The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-20
BUTLER AND THE REnRls.
The Way Ho Acted Toward His Old Foes
Since tho War,

The Way He Acted Toward His old Foes
sincs tho War.
lPG'hAgion Cor. GlObs Democrat
A story Of the late Benjamin +. But
lor, which will be news to many people,
both north and south, is told by ex'
Confederate Gen. Marcus I. Wright Of
the war records Office. It relates to
General Buffers contribution to the
Confederate home at Richmond. When
the institution was projected, Robert l,
Fleming visited Washington to see what
assistance could DO obtained, He want.
ed to start his list with good round
sum, and he went to Butler the tirst
thing. The old man listened until Mr.
Fleming had outlined the plans for the
home. Then he turned to his desk'and
filled out a check for $500. lfyou need
more, come again, said General Butler,
and the interview was over, Mr., Elem
ing went down town and called upon
Corcoran, the banker, always noted for
his sympathy for the south He ex.
planned his GRAND. The banker wanted
to know how the subscriptions were
progressing, Mr., Fleming said he had
called upon but one gentleman and had
received q check for $500,
Every WE'LL" Mr. Corcoran COMMENT
ed, an give you $500"
Tie banker turned to his desk and
began TO write. AS II something had
suddenly occurred to him, he stopped
and asked;
"Who gave the s5O02"
"BenjaInip I, Butler" replied Mr..
Fleming,
banker, without any change OF tone,
and he did it,
Some time afterwards the ex-Confed.
crates got up u great fair in Richmond
Tor the homo. Not many OF the brave
men and fair ladies know that the dec
orations displayed 80 protusely were
furnished without cost from Ben. But
ler's bunting factory.
There is another story Of Ben Buffers
relations with ex.Coniederates. When
the Democrats first obtained control OF
the lower branch OF Congress after the
war, southern man came to Washing
ton to ret office. He relied confidently
on his war record and his social rela-
tons. His friends received him with
open arms, but did nothing for him be-
yond tho cordial greeting. The ex-
Confederate waited until his means
were exhausted, and the situation had
become desperate. Ono day, with his
soul full OF bitterness, he walked into
the presence OF General Butler and told
his story.
"Can you write good hand2" asked
the general when he had heard all.
yea" said the southerner.
"Let me see," demanded the general.
The visitor took pen and paper and
wrote.
"That'll do" tho general commented.
How are you on fguresW
The southerner thought he was pretty
fair The general called of rapidly and
the other made a mental calculation
and gave the result.
~ think you'll do" said the general,
"Here Is 500. Go down town and get
q business suit Of clothes. Pay any lit
tie debts you've incurred. Then come
back"
In couple OF weeks the ex.Confed.
crate was out OF politics and into a
clerical position at q Lowell Mass, fac
tory. He remained there for years, be.
ing advanced from time to time. One
day General Butler sent for him. He
had come into possession OF very
large tract OF timber and mineral land
in southern state. On the land squat
ters had been settled for many years.
They must be placated and their rights
must be acquired before General But
ler's title could be made clear. Hun
dreds OF thousands OF acres were EN-.
braced in tho tract. To remove the
cloud meant fortune. The people
were hardy mountaineers. They had
tho reputation OF making short work
with those who disputed the ownership
Of the land with them.
"Do you think you can do anything
with it?" Gen. Butler asked, after he
had explained what was desired.
"l'll try it." said the ex-Colfederate.
He went south and spent twelve
months among the mountaineers. The
Job was one he would hardly have under
taken for mohey compensation. He
got on the right side OF the squatters,
a few hundred dollars went q long way.
This settler was bought out. That one
was induced To move and squat Outside
Of the Butler tract. In various ways
the agent acquired all OF the squatters'
rights with their full consent. At the
end of tho year he carried back to the
general tho papers which made him un.
disputed owner OF all Of the valuable
land.