The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-02

THE EX-CONGRESSMAN'S BROTHER
COMES HERE FROM IOWA.
He Thinks an Attempt Was Made ia
Murder JamcS-Mr. Powell Re-
Dukes Him.

James Butler, the brother or the Iowa
ex-Congressman who has attracted so much
attention recently, arrived in the city yes
terday and identified the man here as Wal
ter Butler. But notwithstanding this con-
elusive identification, the case is still
shrouded in mystery, and superintendent
Powell is not altogether satisfied with the
statements which have been made TO him.
The brother James has failed TO throw any
light upon the case. He says the local
department fails to understand the situa-
ton at OelweIn, where it is still believed
by some that Walter Butler is dead. He
offered explanation of his many tele-
grams. Mr.. James Butler was inclined to
be somewhat officious at police headquarters
and the Superintendent rebuked him rather
severely. Mr.. Butler also has contempt
for the newspapers, and seems unable to
appreciate their efforts in locating his
brother.
You seem inclined to find fault with me-
remarked James Butler to Superin- andent
Powell.
YES 1 have fault to find replied Mr..
Powell, land frankly 1 must say you have
acted more like insane man in this af-
fair than has your brother. You have
flooded this department with kilograms,
after I told you emphatically had your
brother here. You have wanted us TO take
his photograph if he was a criminal.
There is something in this case which has
not come to light
James Butler made some explanations,
but he was cut short with the queries:
why did you telegraph regarding
Attorney Phillips? Why did you object
to him seeing your brother"
Simply because he is the worst enemy
Walt has. He has some object in ccfnlng
here. All the time Mr.. Phillips has been
telling the most absurd stories about the
disappearance of my brother" was The re-
ply;
very much a gentleman While here. and
impressed us all as being man Who knew
what he about" answered Mr.. Powell,
with a little trace of irony IL. his voice.
James Butler left with his brother Walter.
The latter thanked the Superintendent for
his trouble and kindness but james said
not word. The two brothers will be III
the city for day or two, until funds can
arrive.
While Mr.. Butler, the .ex-Congressman,
was waiting at police headquarters for the
arrival of his brother, he wrote the follow
ing lines, which said by him to be
original:
The New Year! What a flood of thought
comes rushing to the mind
AS the hopes of brighter future veil the
sorrows left behind.
Mists and darkness dispelling. Clouds
give way to glowing sun,
While our best of friends speak, Courage!
Life for you has just begun.
Brood not Ger mistakes and lapSeS Best
of men may sometimes fall.
Life is seldom all successes-many failures
come to all.
Standing firm is not the feature, that de-
clares man true and great,
But to rise from every failure, and o'ercome
an adverse fate"
James Butler thinks his brothers condi-
ton is due to blow on the head. lie says
there is nothing in the family history to
indicate hereditary insanity, and that his
home relations were such would lead
to anything but insanity. From this he
argues that his brothers condition is the re-
suit of a blow. AS soon money arrives
the two will go to Cleveland to consult DIR.
hTnt hnr in roY1 no
case.
The circumstances of the disappearance
are what leads James Butler to think as he
does. The ticket agent at Oelw en Ia. says
he remembers positively that he sold Wal
ter Butler round-trip ticket and was able
to give the number on account of it being
pom of the ticket has been
railroad company's Office, properly
cancelled, but the conductor of the train,
get the ticket from him. but that he paid
his fare in cash, receiving 10 cents in
change. From these facts and from the fact
that it is supposed Butler was about to
game of poker, his brother argues that an
attempt was made to murder him, and that
his present condition is the result OF a, blow
on the head.
The theory is not sound for several rea-
sons. If murder was contemplated for gain
the murdererS would not have left enough
money on his victims person for him to
pay his fare and expenses to this place If
committed the deed would hardly have
taken the railroad ticket. Besides that it
is hardly to be supposed that a person who
would commit murder for some other pur-
pose than robbery would take the chances
of detection by using a railroad ticket
taken from his victims pocket.