Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-08
FAREWELLS TO REV. BuTLER
Those Who Knew Him as a Citis.n Express
Their Regret
HIS PROMINENT PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY
Fraternal and Commercial organiSR-
tions Unite TO Hid Him Godspced
to His New Home-Thurston
Rifles Lose Their chaplain.

Representatives Of almost all divisions OF
the civic and social life Of Omaha gathered
in the rooms OF the Commercial club last
night TO express to Rev. $. Wright Butler
their regret over his impending departure
and TO bid him Godspeed wherever he might
go. The earlier part OF the evening was
given over to reception and luncheon. c.
5. Hayward then called for the attention
OF those present to the fsrewelis which
would be made on behalf OF numerous or
ganizations with which Dr. Butler had been
connected.
Rev. T. j. Mackay spoke on behalf OF the
clergy of the city. He referred with feel
ing to the peculiar hold which Rev Butler
had upon those with whom he associated
and the effective yet tender and thoughtful
ways he had OF reaching their hearts.
W. r. Bennett, for the knights OF Ak
Sar- Ben, began with story. but soon
turned to the more serious side OF the oc
casion. He did not confine himself to the
feelings OF the members of that organiZa-
tion alone, but touched upon those Of the
citizens at large, whose interests Rev. But
Ter had served so long. He declared that
Omaha was losing a great man, one from
whom no one, coming to ask favor. had
ever been turned away without comfort.
Cadet Taylor for the Thurston Rifles, the
members OF which could not be present to
bid their old chaplain farewell in person,
told If the gratitude with which not only
the members of the company. but their
parents as we'll. thought OF Rev. Buffers
kind Offices to them. When the company
came home, he said the boys would find
one whose greeting they were looking for
ward to not here 10 welcome them, but
the distance to his new home in the east,
great though it was TO be, would not be
barrier to keep him from meeting them
again some day. He sincerely hoped that
day was not far distant.
CIarkson Heard From.
Major T $. Clarkson recalled the strenu-
Gus efforts Rev. Butler had put forth for
Omaha and the Transmississippi Exposition
throughout the southern and central states.
The city. he said, would never have been
so widely or favorably known had it not
had such man as the one about to leave
to send forth as its missionary. He had
told the people OF other states OF the splen-
did city and it's achievements and they had
wondered whether such things could come
out OF the west. They had come and had
found that it was all true. There had been
many days. Major Clarkson said when the
prospect was dark and il seemed that the
exposition must close its doors for lack
of funds. In those times the sturdy hope
fulness and faith OF Rev. Butler had brought
the leaders in the enterprise worlds Of
comfort.
E. A. Benson. speaking for the Real Es-
tate exchange and for the business interests
generally, told in how many ways the city
would realize that Rev. Butler was gone.
When there was an honored guest to be
toasted OF to be welcomed with that ex-
qusite tact which put entertainers and
entertained at perfect ease. he would be
missed When voice was needed to stir
the people to the Importance OF great civil
questions he would be missed. as he would
mcst of all when there was occasion 10
plead with willing but somewhat heed
less people for a worthy charity. Mr.. Ben
son emphasized particularly the valuable
part Rev. Butler had played in the COM
mercial life OF the city.
l. R. Andrews bade Rev. Butler a regret
full farewell on behalf of all OF his brother
Masons. He told OF his first meeting with
hm at a Masonic banquet and initiation,
saying that Rev. Buffers influence had
drawn the Masons OF Omaha together in
unity and brotherly regard for each other
as they had never been before. They had at
first seen a man OF small stature. but as
before them intellectually, spiritually, fra
ternally and in every way. He was sure
that wherever ne might go he would with
the trowel of Masonry lay firmly the cement
of brotherly love among men.
In conclusion Rev. Butler replied to the
farewells that had been extended to him.
While they might be inaccurate to eX-
act facts, he said, in purpose and sincerity
OF feeling they were entirely true and he
gratefully accepted them. He accepted them
as true so far as the honesty Of his intent
to serve the city and his people was con-
cerned, bec;ulse on this, the evening OF
parting. there could be no trace OF false
ness in their words to him. He had come
among them because he had been straying
among the arbors of Gods world seeking
some cool nook In which to shelter himself,
and the people OF this city had opened
their doors wide He had entered and
been regaled with the greatest liberality
and had enjoyed his life among them to the
utmost. There had been no sacrifices, no
efforts on his part. 1t had all been made