The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-17

His services were often secured. particu-
larry in the federal courts. throughout The
more frequently at the bar OF the Supreme
Court OF the United States. He gave with
out stint his whole time and talents TO the
analrs or his clens- He rarely unstrunE
his bow. Possessed OF great physical and
mental powers. the time came. and came
too soon, when the long-taxeu faculties
ceased 10 rtspond further 10 the continuous
and heavy demands made upon them. and
his life went out IL Was brilliant. lie Sc
cured TO the toIlers on corporate property
recognition and protection In their work
He brought forward and permanently es-
tablished many wholesome principles In our
Jurisprudence"
Bench: John NJ Butler was one OF thu
brainiest men of the Indiana bar. and was
a great credit TO Il. He was OF the best
was strong. able. clean. logical. and always
thoroughly versed in every phase of tha
suinr nS1 WbiIe IN he me never ero seemea 10 oe be ~s active
In politics., he was yet a prominent figure
in every campaign as a speaker. and his
addresses covered the whole ground OF dts
cussion in an irresistible way. The State
has lost an eminent and most distinguished
citizen and the bar Z very brilliant iIenI.
Ell r. Ritter. John NJ Butler mace -
success OF his professional career. There IS
no mystery as TO how he did IL. He took
time and pains 10 secure a good education
the 'o 0psc On no business o. any sind r ouas'a ee
ability and worked day and night at the
one line Of business. In fact, 1 have no
doubt that he shortened his life by over
work. He paid the price demanded by sue
reward"
Regarding the life ana character of the
deceased attorney W. p. Fishback had this
10 say: Il became acquainted with Mr.. Butt
Ter thirty odd years ago when he was an at
established a reputation as the best collecs-
ing lawyer in that region. HI was prompt.
careful and bad the confidence OF every
hndu uha had f~r11 Elm U{fh him
| knew him as correspondent OF our firm
before / knew him personally. The firm OF
Mcdonald d Butler afterward had the Lead
Ing practice In all heavy federal court BUSH
ness for many years. Their practice also
illinois. Ohio. Michigan and tennessee. es-
pecially. In fact. their practice extended TO
more States than that of any other firm
of lawyers here. and wherever Mr.. Butler
went his ability was recognized. l never
knew an attorney who 90 thoroughly identi-
fed himself with the cause Of his client,
or one who fought with more vigor and
persistence. 1t might be said Of him, gen
lawyer In Indiana, and his chief practice
for the last fifteen years was In corporation
cases: TIL firm also had q large business
In collection and Mr.. Butler stood in the
front ranks Of advocates in the Western
bar. His written and briefs were
prepared with great care and labor, ana
while he may at times have been regarded
as too elaborate. IL must also be said that
he never omitted anything necessary 10 be
urged for his side Of the case. Il has been
increased his Intellectual power and SO Il
is true that the partial deafness. which has
been alluded to. while X deprived ~. But
intercourse. tended greatly to strengthen
his Intellectual powers and add TO his ab.l-
IL wy ss a u lssS knew he how Was so s ons OF sar the or f sis
property. He never INDUCED In speculation
but invested his earnings 5udiciously and
managed his property with great discre-
ID
"Mr. Butler literally died in the harness.
He took no pleasures IN what are called
doubt that his intense and unremitting ap.
TO the duties Of his profession
tended greatly to shorten his life"
br AIdtG sns ex S9en Z; p !!9ehn s N Rusler.v ~ he
said. "was a strong man and an able ana
learned lawyer, Industrious. persistent: yho
always made the cause of his client his
Newton Harding, who was chairman OF
the county committee during the most lie
a campaign orator, said: Il have known
John M. Butler personally for eight or ten
years and. while we younger members OF
the bar regarded him as a very close ana
great lawyer. we also. or at least / felt
perfect ease and liberty to ask his opinion
on any legal proposition: as ne always gave
sought after by younger members Of the
bar, but was accepted by the rvofes:ion-
as generally the safe guide. 1 regard him
of my personal acquaintance. Prom
a political standpoint my observa-
ton has been that the Republican
throughout the State. in every political cam
paign, both State and national. found him
one Of the greatest liv:ns 5escn FER ,6 or ,sef
ten years have not only been read with
great interest by politicians, but they nave
been distributed In pamphlet form as a
means of educating the voters OF the state.
as much. II not more. than those OF any
other man I'm the party
sn RoSee on, W.. k MS5 WORDS q Of an 5o sasa NJ in1 Butter is.
1 fe re ws a e sG him '' as one Of the strongest
laE EyeJsa tns state nS Walker dSsr ps"SHaee' had q
man OF rare attachments: He had few
surpassed him in metal sisor. force or
power of argument. In cases where ne
had the right. as he viewed II. he was
State ever did as much hard work in
the same time as he did. His practice was
probably more LUCRATIVE than that OF any
He had no controversies with his clients
on the question of fees. He perhaps
! more ore i i%poartsp's causes OF lsad ins! and
prominent questions than any a,tornsx
in the West. knew him intimately ana
well He MAS kind t siwins and n nsVsr ssw
CITY Attorney Scott. who was Intimately
associated with John Nj Butler through
much Of the street-car litigation. said: 4
have known Mr.. Butler for many years
but most Intimately during the last two
years while we were associated IN Inn
litigation In which ] had the priv.
Ilege or retaining him as special counsel
for the city. I have always admired M
great abilities and achievements at the
bar, but the latter relations between us
caused me TO appreciate equally those
Of character which endeareo nm
to those who knew him well. The city suners
counsel and able services. His family
friends. community and the State suner a
Judge Baker. of the United States Court:
"John NJ. Butler arose by an indomitaole
viii. a broad mind and a love or his pro-
fession, from a humble place IN Ire To-
high place at the bar OF the stare ana
the Unitei States. ! knew ain well ana
respected him greatly. The last time
heard him. in public Was In the Cnited
Sfafea Court at Chicago last spring.
then that i had never heard
lucid and able argument he was q
Noble &. Butler. clerk OF the United
states Court: mr.. Butler enjoyed a large
parf of the railroad and corporation litiga-
ion brought I'm the United States Courts
represented very large interests NOT
onIy in the federal court here. but In the
seventh judicial district. He Was a care
painstaking man, and very lnoustrlous
hi the MANAGEMENT Of cases. >ofbing IN
he way OF details from the greatest 10
he smallest seemed TO escape him.
xvru-- Torlor raid The Two ruling