“The town of Helena has killed my son, so I will kill the town of Helena.”
William G. Butler
William G. Butler
"Butler, riding his horse up and down the street and waving a rifle about in one hand, yelled to the citizenry in general, "I want the men who killed my son!" Nobody would tell him. After a fruitless effort to find out who they were, he said, "Alright then, I'll kill the town that killed my son !"
-anonymous
-anonymous
Once the news of his son’s death reached William, he mounted his steed, and rushed to Helena. When he arrived, he asked the people of Helena who committed such a vile crime. No one answered his question, so he swore his revenge.
“He came to Helena on Saturday with a brother, a wagon, and some cowhands. Butler assured Lt. Scott (of the State Troops, who came with two others from Yorktown in darkness and rain) that he came in peace. He retrieved the body of his son. The funeral was held on Sunday. He may have returned to Helena on Monday with 25 armed ranch hands.” -Unknown Historian