May 21, 1908 (next to the last paper on the reel)

Prominent Citizen Dies Suddenly

Only a few moments warning that death was approaching


A very sad death occurred Monday afternoon about 4 o'clock 
at the residence of Mrs. O. B. Shearer on 3rd Avenue North  
when Mr. J. D. Butts suddenly expired.

Mr. Butts was driving in alone from the Inter-State Lumber Co.  
plant where he was employed.  He left there feeling well and  
was in the very best spirits.  As he apporached the residence  
of Mrs. Shearer he must have felt the pangs of death coming  
over him for he reined his horse up to her gate and got out.  

She saw there was something wrong with him and aided him to  
a seat on the veranda where he died in a few moments without  
uttering a word.

Mr. Butts was 55 years old and he is survived by three children  
aged 16, 12 and 4 years.  His wife died about one year ago.  

He was a consistent member of the first Methodist church and  
was also a loyal mason; his standing in both organizations being 
such as to attract favorable comment by the members.
 
His remains were carried to his old home in Artesia for interment,  
accompanied by a large number of Masons and the funeral services  
were conducted by Dr. J. W. Shoaff, pastor of the First  Methodist 
Church.

This file was transcribed and contributed for use  in the Oktibbeha
 County Genealogy web site at http://oktibbehamsgenealogy.org
by:    C. L. Herrick, oktibbehalowndes@yahoo.com