SHORT PAGES FROM ONE LONG LIFE

II

At Cold Spring Mr. Butterfield remained for nearly three years, attending to the medical practice on a Mr. Affeck's plantation in return for board and housekeeping, so that what he received from outside practice was clear gain.

My expenses were thus quite small as I endeavored to be economical, well knowing the value of money from having experienced the want of it.

In 1847 Mr. Affeck's plantation changed hands and Doctor 8., being not so well satisfied as before, removed to Rifle Point, Louisiana where the continuous part of his journal was written.

In 1848 he purchased an interest in the Rifle Point store which he ran for a year in partnership with a Mr. Fry; he then bought his partner out and ran the store alone, at the same time continuing his medical practice. His former partner in the store began the study of medicine with Doctor Butterfield. It was rather a curious divergence of inclination that the storekeeper should want to become a doctor, at the same time that the doctor, having to a modest extent arrived after years of medical study and practice, should show definite leanings toward a mercantile career.

Here begin the periodical additions to Dr. Butterfield's memoirs, his journal up to this point having been a continuous narrative.

October 1851. The sear and yellow leaf of autumn is fast approaching, the season of all most full of the gentle teachings which affect the heart is upon us. Who can go forth and see the leaves gently falling to the ground and not be reminded that he too must have his autumn? that he too must be laid in the gentle earth when his time comes ?

Here in Louisiana the autumn has al- ways seemed to me to be more replete with such melancholy, yet pleasant, teach- ings than in the North. The climate is soft as that of Italy, the setting sun can only be equalled in richness, mellowness and beauty by that of the same country. Buf my poor pen can give no adequate description of the many beauties of a Southern autumn and so I had better recommend whoever may chance to peruse this to see it for himself, if he wishes to have the full enjoyment which it bestows.

The fields are white with cotton and the planters are rejoicing that their crops are so large. So good a crop of cotton has not been made since '39. The season has been remarkable for gathering it, there has scarcely been a rainy day since cotton picking commenced. On some of the places in this vicinity which I have seen there cannot be less than two bales to the acre, being double the usual crop. Up to this date (October 27th) there has been no frost to do any injury and vegetation is still green and luxuriant. No more genial climate or fertile soil for the production of cotton can be found than this same region where I am now writing.

This New Englander living in the midst of fields white with cotton inevitably re- minds us of that other Scotchman of the New World who, observing the laborious wastefulness of picking by hand the seeds from a cotton bloom, rigged up a Yankee contraption which left him poor but made a whole Empire rich, " crowned cotton King of the South, made slavery an apparent economic necessity, and insured a war between the States. From the fairly frequent mention by Dr. Butterfield of other New Englanders whom he encountered from time to time, it would seem that there were not a few of them at that time living in the South.

November, 1851. I have just walked out to the river bank and I found large quantities of cotton partially burnt floating, indicating clearly that some steamboat has been on fire and perhaps consumed by the destroying element.

One of my principal enjoyments here in my lonely situation is to walk out on the river bank and to watch the mighty river as it glides along, bearing on its surface huge trees, logs and almost every imaginable thing that floats. I love to watch its risings and its falls, and to see it change from a calm, placid current to a turbid, ocean-like tumbling.

I myself have been on it when the waves ran mountain high, and being in a small skiff was in great peril; I have determined to venture out no more when there seems to be danger. Many lives are lost on the Mississippi and the boatsmen have a saying which contains much truth, it is, "the Mississippi never lets go." Indeed it is almost impossible, even for the strongest man to contend against its stormy current, and then there are so many whirlpools and eddies that it is not strange that he who falls in should find a watery grave.

There is a romance about the Mississippi which to me is a source of pleasure. I love especially to stand on its banks when it is rough and the waves are roaring like those of old Ocean. "What do the waves say?" asks Dombey, Jr. I can tell what they say to me at such times. They tell me of home and dear friends far away who are thinking kindly of their absent one; their number is small it may be, but I know who they are and I too do not forget them for even an hour.

"What do the waves say?" They are the voices of long-lost dear ones coming from the spirit land and mournfully they speak to my sad heart. They tell me to look up and never despair, for there is a Heaven above me and a kind good One who will protect me through all my trials, sufferings and pains. They teach me to persevere in a straightforward, honorable course of life.

