The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-16
His Demise at the Fffth-Avenae Hotel
I'm New York at sunday Midnight
Heart Trouble the Cause.
HIS CAREER AT THE BAR
SECURED FIRST RECOGNITION OF
CORPORATION EMPLOYEES RIGHTS
His Partnership with senator Me-
Donald-He Accumulated Fortune
Between 100000 and 100000.

John ". Butler. one OF the best-known
and ablest lawyers Indiana ever produced.
died Sunday at midnight at the Fifth
avenue Hotel in New York, OF
heart trouble, complicated with Brights dis
ease. A telegram was received in this city
early this morning from his son-in-law.
Aipheus II. Snow. announcing his demise.
Mr.. Butler was sixty-one years of age.
In June Mr.. Butler left for the seashore
on the advice of his physician. DIR. Henry
Jameson. to obtain absolute quiet and rest.
An attack of the grip had left Mr.. Butler
in a weakened condition and a serious aft
ermath to the grip began to develop. DIR.
weeks ago TO attend his patient. whose III
ness took a serious turn. but in a short
time a slight Improvement was noted His Z
condition remained unchanged for some
Buffers recovery. although he thought
death might be delayed for some time.
For several years Mr.. Butler has been
afflicted with partial deafness. which had
made 1t impossible for him to take part
in many of the affairs of life in social
way, and has made II necessary for him to
trust large part of his business 90 his
partners. This inability to keep in harness
has made his illness all the harder for
him to bear. Last winter he was attacked
by influenza, and was confined 10 his home
for some time. On account or his partial
deafness he did not desire company. be-
cause it was too much trouble for him TO
entertain them 1t is believed that this has
allowed him TO brood TO somc extent over
his illness. which would naturally make IL
more serious than it would otherwise have
been. The attack of influenza was closely
followed by heart trouble. This latter was
later complicated by an attack OF Bright's
disease.
Mr. Butler leaves two children-,forris
Butler, member OF the firm OF Butler.
Snow & Butler. and Mrs. Alpheus II Snow.
the wife of the other member. He was
very successful man in the practice OF
law, and leaves behind a large fortune,
variously estimated at from $4,000 to
100000. 1t is not known what. IL any,, in
surance he carried.
HIS EARLY LIFE.
John Maynard Butler was born In Evans
vile Sept IL, 1894. and was consequently
sixty-one years of age at the time of his
death. His parents we're Calvin Butler and
A~r~.
llneal descendant of Governor Bradford.
of Massachusetts,. Both were natives OF
Vermont. and of strong. sturdy ancestors.
His father followed the trade Of shoe
making until he was thirty years old.
when a desire for education seized him
and he worked his way through Middle
bury College, subsequently taking theo-
logical course at Andover Seminary. Mas
sachusetts. He came West to enter the
ministry, and first settled at Evansville.
The parents being in humble circumstances.
the subject of this sketch forced TO
rely on his own exertions 10 obtain a live
lihood and acquire education. a desire
which he manifested at very early aga
At the age OF twelve he began a career as
a clerk, but, being determined TO acquire
a thorough education. he entered Wabash
College. at Crawfordsville. in 1851. and.
mainly through his own indomitable exc
crtions, succeeded in graduating in 1854
The day on which he obtained his diploma
he was elected TO the presidency OF the
Female Seminary of CrawfordsviIie and
he held the position for three consecutive
years Then he became principal OF the
high school in that city. and at the same
time mapped out and pursued thorough
course In law.
Early in the fall of 1861 he began a tour
OF the Northwestern States, seeking suit
able place to establish in his chosen profess
sion. None suited him well as Craw-
louisville, however. and returning there he
settled down to the practice of the law in
November, 1861. His practice from the start
was success and the first case with which
he was connected was one that successfuliy
passed through the Circuit and Supreme
Courts OF Indiana. thus establishing the
reputation of the young lawyer. From that
time on his practice steadily increased. until
in 1871 he came 10 Indianapolis and became
the partner of Hon. Joseph z. Mcdonald as
successor to Judge A L. Roach Durinr fhe
entire term Of Mr.. Mcdonald as United
States Senator the law business OF the firnI
OF Mcdonald K Butler steadily ASSUMED
larger proportions, Notwithstanding the
senior member OF the firm was absent the
greater part Of the time performing his ofli-
cial duties in Washington.
Until his death Mr.. Butler was an active
member OF the Second Presbyterian Church.
I'm which he long officiated as elder and
member of the board of trustees. AS a
jurist he stood at the head OF the lar ia
the city and State and his insight into tie
intricate problems OF law was almost re-
markable- He never aspired 70 an Office and
always declined nomination, although he
invariably took an active part In State
campaigns In behalf OF the Republican
party. He never failed 10 make "A pro-
found impression as an orator, hts speeches
being always characterized by clear and
profound reasoning.
Mr. Butler was remarkable specimen
of physical manhood. being tail. well mo-
portioned broad-shouldered ;,nd s-ith lace
on which force OF character ard infeliec-
tual power was written in every lineament.
In April 1852 he married . Miss sue
Jennison of Crawfordsyille.
In his political work Mr.. Butler was not
like most of the speakers. He neither had
any aspirations TO hold Office. nor did he
put his time TO the work In the campaign
for any reward. IL was a work OF love
without hope OF other reward than the
feeling OF duty 10 his country well done.
He was always ready and willing TO en-
ter the campaigns and would .ravel over
the State. going where the COMMITTEES
might want him TO CO. but always de-
cIfning 70 accept even his ordinary ex-
penses preferTing 20 pay them hifnself
His last work OF this character WAS at
a mass meeting held during the last state
campaign. He addressed the last n,est:1,x