Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-24
WAR DEPARTMENT
AFTER EVIDENCE
IN SPANIEL CASE
From Evidence Collected De-
notes that Colonel Butler Was
Absolutely Innocent of ANY
Wrong

Washington, July 23-The war depart
ment is taking an active interest in OBJ
tanning evidence concerning the killing of
1t. Col. Matthew c. Butler of the United
States army on Thursday by Henry j.
Spaniel. proprietor of a hotel at Alpine,
Tex, where the tragedy occurred. The de-
partment has called for reports on the
killing and has sent Col j. A. CASTOR of
the 9Th Cavalry to Alpine to make an in
vestigation.
According to report received by tele-
graph at the war department Saturday
from Col. J. E. Muchert of the 18th Texas
Infantry, the commanding officer at AL
pine. it was SPANIEL who asked Col. But
Ter to go on the motor ride with Mrs.
Spaniel and himself during which Col
Butler and Mrs. SPANIEL were shot to
death by Spaniel. Col. MuChert describes
the affairs as "a cold-blooded. premedi-
tated murder, committed by a man crazed
with jealousy"
Families Were Friendly
The war department announced Satur-
DAY tndI the DOuN VI vi. IouliSi' hNNciii-
panied by Mrs Butler, would arrive in
Washington on Monday morning at 40
O'Clock The interment will be at the
Arlington National cemetery on that day
Mrs. Butler was at Alpine when the trag-
edy took place.
Evidence Of the war departments In
tention to see that the fullest justice
was done was shown by its action in
making public the text Of the tele-
graphic report from Col. Muchert. This
report was called for by the depart
ment The first news dispatches about
the tragedy gave the impression that
Col. Butler and Mrs. Spaniel were mo-
toring together alone when they were
killed, but the report of Col. Muchert
SAYS that Col. Butler was invited by
Spaniel to take a ride and was given
a seat next to Mrs. Spaniel. Col. Mu-
ebert saws it is generally believed in
Alpine that Mrs Spaniel had never
given her husband any just cause for
his jealousy. and opinion was unani-
nous that Col Butler was innocent Of
any wronrdoing Col Butler and his
wife lived at Speanell's hotel and We're
on good terms with the Spanells. with
whom they went on motor rides fire.
quently.
COL Muchert's Report
The report Of Col Muchert follows:
answering your telegram ~equest
ing further details regarding the death
Of Col. Butler, will state Col Butler
was sitting with me and other officers
and citizens in front of the hotel about
s.45 P. NJ, July 20, when Mr.. and Mrs.
Spaniel drove up in their car, Mr..
Spaniel driving and Mrs. Spaniel occu-
plying the rear seat. Mr.. SPANIEL called
Col Butler TO the car, reached back
and opened the rear door. asking Col.
Butler to take the seat with Mrs
Spaniel Col Butler did so, and the car
Immediately drove off around the cor
ner Of the hotel.
After the car hal proceeded about
500 yards into the residential part of
the town. Mr. SPANIEL shot and
killed both Col. Butler and Mrs Span
ell. firing several shots into each one.
He then walked to the Jail and sur
rendered to the sheriff. Just how the
killing was done cannot be positively
stated. as there seems not TO have been
any witnesses present. Col. and Mrs.
Butler lived at the Holland Hotel here
and both associated with Mr.. and Mrs.
SPANIEL, proprietors Of the hotel Both
couples took frequent drives in the au-
tomobile of the Sparells in the eve
nings. Mr.. Spaniel seems to have been
of extremely jealous disposition. 1t is
stated that he had freruent 6iSa oree
ments with his wife who was a grea,
beauty. The general opinion here is
that Mrs. SPANIEL has never given her
husband any just cause for his jeal-
ousy and the unanimous opinion is
that Col. Butler was absolutely limo
cent Of any wrong. Whatever the
cause, it appears like a cold blooded.
premeditated murder, committed by
man crazed by jealousy"