THOMAS BUTT                         

Goodland Republic, Friday, Feb. 8, 1907

Died:  Feb. 6, 1907

 

THOMAS BUTT CALLED HOME

Soldier and Bugler in Civil War, Pioneer of Sherman County,

Preacher, and Lover of the Boys of the 60’s.

 

  Thomas Butt passed away at his home ten miles south of Goodland Wednesday morning one hour after midnight. He heard the bugle call "taps," and "light were out," and a veteran and a good man fell asleep. He had often blown this call on his army bugle at the burial of his comrades. But this time it was the trumpet of an angel's call.

The immediate cause of his death was heart failure, but he had been suffering with diabetes for nearly four years, and had known all this time that the disease was fatal, and that the summons might come at any time. Yet he was always cheerful and at work, according as his strength allowed. He had been attending and laboring in a revival meeting in the Kipps school house, being a devout Christian and a lay preacher of the United Brethren church.

  Monday night Mr. Butt returned from the meetings somewhat fatigued, and complaining of being ill. He was restless and could not sleep. Tuesday, seeming to be growing worse. Dr. Gulick was sent for and came at once. He was practically dying when the doctor arrived but lingered until a new day broke on this world, and a brighter day on his freed spirit, where ''there shall be no more night."

  He leaves a wife and three sons, John. William and Roy, and three daughters, Mrs. E. J. Denney, Mrs. L. Jewell, living in Colorado Springs and Mrs. Joseph McDowell, living in Denver. Telegrams were sent out to the absent ones bearing the sad news of the father's death, and preliminary arrangements made for the funeral.

  Thomas Butt served throughout the civil war in company A Forty-second Illinois infantry, enlisting early in 1861. and being mustered out for disability July 7. 1865. He was a musician, a bugler, but took part in many battles, one affair especially daring, the capture of Island No. 10 by night by troops in a fleet of small boats supported by artillery and gun boats. The writer of this article heard him give a very graphic and accurate account of this daring assault at a G. A. R. encampment at St. Francis several years ago. He usually attended when possible, district, state, and national encampments, the last two of the latter being those held at Denver and Minneapolis. He was a member of the local G. A. R. post, from the very first organization some twenty years ago, and was at the time of his death officer of the day of that body in this city; and was also one of the charter members of the Union Hall association.

  Thomas Butt was born in 1840, and was 66 years of age at the time of his death. He was one of the early settlers of the county. An old landmark has fallen.

Thomas Butt was born in Scott county. Missouri. November 2, 1840, and died February 6. 1907. He came to Sherman county in March, 1887. He was married to Margaret Riedenour October 20. 1864. From this union six children were born, three sons and three daughters. All the children, excepting the oldest son. John, of San Francisco, were present at the funeral, which was held at the Christian church at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. Rev. J. Ed Stevens preached the funeral sermon, and the body was laid to rest in the Goodland cemetery.

CONTRIBUTED BY LLOYD P. HOLBROOK, RESEARCHER OF G. A. R. POST , W. R. ROBERTSON POST #428