William G. Butler had warned his children of these dangers, but one day his 20-year old son, Emmett Butler, went to the town of Helena, where he was caught in a bar fight. He found himself in many predicaments, even being accused of murder at one point, but he had never been in as much danger. During the rumble, a stray bullet found its way to Emmet, killing him in the process. Many believe this was from the Sherriff, as he and the Butlers didn't have a great relationship. However, this is only the most reasonable hypothesis according to many accounts. The true culprit of his death remains a mystery to this day.
"The posse and others fired at Butler, who had mounted the least wounded horse and was riding away. Fully 40 shots were fired. Three shots took effect, two in his right leg below the knee and one through Butler's brain. Butler was shot at 3:40 PM Friday and died at 1:00 AM Saturday."
-an account of Emmet’s death by an unkown bystander
-an account of Emmet’s death by an unkown bystander
"On Friday December 26, the day after Christmas, the boy and a friend were drinking. They went first to Helena, then to Panna Maria, and then back to Helena. As is the custom in country towns during the holidays, many were indulging in whiskey too freely. E. W. Butler and Hugh McDonald were under the influence of whiskey and were inclined to be quarrelsome. Hugh McDonald was 22, and was a laborer in the Butler household.” -Anonymous
"I was just going in the front door of the store, and a shot was fired and the Sheriff fell. The weather being very bad, it was sleeting and raining and in those days everybody wore a slicker. The Sheriff had on a slicker, but he succeeded in getting his pistol and firing a shot which I believe struck Mr. Butler in one of his lower limbs, and by that time there was a posse gathered just on the opposite side of the road from the drug store and the stable." -Ed Campbell