The Phoenix herald., 1880-08-06


 was published.
 General attention was thus drawn
 to the poor fellow, and a great many
 people came forward and helped him
 toward reform with. their cOunte-
 nance and encouragement. He did
 not drink drop for two months,
 good. Then he fell-in the gutter;
 and there was general sorrow and
 lamentation. But the noble sister
 hood rescued him again. They clean
 ed him up. they led him, they listen
 ed to the mournful music of his re
 pentances. they got him his situation
 again. An account of this was also
 published, and the town was drowhed
 with happy tears over the re-restora-
 ton of the poor beset and struggling
 victim of the fatal bowl. A grand temperance revival was gotten up, and after some rOusing speeches had
 been made, the Chairman said, i'm pressively, I've are now about to call for signers, and think there is a spectacle in store or you which not many in the house will be able to
 view with dry eyes" There was an eloquent pause, and then George Benton, escorted by a red-sashed detachment of the ladies of the re- fuge, stepped forward upon the platform and signed the pledge The air was rent with applause, and every body cried for joy. Everybody wrung the hand of the new convert when the meeting was over; his salary was enlarged next day; he was the talk of the town and it's hero. Account of it was published.
 George Benton fell every three months, but was faithfully rescued and wrought with every time, and geod situations found for him. Finally he was taken around the country featuring as a reformed drunkard, and he had great houses. and did an immense amount of good.
 He was so popular at home, and so trusted during his sober intervals, that he was enabled to use the name of principal citizen, and get 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 success ful-he was 'sent up" for only two years When. at the end of year, the tireless efforts of the benevolent were crowned with success, and he emerged from the penetentiary with a pardon in his pocket, the Prisoners Friend Society met him at the door with situation and a comfortable salary, and all the other benevolent people came forward and gave him advice, encouragement and help. Edward Hills had once applied to the Prisoners Friend Society for a situation, when in dire need, but the question, Have you been a prisoner ?'' made brief work of his case.
 While all this things were going on, Edward Mills had been quietly making head against diversity. He was still poor, but was in receipt of a salary as cashier of bank. George Bennett never came hear him, and was never heard to inquire :@:hant him. George got to indulgihg in long absences from the town; there were ill reports about them, but nothing defini-e.
 One winters night some masked bui'~~lars forced their way into the | bank and found Edward Mills there alone. They commanded him to re- veal the combination, so that they | could get into the safe. He refused. | They threatened his life. He said l his employers trusted him. and he | could not be a traitor to the trust. | He could die, if he must, but while | he lived he would be faithful; he | would not yield Up the combination. ! The burglars killed him.
 The detectives hunted down the | the chief one proved to be | George Benton. 4 wide sympathy l was felt for the widow and orphans | Of the dead man, and all the news papers in the land begged that all | the banks in the land would testify 1 their appreciation of the fidelity and | heroism of the murdered cashier by l coming forward with generous | of money in aid of his | family, now bereft of support. The | result was a mass of solid cash | amounting to upward of Sj00-an average of nearly three eighths of cent for each bank in the Union. The ! cashiers own bank testified its gra.i- -udc by endeavoring to show (but humiliatingly failed in lD that the peerless servants accounts were not square, and that he himself had | 5noclled his brains out with bud geUn to escape detection and punish nent
 George Benton was arraigned for rial; then everybody seemed to for get the widow and orphans in their ;olicitude for poor George. Every hing that money and influence could 10 was done to save him, but 1t all iailed; he was sentenced to death. StraIghtway the Governor was be- ;ieved with petitions for commuta- ion or pardon. They were brought ly fearful young girls, by sorrowful ,ld maids, by deputations of pathetic by shoals of impressive orphans. But no, the. Governor, for once, wouldsnot yield.
 The glad news flew all mound. From that time forth his ell was always full of girls and wO- nen and fresh flowers all the day ong there was prayer and hymn inging and thanksgivings and homi- ies and tears, with never an interrup- ion, eXceptan occasional five minute for refreshments.
 This sort of thing continued up to he very gallows. and George Benton vent proudly home in the black cap, before wailing audience of the weetest and bet that the region .ould produce. Ills grave had fresh lowers on it every day for awhile, nd the headstone bore these words, lnder a hand pointing aloft: 'He las fought the good fight"
 The brave cashiers headst0ne has his inscription: Be pure, honest, ober, industrious, considerate, and -ou will never"
 Nobody knows who gave the order 0 leave it that way, but it was given.
 The cashiers family were in strin- ,cnt circumstances now, it is sad, mt no matter; lot of appreciative 'eople, who were not willing that an ct so brave and tru as his should go have collected S43.O00- nd built a memorial church with it.
 z1z==E<zzzz-rE-=HEa--z
 Complete Census returns give ,anta Fe six thousand six hundred l