St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-15
STORIES ABOUT BUTLER.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 14-By the cath
of Gen. Butler Washington has lost
man who might almost be called land
mark of history. He was one of the
lessening few men who make the civil
war seem reality to the rising genera
ton. His gray head, crowned by soft,
broad-brimmed hat, was often to be
seen abont the city, and the same issue,
OF the morning paper which contained
the notice OF his death contained in an
other column reference to case Gem
Butler was engaged in before the dis
trict court. For nights the death watch
of correspondents has patrolled the
street where Blaine lives, waiting for
the sudden opening of door, the i'm
expected lighting of lamps, or the
sound of mourning to proclaim that the
famous statesman's sutferings are
ended, but quietly in the night. unex-
pectedly, unmatched. Gen. Butler died.
%* 49u6
Then came the anecdotes concerning
him. and every man who knew anything
concerning him told it to his neighbor.
1t was not "nil, nsi bonum' either. for
some of the stories, while creditable to
Buffers wit and shrewdDeSS, are any
thing but complimentary to his per-
sonal character. Butler as cross
examiner was a man to be both feared
and dreaded. He could make the most
honest man appear liar to the jury,
and could so befuddle a harmless wit
ness that black Seemed white and ev-
erything was crooked. There was
never witness could get the better of
him but one. That time. they say, Gen
Rntlpr nnmannh m a
witness whom he had badgered and tor
mented all day in vain attempt to
make the man contradict himself.
Finally Butler drew himself up, and,
looking as stern as man whose eyes
are not agreed car, numbered: DO
you care, sir, to look me in the eye and
say that?'' (Which eye, Genera!?'
meekly inquired the victim.
Gen. Butler never troubled himself to
deny any of the stories touching his
honesty which Dame Rumor busiy cir
culated. In fact, he made them sub
ject for jest. Once upon time, the
story goes, he was dining at cabinet
minister's. The soup came OH smoking
hot, but Gen. Butler alone of all the
guests made no attempt to drink his.
He was evidently little embarrassed,
50 finally his hostess asked him why he
did not eat the soup.
Il have no spoon. madam" he re-
piled. Then, seeing quiet and signifi-
cant smile among the guests at the
mention of spoons. Butler continued
with laugh, II haven't one, really, |
assure you. If you don't believe it, you
may search me.'
80
When Senator Davis is some years
Older. he will look wonderfully like
Gen. Butler in his later days. The
shape of head, and the expression of
face are remarkably similar in the two
men, and Senior Davis skull is not so
thickly matched as it once was. There
is the same droop of the eyelid, and
where Butler was wall-eyed, Senator
Davis has lost the sight of one eye. 1t
is most unfortunate circumstance.
and causes the senator much annoyance,
as he fails at times to recognize even
familiar acquaintance who approach
him on the blind side. His blindness is
the result of exposure for two hours to
the steady glare of an electric light
while makinga campaign speech. This
and a severe cold in the eye combined
to paralyZe the optic nerve.
IL