The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-14
DEATH or q carr. THOMAS 4 S 2. BENSON

,Ess Ouf Community udS oc3oOLAA 6SSA a4A0AS
sorrow-stricken than by the announce
ment OF the death of Capt. Thomas Prue
Benson, which occurred under some-
what mysterious circumstances in room
! 21 Of the Palmetto House at Spartanburg,
ofwhich he was proprietor, on last Sat-
urday afternoon. Capt. Benson, who
appeared to- be in excellent health up to
Che afternoon of his death, complained
of severe headache and feeling badly, 80
: that instead Of going to Greenvillo on
some business connected with his hotel
he went up to his room to rest. A little
before six o'clock the hotel clerk went to
wake him as business required mis-
presence. The room was locked, and
after knocking the clerk forced the door.
Upon entering the room he found Capt.
Benson lying dead across the bed. A
4 SCo.oner's inquest was held at which the
following note found in his memoran-
dunn book in the pocket of suit which
I he did not have on at the time Of his
death, was produced:
50 SPARTANBURG, June, 1851.
To Al WRoas II Nay Concern:
This is to. certify thatlI am losing mon
ey every day, and I think that l never
will be able to pay all that owe. For
that reason I commit the deed:
I wish to be buried plain and quietly.
THos. p. BENSON.
& This led some to the conclusion that he
had committed suicide, but the physi-
clans who examined the stomach and
brain gave the opinion that he died from
congestion of the brain. The stomach
and brain, however. we're sent to
Charleston for analysis, and the inquest
adjourned 10 next Monday. We have no
idea that there is any truth in the theory
Of suicide or poison. The genuineness
of the note found being disputed, differ
emit witnesses expressing different opin-,
: ions on that subject, and its date four
. months ago giving it very little weight
for this time. Capt. Benson's position
also indicated some sudden attack,
which would not have been the case with
poison. Then the cause assigned was
not operative at tho time of his death.
During the past three months his busi-
ness was excellent, and on the 11th Of
this month, but two days after his death,
he was to have removed to the large new
hotel in Spartanburg, because the Pal
metto House was not sufficient to accom-
I modate his business. he had property
{ to represent his Indebtedness, and owed
no one but friends who were able and
perfectly willing to accommodate him as
long as necessary, and to larger amount
If he had occasion for it. These reasons
seem to us conclusive that his death was
not suicide.
Capt. Benson was one Of the most sim
cere, manly and honorable men we ever
knew. He made friends rapidly wherever
he went, and always retained them by bis
affable and admirable disposition and
qualities. He was member Of the
Presbyterian Church, and his habits and
life were always up to the profession he
made. He was generous, kind and affec-
tionate-in fact, as pure man as could
be found. The greater portion of his life
was spent in our midst, and it is there
fore particularly sad to our people that
his death should be surrounded by a
doubt, in which we do not share.
On Monday afternoon the remains OF
the deceased were placed to rest in the
Presbyterian cemetery at this place after
appropriate funeral services, conducted
by Rev. d. E. Frierson, in the presence
of very large assemblage of rela-
tiyes and friends. The stores were all
closed, and the town bell tolled in re-
spect to his memory. The bereaved
family have the sincerest sympathy Of
our people in their af1iction.