Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-19


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 a man who had
lived and labored SO long would The
announcement of his death this morn
ing from failure of the heart created
more than little.surprise, and at 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.
y. H. November D. 1913 He was of colonial
stock, his grandfather, Capt Zephaniah But
Ter of Woodbury., Conn, having fought under
Gen Wolfe, at Quebec, and in the continental
army during the revolution.
Ben lmin's father, John Butler. was a captain
of dragons, who served under Gen Jacks IN a.
New Orleans His mo her was descendant OF
the Cilleys o New Hampshire family OF Scotch
Irish origin.
Benjamin was the youngest of the family
and being at an early age an earnest student it
determined that he should go to college.
1t was his desire TO enter West Point but this
being found impractici BILE, he sent at the
age of Is TO Waterville college. Colby uni
versty, where he graduated in 1888 In his
twentieth he went Lowell and studied
in law Office, teaching part of the time in
order to defray his expenses
In 1910 he admitted 10 the bar. Tie at once
showed himself in his practice man of remark
ably acute unders landing great fertility of re-
source and lightning QuickueSs in devices to
defeat his advers Iries in which particulars hs
is said to have surpassed all rivals at the New
England bar
After ten years practice at Lowell. Mr.. But
Ter opened office in Boston. He early took
active in nOiiticS. failiQI
tend the national conventions of the democratic
party. He was elected member of the Massa-
chusetts legislature in 1853 and of the state
senate in 1859
In December 1850 after the election OF Mr.
Lincoln, Mr. Butler at Washington in con-
ference with the democrats. When tile states
began sending forward troops Mr.. Butler lent
his aid in Massachusetts 10 prepare the soldiers
for active service for al Thou gh 4 democrat he
a strong union man.
On the 18th of April. 1851, with the Eighth
Massachusetts, he marched TO Annapolis, and
wac placed in command of that district inclGd-
ing Baltimore On Nav 49, at the head of go
men. he entered Baltimore, at that time in a
state OF ferment occupied the city, and on the
10Th was appointed m jor general and put in
command of Fortress Monroe and the depart
lnent of eastern Virginia
This peaceful occupation of Baltimore was
considered one of the most remarkable feats of
the war. Gen Buffers attitude toward slavery
charl cteristi; of the man. a number Of
slaves having come within mis- line demand
was made that the be delivered I'D to their
masters The status OF these refugees not hav-
ing been fixed Gen. Butler settled il by refus-
ing to give them up, asserting that thew were
contraband of war AMI during the continuance
of the struggle the blacks were known con-
trabaudS"
In & ebruary, 1881, he was assigned to the
command of the land forces deS tined to
operate with the navy in attack upon New
Orleans. On May Gen. Butler took possession
OF the CITY of New Orleans and in the midst OF
furious mob moved through the principal
streets tho custom house, which he entered
and occupied.
The federal soldiers had hard tim of it in
New Orleans, and but for the strong hand and
determined will OF Gen. Butler the conditions
would probably have been much wo than
they were. His course was undoubtedly arbi-
trarv ana severe, but history will probably
justify it under the conditions of intense ami
mostly which existed.
In 1856 the Massachusetts republicans elected
Gen Butler a member OF congress, and, with
the exception of two Years, he continued in the
house of representation until 1874 Gen. But
Ter practically conducted the against the
defendant during the impeachment proceed
inGs in ths case OF President Andrew Johnson.
In 1880 Gen Butler supported the nomina ton
of Gen Hancock for president, the first demo-
cratic candidate receiving his support since the
war In 1882 the democratic part OF Massa-
chcsettS nominated Gen. Butler for governor
and he was lriumphan elected.
Gen. Butler married in ISj2 Sarah Hildrcth,
daughter OF DR. Isrle Hitdreth of Lowell, who
had boen for five years previously actress,
but who had retired from the stage her mer-
its She died in Boston. April ,, 1874