The Sad Story of Aunt Jennie's Death

Ida Jane "Jennie" Kimball was second daughter of William and Sarah Kimball, and the sister of Martha Amanda Kimball Wisemiller, who was Louis Butler's great-grandmother.  She was known to the Butler family as Aunt Jennie, and as evidenced as some family pictures I have, enjoyed a close relationship with her nieces and nephews including Jesse Butler, Lou's father.

This past week with the help of one of Lou's cousins I've not yet met, I've discovered a very interesting, yet very sad story about Aunt Jennie's death.  Family stories told of Jennie's last husband poisoning her, but until this week we had no proof of that happening.  But now we know the rest of the story.

Aunt Jennie Kimball Matheson  with Butler nieces
Susie Belle - Beulah Alice - Ida Amanda
circa 1913

 

Does this look like an authentic suicide note?

             Aug. 9, 15
Dear Artle
   I Will son be
   go on I Cant stand this pain
   dont worry you
   Will be better of
   good by Dear
            Jennie
   I Cant get wel
   god will for give me

Or how about this one?

you are not to blame for anything I took it all alone.

 Those notes were evidence produced by the grieving husband of our relative, Ida Jane "Jennie" Kimbell McCormick, when he was put on trial for her death.  Jennie had been in poor health since shortly after their marriage (her third marriage) in June of 1914, and Arthur had hired a nurse and consulted a physician in an attempt to diagnose her mysterious illness. However, his efforts were to no avail and she died leaving an estate of $100,000.  The initial coroner's report determined that "she came to her death while seated at dinner August 9 from strychnine poison taken with suicidal intent." (article from Grand Rapids Press, 17 August 1915).

Jennie was buried in her family plot in White Cloud, Michigan, but concerns about her mysterious death were not buried with her.  Public opinion demanded that another inquest be held after the "women of Ladysmith, Wisconsin" shared their interpretation of the tragedy - which included their impressions of Arthur as a smooth talking, suave rascal who seemed to be very interested in Jennie's money.

During this investigation, Arthur (or Astor) McCormick claimed that Jennie had appeared to him on after her death and instructed him where to find her suicide note that would surely exonerate him.  He appeared at the district attorney's office with the first one, and when that didn't seem to be convincing enough, Jennie conveniently came to Arthur in a "vision" in the middle of the hearing telling him of the second note under the rug in her bedroom. 

However, after convincing testimony from a handwriting expert, John Tyrrell, Jennie's notes were found to be phony and Mr. McCormick was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, having killed his wife by poisoning.

To read the article that brought all this to light, click here.

'Tis the Season

. . . for some great memories!

Christmas 1977

Leona - Lou

Jim - Don - Tom

Leona - Lou

(Lou and his family must have been home in Utah)

Lynn - Tesi - Carol

Leona - Lou

Butler Grandchildren

Beth (niece) -Kristie - Kari - Emily - Tommy - Chuckie

Nathan - Jamie - Jeremy

Enjoy the Christmas Season!

61 years ago . . .

. . . these pictures were sent to a serviceman daddy in Alaska.

Don  -  Tom

Jim - Lou, Jr.

Bicycle built for two
Don - Tom

Lou - Jim - Tom - Don

Those cute boys (and their brave mother) survived the separation,

but they were sure happy to see their daddy come home again.

First Church Building - revisited

Remember this post about the LDS Church buildings in Pueblo, Colorado? 

The first LDS Church building in Pueblo, Colorado - circa 1908

My recent wanderings have unearthed this picture of that same building, taken about 1929.  The women's hats, the shape of the glasses, and the little girls' haircuts all contribute to what I consider a classy historic photo.  I love it!

 

 With Leona's help, I've identified the following:

• Mable Davis Butler (Lou's mother) in the 3rd row from the back - light colored hat and holding a young child, probably Eldon, close to her face
• Florence Davis Callaway (Mable's sister) standing right next to Mable to the left 
• Louis Butler - kneeling in front row, 4th from right, holding a flower in front of his face
• Chuck Butler - maybe kneeling in the front next to Louis

Do you recognize anybody else?

Scout Master's Heaven

Chuck with his Boy Scouts - circa 1970's

Scout Master's Heaven
by Charles Lee Butler

St. Peter stood there at the Pearly Gate

Determining each of the applicant's fate.

When up the path came a quiet man

With a thoughtful look and a suit of tan.

"Come in, come in," St. Peter cried,

"Nothing to you will be denied.

"Your life below we've watched with joy

"As you spent your time with each new boy."

"We've watched you work with real delight

"As you camped beneath our stars at night.

"So here's your harp; it's our golden best,

"And there's your cloud, so take your rest."

