“In the reporter's opinion, Karnes County (Which made up Helena) was so lawless that the county should be dissolved and split up among nearby counties.”
The town of Helena was on the track to become a boomtown; the economy was strong, and a railroad was scheduled to be built through it. However, the town was still dangerous due to the infamous Helena Duels, in which two opponents left hands were tied together with buckskin, and they would stab each other with a three inch bladed knife. Once the fight began, it would not end until one of the opponents' had fallen dead due to bleeding out, as spectators watched the fatal fight, possibly betting on the outcome. Other crimes were commonly committed throughout the streets, so William warned his children against visiting the place.
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"On one occasion when W. G. Butler was on a trail drive to Dodge City, Kansas, the Sheriff and one of his deputies went to the Butler home in search of someone who was subject to arrest. When they arrived at the house, Mrs. W. G. Butler met them at the door. No one was there except she and some of the girls. The Sheriff insisted on searching the premises, and went through various parts of the house, and when he came to one room, he asked Mrs. Butler who was in there, and she said that one of the girls was in there sick in bed. The Sheriff insisted on going in, and when he went in the girl was covered over with a sheet. The Sheriff, perhaps thinking that it was one of the people they were searching for, jerked the sheet off the girl. This constituted a very serious insult to the young girl and to the Butler family. W. G. Butler was furious when he learned of this matter, as were his sons. Before he left for Dodge City, Butler instructed his sons to stay away from Helena, as he didn't want them to become involved in bloodshed." -anonymous
"W. G. Butler had instructed his sons to stay away from Helena."
Ted Butler, retired State District Judge
Ted Butler, retired State District Judge