate To the Democratic national convention
that met al Charleston. hen port .ou of the
delegates reassembiei at Baltimore. M
Butler, after taxing part in the Cqening
debates and votes, announced tAat
majority OF the delegates from Ma>sacausett,
would not further participate il the dc.iberA-
tions OF the convention, on the ground that
there had been a with travail in part of the
majority OF the states; ana iurther. De sd iei.
upon the ground that l would not SIT
In q convention where the African slava trade
which IS piracy by the laws OF nay country. Is
approvtag,y advocated" In the same yaar he
was tie unsuccessful Democratic canttGAte for
governor OF Massachusetts,. At the time
OF President Liac0ins cali for troops
in April, ls96, he held the commission OF Urlga-
der general OF militia On the 7ts = that
mouth lie marched TO Annapolis w.sh tho
ghth Massachusetts reg nent, AMI vas I, aced
In command OF the district of A4uapOlis
in which the city OF Baltimore Hss in
c uded On May Is. 1851, ne entered Ra!:!Inofe
a; the head OF So men, occupied the city with
out opposition, and on May Is was made a
ajOr general and assigned 10 lie command Of
Furt Monroe suj the department o. Eastern
Virginia While he was here some slaves
taat hat come within his lines were censa ,.cd
ty their masters: hut be refused 10 giv= them
Up on the ground that they were cOat-Gbsn1 OF
OF war; hence arose the designation OF con
t-sbauis" often applied u slaves ,:u.;ug
tae war. IN Angus. he CAPTURED
Forts Ha,terss ana C.ark. on the coast o. North
Carolina lie then returned 20 Massachusetts
10 recruit sn expedition :or III Guf Z Hex.co
AMI the Mississippi. On Aa.cn - l3tL tAeex-
pcd.tjon reached snip Is and. ans or
April l. went up TO the Mississippi
The fee, under FArragui having pas,e4 the for,s
Apr. II. ana virtually captured New Orleans,
Gsa. Butter took possession 0. tie