Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-12-03
:ATHER AND MOTHER.
Nov. "a, 1879.
Death II Or. ". ". Bennett.

er friend and fchow-citizcu. DR.. ". W. Ben
nett. DIR. Bennett was well known in
Claiborne parisl, having resided in Homer
for many years, and having represented
term. The deceased was n good kind
hearted man, loved by all those who
knew him intimately His death will be
monrned by numerous friends aud large
circle of relations:
The community WAS shocked Sat
nr,lal by the saul news that DR.. w.
W. Bennett had died from an over
dose OF morphine. This reporter re.
paired To the opposite side of the
river, where the unfortunate man
lay diving. and obtained the follow.
ing facts
DIR. Bennett had for some months
been confined to his bed by severe
illncsS-ffpn lung trouble, and on
Tuesday last, by tia advice of his
physician. went 10 the opposite side
of the river to visit the family of
Mrs. Smith thinking change of air
and diet might have beneficial eff
tect npon him. Friday evening his
wife went over with the intention of
bringing The Doctor home. but find.
ing him in fine spirits and appar.
entity better than be- had been for
some time. concluded to let him re-.
main for day or two longer.
Saturday morning he sent To town
for Il bottle of morphine. to the use
of which, in small quantities. he had
become addicted during his c0utine.
ment. AT nine O'Clock his wife pro.
posed to give him his medicine.
which he refused to take, saying
that, if left alone, he could 90 to
sleep. His wife lett the room and
III about an hour looked in and found
him in II calm sleep. Two hours
later nonriShment WAS carried in
and an attempt made To arouse him.
All efforts were useless. and result.
ed only IN iucohrrrni murmurings
from th" unhappy mau.
y messenger WAS dispatched tor
phlSlc and AZ one o'clock re.
turned with DIR. Egan, who instant.
~, upon seeing the sufferer, declar.
eel that he had taken an overdose of
aud that there was no
hope OF his recovery. Every resto.
ratlrc and antilote to be thought
OF was administered. but ONLY had
The effect OF arouSing the doctor to
for II few minutes,
during which time hp denied having
taken ANYTHING, subS,qucnt devel.
opWcniS. however. proved the truth
ut DIR. Egan'S apprrhensions. 4
morphine bottle, containing
Dnly small portion of the drug.
found under the armoir and an
empty glass near the bed, told the
sad tale.
The sufferer fingered until four
o'clock SUNDAY morning. when
breath ceased and his soul was sum.
moned To the presence OF his Maker.
His remains were followed to their
last resting place large con.
ronrSe of sorrowing friends SUNDAY
evening. He leavesa wife to mourn
his loss.
DIR. Bennett was native of Mis-.
souri,, ana served the Confederacy
through the late rebellion IA sur.
:eon in the eighth Missouri regiment
III 1860 he came to Louisiana and
practiccd medicine in Caiborne
parish, where he married a Miss
Blackman, daughter of. G.. BLACK.
man. and sister OF Wilbur r. BLACK.
man. present Judge of the Rapides
district and Democratic nominee for
reelection. He represented Clai. |
borne parish in the Legislature dnr.
wo terms. In 1869, DIR. Bennett
having accumulated a snug little
fortune by his practice. went n tho
roast near Sabine Pass and attempt.
ri 10 raise sea island cotton. The
season was unfavorable and the
venture proved a failure. He then
nrnrd'" his old home in Claiborne
ana resumed the practice of his nro.
frssion. " "'' P'o'
IN 1919 he came to Shreveport
aI,a engaged in the grWery business
WIN the hrm Of Cane & Owsley
and afferward, on his own acconnt
ana, IN both instances, was unfor
'unafe' In 1877 he again returned
10 n,s profession, and practiced il
nntil bis late illness.