The Portland daily press., 1893-01-12
RARE BEN BUTLER.
His Death a Startling Surprise to
Every One.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF HIS
SUDDEN TAKING OFF.


Death-The Epitaph He Desired for
HimseIf-His Estate Amounts to
Seven Million Dollars
WASHINGTON January 11.-During the
present winter Gen. Butler has been in
terested in case in the United States
Supreme Court which demanded his at
tention and constant residence in this
city. A week ag !, the case was decided
against him: whether or not the loss of
this case, to which he had paid such
close attention brought anything more
than the sorrow of casual defeat, will
never be known.
His death created an immense sur
prise, as it was not even known that he
was ailing, any more than any man who
had lived and labored so long as he. The
announcement this morning that he had
died at half-past one from ilure of the
heart. created more than little surprise
and at that hour of the night details OF
his taking off were very meager. General
Butler was accompanied to this city by
his valet, West, colored man, who has
been with him for fifteen or sixteen
years.
the General was attacked with fit of
coughing which awakened the man SER
want, who always occupied an adjoining
room. Meanwhile he had gone to the
bath room adjoining, whittier his valet
hastened and offer d his assistance. The
General said his expectoration had been
discolored with blood. He did not ap-
pear to think seriously of the matter,
however, and after his valet had assisted
him to his bed, he said, "That's all,
West, you need not do anything more,"
and apparently went to sleep.
He had lain on his bed but few mo
ments, however, when his heavy breath
ing against aroused alarm. Mr.. Lanier
Dunn, his nephew by marriage, who re-
sided in the same house, started out IN
search of medical assistance. 1t was
fully fifteen minutes before he could
secure aid and then when he returned
with DR.. Luce, it was seen that the gen
eral was in extremis. The doctor SO in
formed his two nieces, Miss Stevens and
Mrs. Dunn, who were at his bedside, and
death ensued almost Immediately. The
end was apparently painless.
He was at the war department. during
the afternoon, and after his return to the
house he ate dinner, after which he sat
pleasantly chatting with the members of
household. He retired about IL o'clock,
apparently as " ell as ever. The General
was in the seventy-fourth year of his
age. His daughter, Mrs. General Ames,
is at Highlands. N. j., and his son, Paul,
at Lowell, Mass. On his way here from
New York n Friday, Gen. Butler was
taken sick on the train, but had recover
ed.
Yesterday he caught heavy cold,
which produced pneumonia, and that in
turn caused failure of the heart. which
was the immediate cause of DEATH
Strange to say, he had only the day
previous said at the dinner table that he
wonld die like a flash and that some
morning they would find him dead in
his bed. He had no dread of sudden
death, on the contrary, he had frequent
ly said he would prefer to go sud enly
rather than linger and suffer. He spoke
of Mr.. Blaine in this connection at din
ner, and asked how he was. He re-
marked, HE will outlive us all yet"
The interment will take place at Lowell,
Mass, in the family lot, where lay the
remains of his wife and his son Benja-
min, the latter Of whom died in 1876.
CONCORD, N. H., January lin the
Senate, Mr.. Lyman of Exeter introduced
the following, which passed both branch
eS:
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives concurring, That the
legislature and people of New Hamp-
shire have heard with profound sorrow
of the death of Major General Benjamin
F. Butler, one of the most distinguished
SONS OF New Hampshire.
Resolved, That we hereby express our
high regard for his distinguished servic-
ces in Congress, and as a great leader
and commander during the late Rebel
lion.
Resolved, That we tender our sympa-
thy and coincidence to his family in
their great affliction.
LOWELL, Mass, 11.-Mayor Pickman
has called a special meeting of both
branches of the city council for tomor-
row evening to take action regarding
Gen. Buffers death. Flags in all public
building were ordered half mast.
BOSTON, January 11.-This afternoon
Governor Russell has sent to the legsla-
ture message announcing the death of
Gen. Butler and recommending that suit
able action be taken.
Gen. Buffers funeral will probably be
| held in ST. Anne's Episcopal church in
Lowell Saturday afternoon. In speech
in Lowell January 20, 1890, Gen. Butler
said, when you bear me to that little
enclosure on the other side of the river
which hope for as my last resting place,
pray you put over me for my epitaph.
"Here lies the general who saved the
lives of his soldiers at Big Bethel and
Fort Fisher, and who never commanded
the Army of the Potomac" Il ask" he
said, ''for nothing else"
General Buffers wealth is estimated at
$7,0OO,OO0. He owned half a million OF
real estate in Washington and as much
more in Lowell. He was interested in
manufacturing at various points and had
a large share in the American Bunting
Company of Lowell. Among his west
ern investments were the Craig ranch of
100, 900 acres in Colorado, three-fourths
of the Mora grant Of 100000 acres in
New Mexico and his large holdings in
the San Miguel Consolidated Gold Placer
Mining Company, of which he was pres
ideut. His heirs apparent are his son
Paul Butler, his daughter and his two
nieces, Miss Nesmith and Miss Webster,
of Lowell.