Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-03-25
Deaths Call Comes to Many.

Deaths Call comes TO Many.
Mrs. Matilda Berry Butler, a greatly
beloved former resilient of Shepherds
town, died last Friday at Level Green"
the home of her son-in-law, George w.
Moore, near Charles Town, aged IS
years. Mrs. Butler was born and reared
in Shepherdstown and lived in this county
all OF her long life. She was a daughter
and the last surviving child OF Henry
Berry, prominent lawyer OF this place
many years ago. Her husband was DR..
Vincent M. Butler, captain OF Company
B, Second Virginia Regiment, Stonewall
Brigade, who died in 1864 from wounds
received at the battle OF Manassas. Mrs.
Butler was a gentlewoman otthe loveliest
character, with sweet and amiable dis
position and a genuine kindness and
courtesy that endeared her TO her friends
and inspired the instant respect ofall who
came in contact with her. She never
spoke unkindly OF anyone, but exercised
that broad charity which covered the
faults of others. Sweet and sympathetic
and gracious, she inspired those with
whom she associated to emulate these
virtues, and her life was one worthy OF
imitation and admiration. From heryouth
she had been a member OF the Episcopal
Church and was always interested in
church and Sunday school work. A
gentle, lovable Christian woman, eXem-
plary in character. ripe in years and ex-
perience, she has gone to the reward OF
those who, pure in heart, shall surely see
God.
Mrs. Butler in the course OF her long
life had many interesting experiences,
and being gifted with rare conversational
powers, she told OF them in the most de-
lightful way. Many years ago when as
a young lady she was spending the winter
in Washington she accepted an invitation
to attend the trial OF big gun on naval
vessel IN the Potomac river. Many dis
tinguished persons were present, lnclud-
ing the President and his cabinet, men,
bers Of Congress and others. When the
gun was fired it exploded with terrific
violence and number Of persons were
killed, including cabinet member ard a
governor. During the Civil War she
was in a number OF thrilling episodes,
having followed her husband part OF
the time. She was devoted Southerner,
and her patriotism being well known,
she was subjected to undeslred attentions
on the part OF the enemy. On one oc-
caSion, while living al Locust Hill Farm,
a couple OF miles south OF town, her
home was surrounded at midnight by
Union soldiers, who went through every
room in the house in search OF papers.
The only adult person on the place be-
side Mrs. Butler was a colored woman,
who was so terrified that she ran from
the house and hid herself by climbing up
tree. With all her gentlenesS, Mrs.
Butler had high courage and was I'M
daunted even in the face OF the greatest
danger. After the war Mrs. Butler came
back to town to live and resided here
until ten or twelve years ago, when she
went TO Level Green" 10 make her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Moore. The
children surviving her are Mrs. Ada Alb
bolt, wife OF Archdeacon A A Abbott,
of Cleveland, Ohio Mrs J s. Bragonier,
of ShepheIdstown, and Mrs. Geo. W.
Moore, OF this county.
The funeral service was held last Sum
day aiternoonin Trinity Episcopal Church,
Shepherdstown, OF which she had been
a member for so many years, the service
being conducted by Archdeacon Abbott,
OF Cleveland. Rev. J. s. Afriend, OF
Charles Town, and the rector, Rev. J.
w. Ware. The pallbearers were: Active,
A. M. S. Morgan, Dr. H Ashton Moore,
Geo. M. Berzhoover, Jr., H. Pinkney
Schley, John D. Curry, q b. Wiltshire;
honorary, A. S cambridge, H. W. Potts,
John Aglionby, Robert Gibson, 7. B.
Line, G. w. Bhlmyer, M. B. Baker.
The body was laid TO rest in EImwood
Cemetery.