The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-03
TOUCHING TRIBUTE ID ARCHIBALD BUTT President Taft and Augusta
 Join in Memorial FLAGS AT HALF MAST
oe the Up'sea y'tates Comes Near ColIapsing Twice in Eulo-
 gizing His Late Aide-Busi-
 ness Pract ically Suspended

Augusta, Ga, May 2.-Coming as a friend to pay a tribute to the memory of a friend. President Taft spent today in Augusta as the guest of honor for the occasion of the city's memorial service to the memory of Major Butt, one of the victims of the Titanic disaster of April IA The memorial services were followed by an informal reception at the Commercial club, where MT. Taft met many of his old friends and afterward the President was entertained at the home of Landon Thomas. He left on his return to Wash ington at 3:50 p. m.
 Augusta was Major Butts home and for some hours today business was practically suspended while memorial services were conducted in the Grand opera house.
 Flags at Haif Mast
 Flags were at half mast on most of the public buildings, and thousands of peo- ple crowded around the opera house anx- ious to hear President Taft speak.
 Other speakers on the programme in addition to the President were Maj. Joseph B. cummins of Augusta and the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Gaylor. bishop of Tennessee.
 President Taft reached Augusta at o'clock. He was a breakfast guest of Mayor Barrett. After a reception at the Commercial club late today he left for Washington this evening, where he is due tomorrow morning early.
 Mr. Taft was visibly affected by the tributes paid to Major Butt. There were tears in his eyes as he called up memories of the man who was his aide ever since he entered the White House. and who had travelled thousands of miles with him.
 Almost Collapses
 MT. Taft made only brief eulogy. He came near collapsing twice.
 ''Never did know how much he was to me until he was dead" said tile Presi- dent. Lacking nothing of self respect a,d giving up nothing he owed to himself he conducted himself with singleness of purpose which added to the happiness and comfort of those around him, and es- pecially to the man called his chief. To many fine qualities he added loyalty. and when he became one of my associates he became as son or brother"
 Mr. Taft told how he met Major Butt first in the Philippines and later as aide to President Roosevelt. He dwelt on Major Butts devotion to MT. Roosevelt and himself.
 Butts Greatest Sorrow
 Tt has always seemed to me-. said the President, that Archie never married because he loved his mother so much The greatest sorrow of his life was wher she left him"
 Tine President concluded with the spirit of self sacrifice of his aide.
 self abnegation, he said. '.grew to be part of his nature. He did not choose his time to die. but he died like a man.
 Demonstration of Affection
 Today's exercises were regarded as the most remarkable demonstration of affec- tion for a citizen ever seen in Augusta While the exercises were set for Il o'clock. the theatre was filled to overflow inr by 10 o'clock The building was drsped in mourning and effective use was made of a large United States flag and inc hundreds of floral offerings sent bS friends. Thomas Barrett. Jr.. presided over the exercises and the addresses were ali touching Major Cummings dwelt or Major Butts boyhood; Bishop Gailor or his four years at Sewanee, and President Taft on the deceased as a friend and aide The music was an exquisite feature oi the service.
 At o'clock this afternoon Bishop Gailoi conducted the burial service at St. Paul's church.
 At the breakfast given to the President this morning by Thomas Barrett. IT, there were % guests.