Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-02-08
Stories Of Ben Butler.

An exchange has collected numerous
readable anecdotes of the late Cen Is. +.
Butler. Here are some of the best
Gen. Butler believed in preparing his
cases thoroughly, and to that end at dit
ferent times applied himself to the study
of almost every variety of business aud
many of the sciences. He stored his
mind with medical knowledge in order
TO deal with insanity cases or cases of dis
ease; he worked in machine shop to
ascertain the capabilities Of iron 10 resist
pressure, and be learned TO run loco
motive. 1t was one of his maxims that
the lawyer who sat in his Office and pre-
pared his cases solely upon statements
made to him by his client was likely to
be beaten.
A story is preserved about him TO show
how he gained reputation for being
sharp while he was yet very young
LAWYER. A man named Elijah Record,
who had stolen door keys from doors, was
indicted in Middlesex county for larceny.
The authorities had long wanted this
man, and felt that at last they had secur-
ed him. The City Marshall Of Lowell,
hearing that Gen. butler was 10 defend
Record, taunted him with having hope
less case and said that if he succeeded in
getting Record off he would throw up bis
commission.
After the prosecution had submitted
all the evidence, proving theft beyond
question. Gen. Butler raised the point
that the man had not committed larceny,
the crime for which he was indicted
he showed that larceny was taking per-
soDal property, and that a key in door
was not personal property, but under the
law then existing was real estate. Since
the taking of real estate was not larceny,
he argued that the case should be dis
missed, and it was done.
Gen. Butler was fond of telling a story
about his visit to Washington after sue
cessiul operations at Hatteras. He ar
rived at night and called up Mr.. Fox,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Mr..
Fox suggested that they go at once to the
White House and inform Mr. Lincoln OF
the good news. Mr.. Lincoln had retired
but came out into his office in his night
dress. n costume that added TO his APP
pearance of extreme height. Mr.. Fox
was n man not more than five foot high.
As soon as the news WIS reported to MIR.
Lincoln he opened his arms, Mr.. Fox
fell into them, grasping the President
about the hips, and they flew around the
room once or twice in what Gen. Butler
described as the most exciting waltz des-
habille TO which he had ever been wit
ness
In an early case the audacity which
has always distinguished Gen. Butler IN
court was displayed most effectively. The
case being called in court the young law
yer said, in the usual way, "Let notice
be given"
"In what paper ?" was the inquiry OF
the gray.haired clerk of the court,
staunch Wing.
'In the Lowell Adrertiser," said the
young Democratic lawyer, naming a
Jackson paper.
81 don't know such paper said the
Wing clerk disdainfully.
Don't interrupt the court proceedings,
Mr. Clerk, said the lawyer, "for if you
begin to tell us what you don't know
there will be no time for anything else"
Gen. Buffers promptness Of retort is
proyerbial. Another well-remembered
case of this sort occurred at later day.
He was cross questioning a witness in
somewhat sharp manner and the Judge
interposed, reminding the lawyer that
the witness was a Harvard professor.
al know it, your Honor" was the re-
ply. 1--WE hanged one of lnem the other
dav"
81 see old Ben Buffers gone at last, "
said Maj. Edward Downing, of Boston,
to the ST. Louis Giobe-DemOcrat. LET
me tell you a story on the old man that
has never been printed, at least il it has
| have never heard of it. You know
one of our greatest holidays in Massa-
chusetts is Fast Day, and it comes along
in April. 1t is the duty Of the Govern
or to issue a proclamation setting the
day apart and exhortiDg the citizens Of the
State to lay aside all their earthly pur-
suits and devote the day to fasting and
PRAYER. Well, when Ben was Gov
ernor he had a mighty hard row to hoe.
There were all sorts of editors in the State
,vbo laid for him with a scalping knife