The ship was the one that the owners said that "God Himself could not sink" -- the Titanic.
If this is the same person as my earlier readings on the Titanic, he was very much dismayed at that time that Teddy Rooservelt was going to run against Taft (from the Bullmoose party), and that was on of the reasons that Butt went to Europe -- to decide who he would back in the coming election.
the reasons that Butt went to Europe -- to decide who he would back in the coming election.Butt went to Europe for a vacation, for rest. He was a nervous wreck over the impending Roosevelt challenge to Taft, but not because he was uncertain about his own loyalties. He loved Roosevelt, but he remained dedicated to Taft. His nerves suffered this clash of emotions, which is why Taft insisted he take the vacation. The timing of it was such that he would return for the launch of the primary campaign, when he felt his boss, Taft, would most need him.
Through his daughter, Alice, Roosevelt had approached Butt to warn him to jump ship. Butt refused. Rather, he took offense at the notion, and stood by Taft in greater fervor.
Ironically, Butt's death contributed to Taft's decision to openly respond to Roosevelt's taunts. Before, Taft refused to reply in kind; after Butt's death, he returned fire. Butt had been Roosevelt's aide-de-camp for about a year. To Taft, he represented a link to a lost friendship. When Butt was gone, so was that connection. Taft then went to town on Roosevelt and held the Republican nomination. He did it just in time.
Butt died the hero on the Titanic.
Glad you enjoyed the letters.