The New York herald., 1873-10-21
THE WOMAN WITNESS IN STOKES, CASE.
Some Facts About the Family of Mil.
dred Benton, Alias Shotvcll.

From the Maysville (Ky) Republican,
Mr.. Caleb White, the father of Mildred Benton,
the mysterious witness in the Stokes case, now an
object of much curious interest throughout the
United States, was for many years citizen OF
Maysvle. and will be remembered by many of our
old inhabitants. He was the son OF old Jacob
White, who for many years prosecuted a suit
against the city OF Cincinnati for large portion OF
the property in front OF said city, known as the
City Grade, aud In which suit he successful In
the lower courts. After this recovery he was
thought to be very rich; but the case being taken
to the United States supreme Court was
reversed, and the ndelatigabe old htigant
lost fortune which for time he
thought almost within his grasp and died
some years afterwards, in reduced circumstances.
Caleb, thought to be the heir OF large fortune
that he married the beautiful MISS Catett, con-
ncted WI, with some OF the best ogna ae and
Mr.. Caleb White, the father OF Mildred, employed
himself chiefly, while residing In this place, in
prosecuting claims against the government
for Revolutionary and other pensions. In this,
Tor some time he was quite successful. While
he was man OF great vanity and pretensons, he
had many estimable qualities, and ranked as good
citizen. He was for some time member OF the
CITY Council, and took great pride IN faithful dis
charge OF his public duties. Among MS peculiarl-
b,G es WAS was propensity Tor the use their =.
morbid fondness for display in this respect may
be here given. While Bridge street was IN course
Ol Improvement ne was appointed Cuairman W tuV
committee having the work In charge. He Ielt
proud OF his position and took much interest IN
the job 1t progressed, and superintended u with
fidelity At one OF the regular meetings OF the
Council, at which the late General kcnara ooIns nn
was presiding, Mr.. Frank McClanahan, mel mDer
rom the First ward, having keen relish ior any
thing ludcrous and full OF dry humor, Thought 70
relieve the tedium OF duh session py drawing
Mr., White to the floor TOR speech Accordingly
he arose, and, addressing the President, said
..MR President the Council would be glad TO hear
from the chairman of the committee upon Bridge street
as 20 the progress OF that Improvement"
General Collins the President who knew the
fondness OF White for display and catching tn
stantly the purpose OF Mr.. McClanahan, blanuy
remarked that 'the Council would no doubt be
much grathed to hear from the indefatgable and
faithful chairman OF the committee on Bridge
street.n
Whereupon Mr.. White rose with great dignity,
and drawing himself to his loftiest height, adj
dressed the Chair in the following brief but grandi-
loquent manner
Mr.. PREsprsr.I am happy 70 inform the honorable
gentleman from the First ward that the work Bridge
street Is progressing annualy-every day somcunder
my SUPERVISION and will be done In a few days.
What Mr.. McClanahan had designed was accom-.
plished and the grave CITY Fathers were convulsed
by roar OF laughter, in which the usually dlgnlned
President botsterously participated.