On August 7, 1879, Aaron Goodfellow, a popular railroad employee was gunned down just outside his home on Chestnut Street. The Bloomington police were quick to pin the crime on two likely recent arrivals, Harry Williams and Patsy Devine based on Aaron Goodfellow's description of his assailants on his deathbed.
Press Butler was a captain on the police force of Bloomington at this time and began a determined pursuit of Patsy Devine, an English immigrant. Devine's home was known to be in Alton, so Butler collaborated with the police force there to trace Devine to Kentucky and then to New York, where Butler arrested him after traveling back to Springfield for papers that the governor of New York demanded. Column after column of print in the Pantagraph chronicled the pursuit as the people of Bloomington eagerly awaited news of Butler.
Butler was finally able to convince the governor of New York that he had the correct man, and Patsy Devine was returned to Bloomington. Feelings against him were so high that he had to be transported to Clinton for fear of a lynching. He received his trial in DeWitt County and was hung in Clinton nearly a year after the murder.
Press Butler never rested after locating Devine. He continued hunting for his companion and tracked down Harry Williams in a prison in Iowa where Williams was dying of tuberculosis. When Williams finally died, he made a deathbed confession that he alone was responsible for the death of Goodfellow -- which led to a suit by the Devine family against the county. Butler was held up for some ridicule by the public for this seeming fumble, but what better way to put a spoke in the wheels of the police but to claim that they had the wrong man?
Another murder case "solved" by Press Butler was that of Silas Stotz. Stout was stabbed in the neck during a brawl at the McLean County Fair in September of 1879. Press Butler was the Night Captain and took charge of the investigation. By careful questioning, Butler determined that the knife that stabbed Stotz belonged to Edwin Goodspeed, a local railroad man. Goodspeed was pardoned by the Governor in 1895, with a statement that the conviction had not been well-proven, alluding to the evidence of the knife.
The subject of the Williams confession came up again in 1903 when Butler (in his role as PRIVATE detective arrested Maude Jordine for the murder of her two year old sister. Somehow Butler had fallen out of favor with the public and criticism of his methods was given freely. Butler was booed and hissed in the courthouse after Maude was released. At that time, Preston was working with his son Charles in a private detective agency in suite 423 of the Greisheim Building and was also running the Butler House, a hotel at 301 W Front Street.
James Preston Butler came to Bloomington in 1855 and married Elizabeth Cavanaugh, who had lived here from the age of six. After coming to Bloomington Mr. Butler ran a meat shop for two years and then had the largest bakery in town for ten years. His first son, W P Butler, was born during the Civil War and his second son, Edward, was born in 1867. Both sons were officers with the 8th Regiment of the Illinois National Guard and much respected for their exploits during the Spanish American War. When a loyalty parade was held in 1917 for the Great War, it was Captain Edward C Butler who took the leading role, riding a gallant steed to re-enact the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.
Preston had a wide variety of occupations. After his work as a baker, Preston was next the city collector and the captain of the night police force. He served as the third ward alderman for two terms and then was elected constable and deputy sheriff under Sheriff Swaim. He and his wife also operated the Butler House, a hotel on Front Street well into the 20th century.
In 1895 a Wild West Show was visiting Bloomington. Possibly Press Butler had been denied money owed by other traveling troupes in the past, in any case, he took drastic precautions. When the receipts were counted after the show, Press Butler presented a writ and claimed the receipts of $57 in payment of a hotel bill. A physical fight ensued in which Press was relieved of his billy club. He then pulled out his Colt 38 calibre revolver and shot wildly into the scrum. At the last moment, William Butler appeared, armed with two revolvers and very calmly advised everyone to cease fighting and allow Press Butler to execute his writ. Upon seeing the very soldierly young man, the crowd dispersed.
Mr. Butler was buried in the Park Hill Cemetery.