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Submitted: 2/8/16 • Approved: 3/31/16 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R99856-G0-S3
June 20, 1834 - 14 Jun3 1912
Among the Knights of the Cattle Trail-The old trail drivers- was William Green "Bill" Butler.
at 18 he came with his parents Burnell and Sallie Butler in 1852 to Texas from Scott County, Mississippi. They came overland in ox-drawn wagons with the family and 7 Blacks. At the end of 3 months they reached the San Antonio River on December 24, 1852. This is where they made their home and raised cattle on wild and almost worthless land. He Married Miss Adline Burris in 1858 and they settled in Karnes County near Kenedy. Their family consisted of Newton Green Butler who died March 12, 1895, Mrs Helen Nicholes, Mres Lou M Adans, Emmett who died December 25, 1884, Skayes Charles Butler, Theodore Green Butler, Cora Butler and William Green, Jr who died November 20, 1913.
When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and fought til the end. Coming home he found that his cattle was scattered and most of them were stolen by thieving bands of rustlers. He gathered a number of men and set out to over take the rustlers one who was know to be bold and evil. They found the cattle forty-five miles above San Antonio. The leader of the rustlers knew Butler's reputation as a man with the courage of a lion and nerves of steel and unswerving in honesty and justice. He ask "Mr Butler what do you want?" Butler answered "To cut my cattle from that herd" and he was told "It is alright with me, sir" He did just. He spent time helping some of his friends to find and seize their cattle from the rustlers. He was known as one of the best men in the area and a loyal friend. He drove his first string of cattle to Abilene, Kansas from Karnes County March 1868. Those working as his hands Robert and Wash Butler, his brothers. L C Tobin, Buck and Jess Little, John Sullivan, Jim Berry Nelson, Boxie White, John Brandy, M Benavides, Juan Concholer, Juan Mendez, Levi and William Perryman and two Black hands. One to three herds were driven by him every year afterward up to 1886. Some of the herds were driven to Ogallala, Nebraska and Dodge City, Kansas. He was partner with Major Seth Mabry of Austin for many years, and in that time he sent 100,000 cattle up the trails. He owned 75,000 acres of land and leased 25,000, fenced and stocked with 10,000 head of cattle.
His legacy is that of an honest and upright man of his time.
Memorial complied: Ira Sharp Dennis aka Tootie Dennis
Sources: The Trail Drivers of Texas (From the Old Time Trail Driver's Association 1920)
Online resources.
Contributed on 2/8/16 by sdhouston360
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Record #: 99856