The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-08-05

to view with dry eyes" There was
an eloquent pause, and then George
Benton, escorted by a red-sashed de-
tachment Of the Ladies Of the Refuge
stepped forward and signed the pledge
The air was rent with applause, and
everybody cried for joy. Everybody
wrung the hand Of the new convert
when the meeting was over; his sala-
~ was enlarged next day; he was the
talk Of the town and its hero. An
account Of it was published.
George Benton fell regularly every
three months, but was faithfully res
cued and wrought with every time,
and a good situation found for him.
Finally, he was taken around the
country featuring rs q reformed
drunkari, and he had great houses,
and did an immense amount Of good.
He was 80 popular at home, and SO
trusted-during his sober intervals
that he was enabled to use the name
of a principal citizen, and get o large
sum Of money at the bank. A
mighty pressure was brought to bear
to save him from the consequences Of
his forgery. and it was partially sue
cessful-he was ''sent up" for only
two years. When. at the end of
year, the tireless efforts Of the isenev-
client were crowned with success, and
lac emerged fr,In the penitentiary
with 4 pardon in his pocket, the Pris-
Oner's Friend Society met him At the
door with u situation aud comfOrta-
ble salary, and all other benevolent
people came forward and gave him
advice, encouragement and help. Ed
ward Mills had once applied to the
Prisoners Friend Society for n situa-
ton, when in dire need. but the Iues-
ton Have you ever been . prisoner
made brief work Of his case.
While all these things had been
going on, Edward Mills had been
quietly making head against adver>i-
ty. He was still poor, hut WAS in re-
ceipt of = steady, and sufficient salary
as the respected and trusted cashier Of
q bank. George Benton never came
near him, and was never heard to ask
about him. George got 10 indulging
in long absences from town. There
were i'll reports about him, but moth
ing definite.
One winters night some masked
burglars forced their way into the
hank, and found Edward Mills there
icy u
veal the combination" sd that they
could get into the safe. He refused
He said his employers trusted him,
and he could not I've traitor to the
trust. He could die, if he must, but
while he lived he would he faithful:
he could not yield up the '.combina-
ton" The burglars killed him.
The detectives hunted down the
a., Tho ohiaf ono ,,rn,.aI 20
be George Benton. 4 wide sympathy
was felt for the widow and orphans OF
the dead man, and all the newspapers
i'm the land begged that all the banks
i'm the land wOLld testify their appre-
citation Of the fidelity and heroism Of
the murdered cashier by coming for
ward with generous contribution of
money i'm aid Of his family, now be- |
reft Of support. The result was u
mass of solid cash, amounting To
upward of s5W'-an average Of nearly
three-eighths of u cent for each bank |
i'm the Union. The cashiers own |
bank testified its ingratitude by ell
,ieavoring to show (but humiliatingly |
failed i'm III that the peerless servants |
accounts were not square, and that he |
himself had knocked his brains out |
with a bludgeon TO escape detec-
ton.
George Benton was arraigned for
trial. Then everybody seemed to |
forget the widow and orphan. In their
sOIicitude for poor George. Every
thin. that money and influence could |
do WAS done To save him. but il nlI |
failed: he was sentenced to death.
Straiphtway the Governor was be-
sci.ed with petjtjous for communication |
or pardon. They were brought by |
fearful Young girls, by sorrowfil old |
maids, by deputatiOns Of disconsolate
widows, by shoals Of impressive or
phans. but no; the Governor for
once would not yield.
Now George Benton experienced |
religion. The glad news few all
around. From that time forth his cell |
was always full Of girls aid women