Now the Scout Master stood with a doubtful grin.

"I guess I'm not sure I want to come in.

"The cloud and the harp are pretty to see,

"But to ride and to play isn't heaven to me."

"Just give me the boy that was hit by a car,

"And the one who went out in the lake too far,

"The boy that was felled by an illness grave,

"And the one that was lost in the lonely cave."

"Give me the boys who were called back here

"Before they saw their first wild deer,

"Before they hiked on a mountain trail,

"Or found the nest of a hawk or quail."

"A harp and a cloud may be fine for some,

"A welcome rest for a job well done.

"But give me some boys who are just eleven,

"And for me, this will be a Scout Master's Heaven!"

 

 

Chuck's life was taken suddenly when he was killed in a car accident 

on his way home from work on August 25, 1977.

This poem that he had written sometime earlier 

was read at his funeral.

Scoutmaster Chuck

Charles Lee Butler - serious Scouter

The Boy Scout program was one of Chuck's great loves.  Together with Lou, he was involved with his sons and nephews and helped each one of those boys achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.  

In 1964 he served as Scoutmaster of Jamboree Troop 52 and attended the Boy Scout National  Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where there were more than 50,000 Boy Scouts and leaders in attendance.   He took his sons, Steve and Gary, and nephew, Don, and had a great adventure.  

 He began whittling while attending Boy Scout camp as a leader, and through the years taught countless young boys how to carve.

Pueblo Star-Journal  April 27, 1967

He was the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 12 in the Pueblo, Colorado Ward for 10-12 years.

Scoutmaster Chuck with his Koshare carving

In 1970 he was awarded the Silver Beaver, the highest honor that a local council can present.

What a great legacy of service.

Spare-time Sculptor

In 1959 Chuck took a group of Boy Scouts to summer camp and sat in on a merit badge class on wood carving.  He started "whittling" then and enjoyed carving as a life long hobby.  His artistic ability really shows in the details of his carvings.

Article from Pueblo Star-Journal
June 3, 1965

Koshare - Indian Dancer

Collection of animals

Boy Scout

Mary and Joseph

Mary, the mother of Jesus

And my personal favorite is the letter "B" Uncle Chuck carved for the back of the rocking chair Don gave me for a wedding gift.

Rocking chair "B"

Wedding gift chair - 1973

Chuck's marriage and family

The sister of his classmate, Leona Carpenter (who was also his big brother's girlfriend), Charlotte Carpenter caught Chuck Butler's attention sometime in the early 1940's.

Charlotte "Pinkie" Carpenter - early 1940's

They went together through his high school years, and during the time he served in the Navy.

They both look a little young and shy about this "going together"!

A little older and more confident
(note the classic car they are leaning against)

I wish I knew what they were saying!
September, 1944 - in California during Chuck's leave

They obviously got it worked out!

A picture for her sailor - 1945

High School graduation - May 1946

After his discharge they were married in Pueblo, Colorado.

Wedding Day
30 August 1946

And became the parents of three children - shown in their senior pictures!

Charles Steven - born 1948

Gary Lee - born 1951

Beth Lorene - born 1965

Naval Service

Chuck graduated from high school in 1943 and like his brother, Lou, he went right into the military serving in the Navy as a Radioman from November 1943 - May, 1946.

Chuck Butler (left) "on watch"
March, 1946

A handsome young man in his Navy uniform

Also like Lou, Chuck left behind a girlfriend - who was also Leona's sister!

She told him goodbye.

Lorene Carpenter (Charlotte's mother) - Chuck Butler - Charlotte Carpenter

She sent him lots of letters and pictures.

Charlotte Carpenter - about 1944

She was glad to see him when she got a chance.

On leave in California - Fall, 1944

And he was a typical American serviceman.  

(I think this picture looks like it belongs on the cover of Life magazine as a quintessential image of World War II)

undated, but probably early 1944

from the "kid bro", Chuck

Charles Lee Butler

If you've been reading here for long, you know that Lou was the oldest of four sons of Jess and Mable Butler.  Charles was the second son and was born 1 September 1925 in Pueblo, Colorado.  

As with the other brothers, I don't have much written about Chuck, so these pictures will have to tell the story.

1928 - 3 years old
Don't you love the socks?

School pictures are serious business

Teenager

Chuck Shelhammer - Chuck Butler
unknown - Delbert Butler
Tommy Shelhammer
early 1940's

Mother and son
early 1940's

In the yard at the family home
1806 E 5th Street, Pueblo

High School  - maybe his senior picture

August 25 marked the 34th anniversary of Chuck's death, 

but today is the 86th anniversary of his birth, and that's a much happier day to celebrate!