One who lives alone, as I do, will occasionally indulge in reveries and I have given vent to feelings now which I never express but often feel. Whoever reads this will know that I have had my moments of sadness.

In 1852, after nine years in the South, Dr. Butterfield's affairs were evidently improving a little as he says: I can now see my way (financially) a little more clearly than heretofore and if my life is spared I shall at least gain a competence for myself.

In that same year he also records his plans for the future:

I shall leave Rifle Point as soon as I can find a place which offers sufficient inducement for me to establish myself in. What kind of business I shall follow I know not, but I am desirous of pursuing some more pleasant and lucrative calling than that of a country doctor. I have thought of the mercantile and think I should like that kind of business. Perhaps I may commence planting if I find a favorable opportunity; at any rate I shall now, or very soon embark in some enterprise which will afford me an opportunity of doing something for myself. If lam unsuccessful I can fall back upon my profession which will always enable me to make a respectable living and give me an honorable position in society.

Dec. 25, 1852. Christmas has once more arrived. The negroes celebrate its return by parties and by feasting and frolicking. Though it rains hard today they are not deterred from going to visit their neighbors and enjoy the amusements of the season. All appear happy and contented.

The summers of 1853 and 1854 Dr. Butterfield spent pleasantly in his native city of Lowell. In the summer of 1855 he visited various cities and watering places of the North, in company with Mrs. Ford and her two daughters. Upon their return to Mississippi the yellow fever claimed three of Mrs. Ford's children, two sons and one daughter.

From 1855 to 1864 Dr. Butterfield was in charge of Mrs. Ford's plantation in Adams County, Mississippi. In 1856 he could say:

I like planting much; it has its cares, perplexities and toils but so has any business of any importance; it is a healthful and to me an agreeable business. I shall continue in the same business another year. lam well paid. I find myself now in very good circumstances, pecuniarly speaking.

December, 1858. I received recently the last catalogues of Dartmouth College. Twelve of my classmates have died, nearly one-fifth in less than twenty years. Professor Ira Young also died recently. He was a good man, generally popular with the students of my time, and an eminent mathematician. His place cannot readily be filled. I rejoice to see that my Alma Mater is still prosperous. Long may she continue so, is my fervent wish.

Dec. 20th, 1860. Probably such a drought was never before known as was experienced in the greater part of the South. There was no rain to do any good here for nearly six months, consequently crops are very poor and much suffering will occur.

The late presidential election has resulted in the election of the black republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln. The Southern States will not submit to be ruled and oppressed by any such a party, and will secede from the Union, as they have a just right to do, if they are oppressed.

Feb. 3d, 1861. I am still residing in old Adams County, Miss. This state has seceded from the Union, and so has South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama. What will be the result of the present panic no one can tell. Enough has already transpired to fill the heart of the patriot with gloom. He sees the country for which his fathers fought and died, and which he has been taught to love and cherish as something sacred, torn and dis- severed. He sees distress and bankruptcy in business circles, poverty and want pressing heavily upon the poor. We feel these things less here than elsewhere, the slaves feel some of them for their wants are all supplied by the kindness of their masters. I regard slavery as one of the greatest blessings that ever happened to the sable sons of Africa. They have been civilized, Christianized, and elevated in the scale of society by it and by it alone. But I need not dwell on what every wellinformed and honest person admits to be true. A Southern Confederacy will most probably be formed and then, when rid of those miserable fanatics who have brought about this state of things, we shall probably go on again harmoniously. God grant it, is my fervent prayer.

January sth, 1862. Since I last wrote in this book war has been going on between the United States and the Confederate States; it is still in progress and when we shall have peace God only knows. We of the Confederacy are determined to wage war till we gain our independence or till we perish.

Success has so far attended our efforts, to be free and proof enough is offered to show that the God of Battles is on our side and favors the right. Our cause is a righteous one and must prevail ulti- mately. The Congress of the United States is divided as to peace and war. They were also compelled to give up Messrs. Mason and Slidell, our Commissioners to Europe, who were forcibly seized from on board a British vessel. This was done at the demand of England, on the threat of war if they refused.

