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The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain is a memorial fountain located in the President's Park in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Dedicated in October 1913, it commemorates the deaths of Archibald Butt (the military aide to President William Howard Taft) and Francis Davis Millet (a journalist and painter, and Butt's close friend and housemate). Both men died during the sinking of the RMS ''Titanic'' on April 15, 1912. ==Genesis of the memorial fountain== Archibald Butt was a Captain in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps who had served in The Philippines from 1898 to 1904; Washington, D.C., from 1904 to 1906, and Cuba from 1906 to 1908.〔"Butt, Archibald Willingham DeGraffenreid," in ''The Encyclopedia of Louisville'', p. 150.〕 Theodore Roosevelt had become acquainted with Butt's logistics and animal husbandry work in the Philippines and was impressed by his hard work and thoughtfulness.〔("Major Archibald Butt." ''New York Times.'' April 16, 1912. ) Accessed 2012-05-18.〕 Taft had served as chair of the Second Philippine Commission (the body which was organizing a civilian government in the country in the wake of the Spanish-American War and the first battles of the Philippine–American War) from 1900 to 1901 and as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1901 to 1904. Taft knew Butt well from their time together overseas.〔 Roosevelt asked Butt to serve as his military aide in April 1908.〔Gould, p. 208.〕 When Taft became president in March 1909, he asked Butt to stay on as military aide. Butt proved to have strong negotiating skills and a good head for numbers, which enabled him to become Taft's ''de facto'' chief negotiator on federal budget issues.〔Bromley, p. 52.〕 In 1911, Butt was promoted to the rank of major.〔 Butt lived in a large mansion at 2000 G Street NW (now demolished).〔"Maj. Butt's Home Sold." ''Washington Post.'' November 22, 1912.〕 Since about 1910, Butt and Millet had lived together in the house.〔Brewster, p. 30.〕 (Millet's wife, Lily, resided in the Millet home in Italy.) "Millet, my artist friend who lives with me" was Butt's designation for his companion. They were known for throwing spartan but large parties that were attended by members of Congress, justices of the Supreme Court, and President Taft himself.〔(Davenport-Hines, Richard. "The History Page: Unsinkable Love." ) ''The Daily.'' March 20, 2012. Accessed 2012-05-18.〕 Newspapers characterized the intense, deep friendship the men shared as a "Damon and Pythias" relationship.〔"Millet Planned Trip." ''Washington Post.'' April 18, 1912.〕 By 1912, Taft's first term was coming to an end. Roosevelt, who had fallen out with Taft, was known to be considering a run for president against him. Close to both men and fiercely loyal, Butt began to suffer from depression and exhaustion.〔Abbott, p. xi–x.〕 Millet (himself one of Taft's circle) asked Taft to give him a leave of absence to recuperate before the presidential primaries began. Taft agreed and ordered Butt to go on vacation.〔Garrison, p. 89.〕 Butt left on a six-week vacation to Europe on March 1, 1912, accompanied by Millet.〔"Major Butt on Sick Leave." ''New York Times.'' March 1, 1912.〕 Butt booked passage on the RMS ''Titanic'' for his return to the United States. He boarded the ''Titanic'' on April 10, 1912; Millet boarded the ship at Cherbourg, France, later that same day. Butt and Millet were playing cards on the night of April 14 in the first-class smoking room when the ''Titanic'' struck an iceberg.〔Lynch, p. 84.〕 The ship sank two and half hours later, with a loss of over 1,500 lives. Both Butt and Millet went down with the ''Titanic''. Butt's remains were never found.〔Schemmel, p. 148.〕 Millet's body was recovered on April 27, and he was buried in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.〔"Millet's Body Found." ''Washington Post.'' April 28, 1912; "Funeral Services for Millet." ''New York Times.'' May 2, 1912.〕 Taft was devastated by Butt's death. When he learned Butt had not survived, he "broke down and wept, 'his whole body was shaken with convulsive sobs'."〔Quoted in Stephenson, p. 219.〕 On May 2, 1912, a memorial service was held in the Butt family home in Atlanta, Georgia. Taft spoke at the service, almost breaking down twice as he said:〔Quote in Mowbray, p. xvi.〕 A second ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., on May 5, during which Taft broke down and wept—bringing his eulogy to an abrupt end.〔"Taft in Tears as He Lauds Major Butt." ''New York Times.'' May 6, 1912.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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