The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-23
JOHN MAURICE BUTLER's DEATH.
An Operation that Made an Invalid of
Hfm-Fondness for Music.


Mr.. John Maurice Butler, son Of the late
John NJ. Butler, died suddenly yesterday at
noon while at the dinner table. Last week
Mr.. Butler was seriously Ill with pneu-
monia, but he had so far recovered that he
was able to go to the dining room. AT the
table yesterday he had choking sensation
and gasped. His sister, Mrs. Alpheus Snow,
thought 1t a nervous attack and at once
went to telephone for a physician. While
she was gone Mr.. Butler was carried to
lounge by his mother and nurse, but he died
almost instantly. He was so much better
In the morning that there was no thought
of a return OF his illness and his death came
as a terrible shock to his mother and his
many friends, for the news passed with
wonderful rapidity over the city.
Mr.. Butler the only son of Mr. and Mrs.
John III. Butler, was born at Crawfords-
vile. April II. 1856. and came to this city to
live when he was five years Old He attended
wabash College. from which he was grad
uated and afterwards took up the study
of law in his fathers office in this city, and
with his father and brother-in-iaw, under
the name of Butler, Snow az Butler Mr..
Butler has always suffered with iameness
from a contraction OF the muscles OF the
legs ever since he was child. -Four years
ago this summer he went to Europe win
his father and was benefited by the Journey.
He was a devoted lover Of music and had
bass voice of wonderful depth and power
and withal of a sweet and tender quality
He had studied under Mr. Arens and others
and was the bass Soloist In the Second Pres
byterian Church for several years.
Two years ago last winter he made all ar
rangements TO go 10 New York TO study
music and his friends were surprised when
he suddenly changed his mind and decided
TO go into the Allen Surgical Institute for
treatment for his lameness. A serious oper-
alton was performed; He underwent the
that by bearing II, he would be relieved or
his affiiction, but this treatment, instead
OF benefiting him in the least, made con-
firmed invalid of him and his health rapid
ly declined. A year ago last winter he went
10 Florida, accompanied by Mrs. Snow, and
in the warm climate he felt stronger The
following summer he spent at the seashore
winter he went with Mr. and Mrs. Snow TO
Egypt. spending the few months abroad In
the south. They returned to this country
few weeks ago. Mr. Butler has been able
to ride out and receive friends at his home
He was great reader and student. He kept
abreast of all the best literature of the
times, but his absorbing passion was music.
1t was almost contradiction that strong
voice could belong to such physique a.
his He was always generous with his gift
and not only used ii for his family and
friends. but for Charitable entertainmenfs.
He was a young man of strong character
and In the memory Of his friends he will
ever be hero for his checrfulness and BRAY
cry in enduring pain; He was loyal friend
The death of Mr. Butler takes the last OF
q quartet or boys who were the stanchesi
OF friends, Maurice Butler, Frank Ward
| Joseph Shipp and Charles Tapking. Mr. But
| Ter used often 10 express wonder that the
| others were taken and he, with his lame
| ness. was left. He had a number OF CIR
friends with whom he was great favorit'
| tention, enjoying music and books together
Through all OF his illness be had mos