The South has now been blockaded for more than six months; no vessels or steamers can leave the ports of the Confederacy with a certainty of not being stopped by Lincoln's fleet, nor can any enter. Still we do not suffer for the want of any of the necessities of life nor for the luxuries, either. Many articles, such as tea, coffee and meat, are of high price. I never lived better in my life than during the time the war has been going on. There is but little sale for cotton, planters are keeping it for better times and can hold it till it is wanted. We do not suffer so much by not selling cotton as the manufacturing classes of the world do by not being able to buy it.

But one sentiment now prevails as to our independence of the United States and that is, that it is a fixed fact, come weal, come woe.

January 4th, 1863. This has been an eventful year. "Grim-visaged War" has been going on between the North and the South as it was a year ago. Peace is still far off, I fear, yet are we of the Southern Confederacy sanguine of success and sure that we can never be conquered though many may be ruined.

New Orleans has fallen and been held by the Yankees. B. F. Butler of Lowell (better known now and in all future time as "Brute Butler") has ruled with an iron hand there. In May, 1862 the Pederal fleet came up to Natchez and demanded a surrender of the city which was done. The enemy did not occupy the city but ascended the river to Vicksburg and bombarded that city for several days but finally retired without taking it, much to their discomfiture. The fortifications at Vicksburg have been enlarged and strengthened so that it will be more diffi- cult now to take them. There is every prospect of a serious battle taking place there soon; as skirmishing has already taken place.

At Port Hudson below here there are strong fortifications also. Between these two places, Vicksburg and Port Hudson, a distance of two hundred miles, the people have generally been unmolested by the Yankee troops as they could not for the last six months pass on boats. We have whipped them in many battles since last year and will continue to do so in every engagement where there is anything like an equality of forces. We fight for home, country and everything held dear, and are determined to die or conquer. Can any people ever be conquered who are as powerful as we are and who have as righteous a cause? I hope that when I write here one year hence Peace will reign throughout the land and that the Southern Confederacy may be acknowledged by every nation of the earth.

All communication by letter is suspended and will remain so during the continuation of the war. Oh! for Peace, and honorable Peace! this is my prayer and it is the prayer of thousands of others in every portion of this once happy and prosperous country. Many of the necessities of life are scarce and bear a high price but hereabouts there is no great suffering, so far as I know.

March 29th, 1863. Success in a business way seemed to have crowned my efforts till the direful calamity of civil war, now so fiercely raging, between the North and the South arose. War has no attractions for me, I see nothing good in it, but evil, evil, and destruction to the best interests of all of us. May our enemies learn wisdom and see the utter futility of trying to conquer us.

January 2d, 1864. Many and sad are the changes which the past year has brought upon us. War with the United States still progresses. In July Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the last two fortified places on the Mississippi river, fell into the hands of the Federal troops. This opened to them the River. Boats soon passed down to New Orleans unmolested and all thought of further resistance on the part of the Confederates was abandoned as we, the people, supposed. However, a very poor practice has been started which is to fire upon unmanned boats as they pass given points. Many lives have been lost and navigation is now very dangerous, though the boats still risk being fired upon.

Natchez was occupied by Federal troops in July. No serious fighting has yet happened there and it is to be hoped none will. Slavery has been abolished by the proclamation of President Lincoln. The male slaves hereabouts have mostly been taken for soldiers in the United States Army. Some remain on the plantations of their former owners, others go to the carral or place of rendevouze provided for them.. Much suffering and many deaths have occurred amongst these poor people. It will be some time before they get accustomed to liberty and it remains to be seen whether it is a real substantial benefit to the black race or not. My wish is that Peace may soon be declared and our country soon assume its wonted prosperity.

In Dr. Butterfield's writings during the War we probably get a fair reflection of Southern sentiment during those four years; it is interesting to note the tapering off of the Will to Conquer into first a longing for an honorable Peace and later a desire for most any kind of a Peace. How sad sound .these sentiments of a generation whose vanished drums long since have beat their last retreat, but whose war psychology seems strangley familiar.

Dr. Butterfield spent the Summers of 1864, '65, '66, and '67 in Lowell, and the ensuing Winters in Mississippi.

