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 General Sherman, retired General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, invites Maj. Richard Butler to a dinner at his home in New York City, which the mayor will also attend.
William T. Sherman (1820-1891). Autograph Letter Signed (“W. T. Sherman”). New York, September 8, 1889. To Richard Butler. 1 p, 5 ½” x 8 ½”.
Inventory# 20384 $950
Transcript:
No 75 – West 71 St
New York, Sept 8. 1889
Richard Butler Esq-
Union League Club – NY –
Dear Butler
We have with us a much accomplished young lady of St [Rose?], who has a sweet voice. I have invited his Honor Mayor [Hugh] Grant to dine with us on Wednesday Sept 11 at 7 oclock. Please come, and oblige
Your Friend,
W. T. Sherman
(answer)
I have invited Cooper (appraiser)
402 Washington St.
Maj. Richard Butler (1831-1902) came to New York from Ohio in 1846 as a clerk, and about the year 1851 became a partner in the firm of William H. Cary Co., continuing with the company until its dissolution in 1879. Thereon, he entered the rubber business, forming the Butler Hard Rubber Co., with works at Butler, New Jersey. He was one of the founders and a Trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and as “Secretary of the committee for the erection of Bartholdi’s Statue of Liberty…he achieved the success of the undertaking after twelve years of hard work.” For this, France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. In addition, Butler served 8 years in the New York State Militia, on the staff of Gen. Ward, attaining the rank of Major. He also had a private collection of American paintings, which may well account for Sherman's mentioning an appraiser, Mr. Cooper, in this letter.
References:
The New York Times, November 13, 1902.
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