Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-01-12

WAhNtA thot WiliNh DNtu utNAiCA
against him in the h CHEST courts OF the
state of Massachusetts, and in which he
took an appeal TO the United States SUI
preme court, had demanded his almost
constant residence in this city.
His death caused an immense sur
prise, as 10 was not even known he was
ailing any more than n man who had
lived and labored so long would. Tho
announcement of his death this morn
ing from failure OF the heart created
more than a little surprise, and at this
hour OF the night details of his taking
off are more than meager.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Benjamin Franklin Butler, tSenty ninth gov.
ernor OF Mass lchusetts, was born In Doerneld,
N. H.. November .. 1919 He was OF colonial
stock. hts grandfather, Capt Zephaniah But
Ter Of Woodbury. Conn having fought under
Gen Wolfe At Quebec, and in the continental
army during the revolution
Benz lmln's father, John Butler. was q captain
OF dragoOns who served under Gen ,cks IN nj
New Orleans His mo her was descendant Of
the Cilleys, a New Hampshire family Of Scotch
Irish origin
REM ,min was the youngest OF the family
and being at an early age earnest student,it
was determined that he should 90 TO COLLEGE
It was his desire to enter West Point but this
being found impractc Ible, he was sent at the
age Of 10 to Watervile college. now Colby uni.
versity, where he grIdu tied In 1893 In his
twentieth rear he went to Lowell and studied
In q law ON g, teaching part OF the time In
order to defray his expenses
In 1910 he was admitted 20 the bar. He at once
showed him iolf In his practice man Of remark
| ably acute understanding great fertility Of re-
source and lightning qulckncss In devices TO
defeat his adyers ,ries IN which particulars he
IL = i'd to have surpassed all rivals ct the New
England bar
After ten years practice at Lowell, Mr.. But
Ter opened an o nee In Boston He early took
| an active part In politics never falling to at
tend the nation Il conventions Of the democratic
party. He was elected m mber Of the NJ lssa-
chusotts legislature In 1874 aud OF the state
senate IN 1879
In December, 1870 after the election OF Mr.
Lincoln, Mr., Butler was at Washington in con
ference with the democrats. When the states
began sending forward troops Mr. Butler lent
his aid in Mass chusctls to prepare the soldiers
for active service, for, althoug h democrat he
was strong union man
on the 18th OF Apr 1891, with the Eighth
Massachusetts, he marched 10 Annapolis, and
was placed In comm mi Of that district, includ-
ing baltimore Ga MAY 49, at the head OF 90
m n he entered baltimore, at that time in q
state Of ferm'nt, Occupied the city, and on the
10Th was appointed IN tior general and put In
4 command OF FJrtr,ss dOlroe and the depart
ment Of eastern rglnil
This peaceful occupation OF Baltimore was
considered ono OF the most remarkable feats OF
| the war Gen Buffers attlu 10 toward slavery
| was chnrlsteris a. OF the mlu A number OF
| slaves having come within his line a demand
was m lde that they DO delivered up TO their
masters The status Of these refugees not hay.
/ ing been fixed Gen. Butler settled It by refus
! ing To We them up, asscrtlny tnlt they were
/ central and OF war an during the con tlnuance
Of the struggle the blacks were known as 'con-
! trAbands'
| In February. 1891, he was ASST gned to the
| command Of the land forces destined 70 co.
operate with IN navy in An attack upon New
! Orleans. On My Gen. Butler took possession
| OF the city Of New Otlean' aid In this midst OF
o furious mob novel through the principal
streets o the custom houss, which he entered
/ and oco pieL
| Tho federal soldiers had o hard time Of It In
| New Orleans, and but for the strong hand and
determined will OF Gen Butler the conditions
would probably have been much wo SO than
they were. HIS curse was undoubtedly arbi.
trarv and severe, but history will probably
Justify It under the conditions Of intense ami
! mostly which existed.
! In 1889 the Massachusetts republicans elected
G. Butler u member OF congress, and, with
| the exception OF two ears, he continued In the
] house OF representatives until 1874 Gen. But
! Ter practically conducted the case against tho
| defendant durlnG the impeachment proceed
| ings IN tn case OF President Andrew johnson.
| also Gen Butler supported the nom ina ton
| OF Gen Hancock for president the nrst demo-
/ cratic clndiiale receiving his support since the
| war In 1882 the democratic plrtS of MassA.
chusetts nominated Den. Butler for governor
and he was lrlumphanuy elected.
Gen. Butler married In 1872 Sarah Hildrcth
daugh err OF DR. Isrle Hidreth OF Lowell who
! had been for i've years previously an actress.
| but who had retired from the stage on her mer.
| Its. She died Ia Boston. April q 1874