May 18, 1867. The War ended in the subjurgation of the South and the eman- cipation of the slaves, as the world knows. The Southern States have been great sufferers in consequence of the War. Their property has been destroyed in vavarious ways; much suffering follows all wars. By far the greatest sufferers are the Negroes. One million are said to have perished already. Left without the care of their kind masters (how kind few can know who have not resided in the slave-holding States), they will decrease in numbers and instead of advancing in civilization will retrograde. They are indolent, improvident, vicious, and inimical to the white race. Few have made any money from employing them to cultivate cotton during the past two seasons, while nearly all have lost by the operation. Especially is this true of those who went from the North expecting to reap a golden harvest by introducing Northern improvements and by believing that the Negro would work for them better than for the Southern people. The Negroes are but little inclined to work steadily, as they believe it incompatible with freedom. Besides, they are expecting the Government to give them lands. Their minds have been misled by designing men. The time will come when it will recoil upon them with a tenfold power and woe be unto all within their reach. Negroes are easily led to believe that the War was carried on for their emancipation and that the Northern people are their friends. The truth will come to light after a time.

I do not desire to employ free Negroes, as from my experience I find them idle; inclined to be impudent and that no money will remunerate one for the trouble he has in trying to make a crop with them. So I am obliged to abandon the tilling of the soil as an avocation, though under favorable circumstances it is one I prefer to all others.

Jefferson Davis, late President of the Confederate States, has just been released from imprisonment by giving bonds to appear at the next Term of the United States District Court of Virginia. His release is deemed just by all right minded persons, as there is no reason why he should be punished more than others who are equally guilty. It remains to be seen whether any will be punished at this late day.

Natchez, March 27th, 1868. I left Lowell in November last, came here and am trying to settle my business, to collect money I loaned before the late War. I have been obliged to resort to the law but I shall have poor success.

I intend going to the West soon and shall probably locate there. Business is prostrate here and labor is demoralized. The political condition of the country is such as to preclude the advancement of business for years to come. The West is growing and thither I will wend my way and try to establish myself in business.

For four years I have not been permanently settled in any place or engaged in any business. I have become heartily tired of the life I am leading. Dr. Rufus A. Ford will accompany me and we expect to form a partnership for the purpose of carrying on some business.

.On May 21, 1868, Dr. Butterfield, with his friend, Dr. Ford, arrived in Kansas City, Missouri and soon after engaged in the real estate business. Kansas City was then a city of 2500, just beginning to boom; the streets were unpaved,—a sea of mud in wet weather, a cloud of dust in dry. Dr. Butterfield must have brought a fair amount of funds, for he built quite a large frame building, part of which he occupied and the rest of which he rented for use as a store.

He quite early abandoned the real estate business and for a while devoted himself to the management of his own affairs, and did something in the way of the storage of merchandise, etc.

In 1871 he resumed the practice of go- ing to Lowell Summers, which was his custom for the rest of his life. In that same year he began to engage in a mercantile business, for a short time with a partner and then on his sole account under the name of "'Butterfield & Cos."

Kansas City, March, 1873. On the 20th of January I was assaulted in my store by a villain who tried to disguise himself by blacking his hands and face so as to appear to be a negro. He struck me on the right side of my head while I was stooping down to unwrap some mackerel he had purchased. It was at night and the candle was thrown down and extinguished so that he could not see to repeat the blow. I was struck a heavy blow with some hard substance but was not entirely stunned. A concus- sion of the brain which I felt for a week was produced. His object and intention was to rob me, as he thought I had a considerable amount of money in my pocket-book. Having given me a two dollar bill to change he saw my pocketbook contained a number of bills, but their amount was small as I did not have more than twenty-five dollars in it. As soon as I received the blow I cried out for help and the scoundrel made his escape.

I know who was the author of this cowardly attack. It was done through no malice or for any ill feeling he has for me, for I have ever treated him kindly and never had the least disagreement with him. I have given him no trouble about it, and have seen him only once since the occurrence. I hope I may never see him again. I shall be better prepared to receive him when he calls again than I was on the occasion of his last visit. I have said but little about this affair and have tried to keep it from being published in the papers, only one paper having noticed it, and that did not get a correct statement of the occurrence.

Kansas City "boomed" until the Winter of 1874-75, during which and the following two years, it suffered in com- merce greatly from having been overbuilt and from the general hard times. Dr. B's affairs were not seriously affected, which immunity he ascribes to the fact that he had kept out of debt. By 1877 business had begun to improve, and by 1880 the commercial tide was roaring through this Southwestern gateway in full flood.

