The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-16
TAFT PAYS TRIBUTE
TO FORMER AIDE
Speaks Fcclingly of "Archic"
Butt as Southcrncr, Through
and Through.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE DEDICATED
Simple But Impressive Exercises
at Augusta, Home of Ii
tanic Hero.

Augusta, Ca. April 15.--Simplc but
impressive oxcrciscs attended the dcdi-
cation here to-day OF the Butt Me-
mortal Bridge. erected rs a tribute to
tho memory OF tho late Major Archi-
bald WillinGham Butt. aide TO former
Presidents Taft and Roosevelt. who
pcriyhed I'm the Titanic disaster on
April IA. 1912. Former President Taft
delegation or Masons from the Tenn
pie Moves Lodge. OF Washington. OF
which Major Butt was member. local
Masons and members OF tho Butt Me-
mortal Association, participated In tho
services which were hcld on the hand
come new bridge spanning the canal
at Fifteenth and Greene Streets
Arrangements had been completed
FOR the dedication 10 be held yesterday
afternoon. but on account or rain 1t
was necessary to postpone the ccrc-
monies until to-day
The formal dedication OF tho bridge
was preceded by the laying OF a cor
nerstone with ritualistic ceremony by
the Masons.
Former President Taft. tho nrst
speaker spoke feel!ngly OF his formcr
aide Rs "Southerner. through and
through"
~ IKE to think of him" said Mr..
Taft. ''as the best type OF tho New
South with Its fun flavor OF the chiv-
alrous and patriotic sentiment OF the
old South. strengthened by tho trials
Of war and It's consequences mcllowed
by success In It's struggles against oh
stacles after the war. and turned Into
the deepest loyalty 20 the flag by the
Spanish American War, and scnse
OF fun share, in tho power and re-
sponsibNity OF The government OF the
country.
''IIc Was southerner through and
through lie had the traditions OF the
south deep seated In his nature But
he had the selt-control that enabled
him with entire self-resIr.ct 10 pass
unnoticed expressions OF prejudice or
criticism toward what he held dear.
sumption that he was not Southern
man.
Archie went To his death IN n great
disaster that attracted tho attention OF
the world. We do not know the de
tails. but We know that women and
children were rescued. and he went
down with the ship Returning from
much needed vacation. fun Of what
he had seen and enjoyed. hc was
Fastening again TO take UP the duties
In tho beautiful and stately White
House that should know his earthly
form no more. When heard that
many were lost. knew that Archie
would never return
He would have selected no other
death. had he been given choice. lie
Is preserved 10 US in hts manly beauty,
in his solGierly form. in his kindly at
utudc OF help. In the discharge OF his
highest duty.
Thus lie Is in the memory OF MS
all. sad as his end seems. how happy
In fact
This bridge. on the site OF which
for years there has been bronze
memorial OF another sacrifice OF q life
for lie and OF another hero. fur
n!shes most appropriate means OF
expressing tho love that his fellow
townsfo!ks bore and bear TO Archie
alive and dead. Standing on TINS
plain. sloping gently up to tho sand
hills where he was born. and which
revived his fondest memories. Il viii
remain forever record the story OF
his htghes; duty nobly done"
The other bronze tablet. referred 10
by MI Tart, bears the naync OF Dennis
Cah!n. young laborcr. who jumped
into the canal 10 rescue a child who
had fallen into the water. Cnhil was
unable TO swim. and perished in the
attempted rescue.
Carter kcenc. representative of the
Tcmplc-Noycs Lodge. OF WASHINGTON.
spoke OF MAJOR Butt as. ~ splendid
contribution Georgia has made TO man
hood"
Tho memorial bridge was presented
TO the city by DR.. Ashby Jones, Of
augusta. and accepted by Mayor l.. O.
iiayne. AZ the conclusion OF tho cxcr-
cises. tho crowd OF several thousand
persons joined in singing Nearer Nv
COO TO Thee" tho strain which the
Dand OF the Titanic played as the shin
was sinking.
The sounding to taps by bur,er
ended the ceremonies
Members Of the Washington delega-
ton left the city this evening.
Former President Taft. who ,,s
becn n visitor here for several davs
VIII return home tomorrow.