The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-14
DEATH OF CART. THOMAS p. BENSON


Our community has seldom beon more
sorrow-stricken than by the announce
mont Of the death Of Capt. Thomas Pruo
Benson, which occurred under somo-
what mysterious circumstances In room
81 Of tho Palmetto House OF tSpartanburg,
cf which ha wna proprietor. on last Sat-
urdey afternoon. Capt. Benson, who
appeared 10 be in excellent health up TO
the afternoon of his death, complained
OF severe headache and foeling badly, SO
that inntead OF going to Groenvllo on
some business connected with his hotel
ho went up to his room to rest A little
before six o'clock tho hotel clerk went to
wake him as business required his
presence. The room was locked, and
after knocking tho clerk forced the door.
Upon entering :he room he found Capt.
Benson lying dead across the bed. A
Coroner 6 inquest was held Mt which the
following note found IN his memoran-
dunn book III tho pocket of suit which
he did not have on at the time OF his
death, was produced:
SPARTANDURa, June, 1880.
IT. AH IPhom II Afdy Concern:
ey .every day, and I think that never
will be able to pay all that owe. For
that reason commit the deed.
lam THos. p. BENSON.
wish 70 DO buried plain and quietly.
Thos. p. BENSON.
This led some to the conclusi on that he
had committed suicide, but tho physi-
clans who examined tho stomach and
brain gave the opinion that he 6iod from
congestion OF the brain. The stomach
and brain, however, wero sent to
Charleston for analysis, and .he inquest
adjourned 10 next Monday. We have no
idea that there Is any truth in the theory
OF suicide or poison. The gonulneness
of the note found being disputed, differ
ent witnesses expressing different opin-
ions on that subject, and It's date four
months ago giving it very little weight
gor shis time. Capt. Benson's position
also indicated somo sudden attack,
which would not have been the case with
poison. Then the cause assigned was
no. operative at tho timo of his death.
During the past threo months bis busi-
ness was excellent, and on tho I1th Of
this month, but two days after his death,
he was TO have rcmovsi to the Largo now
hotol iii Spartanburg, because the Pal
motto House was not sufficient to accom-
modato his business He had property
to represent his Indebtedness, and owed
no one but friends who were ablo and
perfectly willing to accommodate him as
long ga necessary, and to n larger amount
If he had occasion for 1t. These reasons
10, u III
moi u suicide.
Capt. Benson was ono of the most sim
core, manly and honorable man we over
knew, He made friends rapidly wherever
ne went, and always retained them by his
affable and admirable disposition and
qualities. He was member Of the
Presbyterian Church, and his habits and
Mfe were always up 10 tho PToffssssiio,:::: PToffssio,:: he
made, he was generous, kind and affec-
tionato--in fact, as pure man as could
be found. The greater portion OF his life
was spent in our midst, and 1t Is there
fore particularly Had to our people that
: i.la -lAa.l. sl.-..l.l be s...-..:.:.:!e.. T..
doubt, In which we do not ahnre.
On Monday afternoon tho remains OF
( the deceased were placed to rest in tho
Preabytarian cemetery at this place after
appropriate funeral services, conducted
by Rev. d. e. Frierson, in the presence
Of . very large nssemblage OF rsia-
tives and friends, The stores were all
closed, and the town boil tolled In re-
spect to his memory. The bereayed
family have the sincereat sympathy OF
! orr psople in their afiiiction.