Painter, 81, Is Held For "Own Good"

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Robert F. Butterworth, now 81 and a familiar figure around Des Moines for a generation, was taken into custody over the weekend "for his own good", County Parole officer Joe Moore said Monday.
Over the years, Butterworth has attracted considerable attention. A sign painter by trade, he usually dressed in white overalls, wore gaudy rings on all fingers and would set up his painting equipment under trees, in alleys, or anywhere there was a job.
A lush red beard, now graying, and uncut hair added to his distinctiveness.
Moore, acting as executive secretary of the Iowa Humane Society, said he recently received many reports that Butterfield was living in a garage at 1186 Eighth st.
Moore said Butterfield claimed he bought the garage some time ago for $25, but that his ownership is disputed. Howver, he refused to vacate the place, Moore continued.
On Friday, Moore said he went to the garage and found Butterworth in bed, wrapped in several blankets and old army coats.
There was no heat, no water, and nothing to eat except crackers, Moore said. He added that the place was crammed with junk, leaving only a narrow passageway from the door to the bed.
Moore said he had to call police before Butterworth would budge from the garage. But he finally was taken to the county jail, and later to Broadlawns General Hospital for care. Efforts are being made to contact Butterworths relatives in Missouri.
"You have to hand it to the old man," Moore added. "He insists he can take care of himself and absolutely refuses help."
Butterworth has related how he spent many years, when a youth on the western ranges where he rode with the scout patrols during the last days of unrest in the Indian country.
It was in the booming times of the western cowtowns, he said, that he learned his trade. Many old false front stores and offices bore his signs-lettered in a distinctive style which he had continued to use throughout the years in Des Moines.
"I always put a little point at the top of some of the letters in my signs-that's my trademark and thousands of people have come to know it," he has explained.
Butterworth began wearing his beard during his days on the frontier and it is his boast that he has never cut his hair or his beard.
His trademark-attire, he said, often has caused him to be confused with Santa Claus but he took that philosophically.
"When children ask me if I am Santa Claus," he said. "I usually let them think I am and tell them to be good so that I can bring them some presents.:
The garage has been padlocked pending an inspection of Butterworth's possessions, Moore said.