Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-11-12
Thomas II. Benton and Washington
Rnnkspllpr.

The Washington correspondent Of the
Cincinnati Commercial tells this story of
Thomas II. Benton:
"Shillington is an Irish bookseller here,
of credit and renown. Benton was neigh
Dor and friend of his, and made Shilling
ton cut out of books and newspapers every
conceivable article upon the Pacific Rail
way and bring it to him He also employ
ed Shillington to select from the Congress
sionaI Globes, which were brought to his
house in street by the cart load, the mat
ter that he wished in publishing his
'Abridgemsnt of the Debates of Congress-
'It was strange and remarkable study,"
said Shillin6ton, ''to see that old man ly-
ing there fat on his back, unable to rise,
his spectacles poised on the tip of hisnose,
looking through tho long debates, whose
huge folios he held on. his breast He
knewh had but week or two to hve,and
he was running q race with death to get
the book finished; for he believed that it
was the vital thing to keep the country to-
gether. He used to send me word four or
five times day tocome up there, and the
people said was his slave. If did not
come promptly on time, the old gentleman
seemed to ieel that,I was in some way
derelct in my duty to the country
Gone day. when the shop was full OF
people, word came down, MIR. Benton
wants you to come at two o'clock to help
him on an important matter. As soon rs
could possibly leave went around to his
dwelling and found him asleep, breathing
very hard, with large volume Of the
Globe on his breast. lifted the book of
and set it on table little out of reach.
Then, seeing that he did not yet awaken,
hastened back to my work. In about two
hours returned, and the old man looked
very severely at me.
Z" I sent for you, sir, two hours ago.
have bat month at most to live, sir; and
it is important for the country that this
book shall be finished before l die. You
did not come sir
"Yes, Mr.. Benton, / did. And found
you asleep #
80 have not slept for fifty hours, sir
It was impossible that 1 could sleep, sir
with so much on my mind
"Benton never trusted q man that tolt
him lie, so found it necessary to cleai
myself
"Mr. Benton, said !, you were asleel
with aTolume Of the Globe on your breas
when entered the room, and found yor
breathing hard, so put the book on tn
table yonder.'
"The old mans eyes lighted up.
"'Well, now, sir, he said, 4 knew hat
that book on my breast or on the bet
somewhere, and wondered how it got Of
there so far. Perhaps l did doze q littl
unconsciously. But come, sir, we mus
get to work. l have but little time to d,
o great deal Of work in.
''Dr. Hall and his colleague, to prolonI
the life Of Benton, opened the old man
abdomen, and taking out his bowels Will
he was still conscious, proceeded to cleans
them. At one place they found som
grape skins; then they found bits Of wood
which he used to chew abstractedly Will
writing or reading
"Look on, gentlemen, said the old mar
feeblyiw1 dare say you will find Congre'
siondl Globes next.
when Benton was shout to die, 8
vital did he think his advice WAS to th
country, he sent for Buchanan, had th
door closed, and solemnly devoted his lai
hours to impreesing upon the Presider
his opinion Of tie mode in which the go
eminent should be administered II ev'
there was man." concluded Shillingtol
"who thought that in his mind and reasc
10y the true destiny of the Union, it VIZ
Tom Benton. His family, his name, b
future were all subordinate to the love
country" -t