Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-01-14


h. r. BUTLER. where. During this
winter case which had been decided
against him in the highest 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 it was not even known he was
ailing any more than q man who had
lived and labored 30 long would. The
announcement of his death this morn
ing from failure of the heart created
more than a little surprise. and ut this
hour of the night details of his taking
off are more than meager.
BIOGRAPHICAL
BENJAMIN Franklin Butler, twenty ninth gov.
ernor OF Massachusetts, was born In Deerheld.
N H.. November 8. 1873 He was OF colonial
stock. his grandfather, Capt Zephaniah But
ler- of Woodbury., Conn, having fought under
Gen. Wolfe. ut Quebec, and In the continental
army during the revolution.
Bentamin's father, John Butler, was captain
Of dragons, who served under Gen jackson OF
New Orleans His mother was descendant or
the Cilleys, o New Hampshire family OF Scotch"
Irish origin.
Benjamin was the youngest OF the family
and being nt an early age an earnest student'H
was determined that he should go to college
II was his desire TO onter West Point but TINS
being found impracticable. he was sent at the
age Of 10 TO waterville college. now Colby uni
yersity, where he graduated in 1888 In his
twentieth wear he went to Lowell and studied
In O law ONCE, teaching part OF the time In
order to defrNy his expenses
In 1910 he was admitted 10 the bar. He ut onco
showed himself in his practice man OF remark.
ably acute understanding great fertility OF re-
source and lightning QuclSness In devices to
defeat his adverslrles. in which particulars no
is said 10 have surpassed all rivals ut the New
England bar.
After ten years practice ut Lowell, Mr. But
Ter opened an once In Boston. He early TOOK
an active part In politics, never failing to at
tend the national conventions OF the democratic
party He was elected amember OF the Massa-
chusetts legislature in 1858, and OF the state
senate In 1889
In December, 1880. after the election OF Mr..
Lincoln, Mr. Butler was OF Washington in con-
ference with tho democrats. When the states
began sending forward troops Mr. Butler lent
his MD In Massachusetts to prepare the soldiers
for active service, for, although uemocrat no
was u strong union man.
Massachusetts, he marched 10 Annapolis, and
was placed in command OF that district includ-
ing Baltimore On MAY 10, ut the head OF 0OO
men, he entered Baltimore, OF that time In q
state OF ferment, occupied the city, ana on Inc
10th was appointed major general and put In
command Of Fortress Monroe and the depart
ment Of eastern Virginia
This peaceful occupation OF Baltimore was
considered one OF the most remarkable feats or
All Ia a.A oil
was characteristic; OF the man A number or
slaves having come within his line. demand
was made that they be delivered up 70 their
masters The status Of these refugees not haVs
ing been fixed Gen Butler settled IL by refus-
ing to give them up asserting that they Wero
contraband OF war and during the continuance
OF the struggle tho blacks were known Us con
trabnnds."
In + ehruary 1881. he was assigned to tho
command Of the land forces destined 70 CO.
operate with the navy in an attack upon New
Orleans. On MAY I Gen. Butler took possession
of the CITY Of New Orleans and in the midst OF
a furious mob moved through the principal
streets 10 the custom houss, which he entered
and occupied.
The federal soldiers had hard time OF It in
New Orleans, md but for the strong hand ana
determined will OF Gen. Butler the conditions
would probably have been much worse tnan
they were. His course was unuoupteuiy hoF
trarv AMI severe, but history VIII prooaoiy
Justify 1t under the conditions OF intense ani'
mostly which existed.
In 1888 the Massachusetts, republicans elected
Gen Butler q member Of congress, ana, with
the exception OF two ears, he continued In the
house of representatives until lsTa Gen. But
Ter practically conducted the case against the
defendant during the impeachment proceed
iugs IN the case OF President Andrew Johnson
In 1880 Gen Butler supported the nomination
of Gen Hancock for president the hrst demo-
cratic candidate receiving his support since tho
war. In 1852 the democratic part; OF Massa-
chusetts nominated Gen. Butler for governor
and he was iriumphantly elected.
Gen. Butler married in 1859 Sarah Hiloretn.
daughter OF DR. IsrAel Hiidreth. OF Lowell VINO
had been for nve years previously "a actress,
but who had retired from the stage on her mcr-
it's She died In Boston. April 9, iSi6