Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-19
Went TO Chicago TO work.

But he soon journeyed on to Chicago.
which had been his destination from the
first. The West was a great field for work
I'm the church, he had been taught In Rome,
and it was for work he wanted to enlist.
Bishop O'Reagan was at the head of the
Chicago diocese. He seized upon the young
ecclesiastic as a treasure, and forthwith
DR.. Butler became professor Of theology III
the seminary of st. Mary of the Lake. On
the succession of Bishop Duggan TO the
Episcopal see, DIR. Butler was made sec
retary to the bishop and chancellor OF the
diocese.
at that time are never tired Of telling
about the sensation created by the voice or
his young priest Most OF them were
notes Issuing from his throat the music OF
the mountain streams Iat home" His
singing lent new interest to the mass and
10 the celebration of the vesper service.
Just then the war broke out. The wor-
Ihipful regard of cathedral parishioners
church were all forgotten at the thought
pf men of his race and religion taking the
hazard Gf battle %sh NO Ss ra 70
ant Mulligan went to the front. DR.. But
YER went with him as chaplain of the regi-
hent. He served under two enlistments
md until the regiment was mustered out,
and there is a tradition among the survI-
fors Of that time that the cheery-voiced;
10 hsrken up his "boys" around the camp
lre with songs redolent of the ould dart"
Eas fighting at close quarters, how TO ban.
lie a musket with the ease of a veteran.
Sentenced TO Death I'm the War.
It was at Lexington. Mo-. that DR.. Butler
Iearly paid with his life for daring military
lervics Through a mistake in the heat of
Ia engarement a rebel field hospital had
been fired on and couple of wounded men
had been killed. Shortly after DR.. Butler
ment, were captured. They were tried BY
drum-head court-martiaf and were SEN
tenced, in retaliation for the hospital affair,
20 death They were 50 certain that their
last hours had come that they distributed
their watches and what other trinkets they
had lmong the negroes. Just as they were
about to be led out and Shot an oficer on
General Price stan recognized Dr. Winer
IS an old sehoolmate; His personal plea
with the rebel commander secured a respite
snd eventually the priest and the surgeon
were paroled.
on his return from ths war DR.. Butler
was made pastor of this Immaculate Con-
Ception church, North Park avenue and
Schiller street. He worked there until 1869.
Then his syesiEht commenced to fail and
he went to Europe for treatment His
brother. Rev. Patrick J. Butler was in
stalled as his successor in the Immaculate
Butler returned from Egrope with his ewes
improved. but his health was such that he
felt unequal Immediately 10 the duties of a
pastorate. For couple Of years he re-
manned IN the parish residence attached to
the Holy Name cathedral, Superior and
Cass streets, the guest of Rev p NJ
Flanagan, then assistant pastor at the ca
thedral, and one Of Dr. Buffers earliest
friends in Chicago.
Charmed All With His Singing.
- shall never forge; how Dr. Butler used
TO sing in those days" said Father FIanni-
gan. who is now pastor Of st Anne's
church, Flty-ufth street and Wentworth
avenue.
He was Q great vocaIist-really a great
artist, whQ would have had an intsrnaIion-
al reputation as a singer If he hai not
been a priest. Every evening he used 10
eing TO US. and such was the charm OF his
voice that Superior street would be Hllad
with a crowd stretching half a block each
way from the house. When he was I'M Ger
many he made the acquaintance of Fr,nz
Abt. the great song writer. who was so
pleased with DIR. Buffers brilliant singing
of Abi's songs that two Of that masters
best works were sfterward dedicated 10
him. Pope Plus TX. was then alive and
he. too, had q fine voice. YOU knoW-lImost
the counterpart OF DIR. Buffers voice DIR
Butler used to initiate the pope's singing
until we could almost ina gine ourselves in
the vatican"
Or Butler had 10 go abroad again On
account Of his eyes and did not return
UntN lSl'. Then he was sent 10 the mar
ish ~ Rockford. They he exhibited an
other side of his ChaFa ter He nor opiy,
built up his own church. but became ore
Of that City's most prominent and public
spirited citizens. Laymen of all denomina
tioUs delighted IN his friendship. lie was
held in such esteem that for years he was
at the head OF the public library hoard
md no public undertaking or movement