Kansas City, March 27, 1878. I devote some time to my favorite study of Geology. During the past year I have had constructed a nice cabinet for my specimens. It is full and is a source of much gratification to me. I love to study the works of Nature. To "look through Nature up to Nature's God" is one of the pleasantest things I know of. It has a good moral effect on a man to study and have a love for some branch of Natural Science, Geology and Mineralogy have long been hobbies of mine.

I am still engaged in a mercantile business. By a faithful discharge of my duties I am gaining the confidence of my customers and the public. My business increases yearly. I work and think it no disgrace, but rather an honor and am thankful that I am able to do so.

Kansas City, April 11, 1882. Jesse James was killed at St. Joseph on the 3d inst. He was the leader of a band of murderers and robbers and the State is the better for his being taken off.

In 1881 the building in which Dr. B. lived and kept his store was destroyed by fire; he forthwith built'a new one which he used for the same purpose at the same location, number 539 Grand Avenue.

Kansas City, March 27, 1886. Business is good in Kansas City; we were never more prosperous than now. Real Estate is high and advancing. It has gone far bey.ond my most sanguine expectations years ago.

The graduates of Dartmouth resident here and in the country adjacent are about to form an Alumni Association. I take a deep interest in the matter and have been occupied several days in writing notices for a meeting to be held on April 21 prox.

Kansas City, March 31st, 1887. Our city has improved much since I last wrote in this book. Real Estate is very valuable and advancing rapidly. A great central city is assured to us beyond a shadow of a doubt. Buildings of large size and costing immensely are constantly being erected ; manufactories are coming in rapidly; railroads, both foreign and city are rapidly being built here; indeed we have all the elements of a great and important city.

There has been formed here during the past year an Association called the "Dartmouth Alumni Association of the Southwest," of which I have the honor of being the President.

Kansas City, March 27, 1888. I find my property here valuable and with other investments renders me quite well off, not to say wealthy.

On the sth of October, 1887, I leased to J. S. Reber a lot of land on the corner of Grand and Independence Avenues for the term of ten years from that date, he to pay me $75. per month for three years, and $100. per month for the next seven years; the buildings which he proposes to erect to be mine at the expiration of the ten years. I have entered into this lease to avoid the trouble of building and the collection of rents. The lot is valuable and could not be purchased at any reasonable present price.

Kansas City, March 27, 1890. In June last I was at Hanover, N. H., and met 17 members out of 22 who are living of the Class of 1839 which numbered 61. It was an enjoyable meeting. Fifty years had passed since we went out into the world to fight the battle of life. We came back old men, scarcely recognizing one another. Hanover and the College have improved greatly in the last few years and do not look as they did in 1839. May they go on in the future and continue to improve is my best wish.

When his sister, Julia, died in 1892, half of her property passed to Dr. Butterfield. In the last entry in his book (1892) Dr. 8., speaking of the hard times of the early 90s which hit Kansas City with great severity, says:

I ascribe the present state of things to the recklessness of many of our people in speculation in land and to extravagance in building and living. Many of them are bankrupt who were once well to do; many more have met serious losses. For my part lam not seriously affected, having held the even tenor of my way. lam not in debt to anyone and have a handsome income. I have held it the best policy to go slowly, be industrious, frugal and contented. My health is good for one of my years. I have not been sick during the past year, though there has been a great deal of sickness and many deaths in the city during the winter which is now about past. I expect to visit Lowell before many months.

In the Summer of 1892 the old gentleman came East, as was his custom, was taken ill in Boston and died there on September 2, 1892. Doctor Butterfield lived long, worked hard, traveled far, outgrew youthfulness, conquered sickness, overcame poverty, loved Dartmouth, and died in the 75th year of his age.

When he went South on his first venture he spent his evenings looking up at the cold, unfriendly stars; years later, when he came back on the last of many journeys, the stars no longer bothered him,—he was prosperous, and contented for an old man. He was neither the first nor the last to begin by looking wonderingly at the stars and end by counting the money he had made. By slow degrees avarice, the favored vice of age, had supplanted waywardness the siren of Youth.

Perhaps to those who read this review the straw colored bricks of Butterfield Hall may mean, in addition to blue butterflies and discordant architecture, a bit of sympathetic interest in its donor's "somewhat eventful career,"as he called it.

Looking Down from the Radio Tower

Attorney for the College