Published as it appeared on April 6, 1916, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Page 1, Column 4.
Aged Man Drops
Dead in Field
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Terry Butler, an aged gentleman who lived with a niece, Mrs. Henry Ebbert on Beaver Creek, dropped dead yesterday in a field. He had been in apparent usual health, having remarked during the day that he felt as well as in recent years.
W.J. Wilbanks, octogenarian of this city, was at the Ebbert home yesterday and he and Mr. Butler walked out into the field, Mr. Wilbanks taking his fishing outfit with him. On suggestion of fishing Mr. Butler suggested that Wilbanks go on and fish and that in the meantime he would do a few chores, among which was the sawing in two of a little tree. Henry Ebbert, husband of the dead man’s niece, was in the field plowing and observed Mr. Butler from a short distance away sawing. The next time he observed Mr. Butler the old man appeared to be sitting down. After plowing about four rounds he observed that Mr. Butler was still in the same position and that he was coatless. That Mr. Butler should sit so long without coat caused Mr. Ebbert to wonder if something was wrong and he went to the spot only to find that the man had fallen onto his saw and was dead.
The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock from Oak Ridge church, and interment will be in Newton cemetery.
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Editor’s note: According to Mr. Butler’s death certificate, he was born Feb. 18, 1844 in Missouri and died April 5, 1916. The cause of death was listed as “organic heart disease.” Mr. Butler went by his middle name, Terry.