Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-13
A CAREER OF CRIME.
A Hish-Handed Criminal Who
Died a Suicide.

A Hish-Handed Criminal Who
Died a Suicide.
The tragic death OF Ben Furlong By his
own hand at Alapaha two weeks ago is
fresh in the minds of those who read in
the NEWS the story Of the suicides life. A
gentleman who lives in Savannah and who
knew Furlong well said OF him yesterday
that he bad probably committed more
crimes without being punished than any
other man that ever lived in the State.
About four years ago Mr.. r. b. Reppard
fitted up a saw mill at VAUDEVILLE, on the
Brunswick and Western railroad, and
placed Ben Furlong and his brother John
in charge John came down to Savannah
one day and drew $500 to pay off the
hands at the mill. That was the last
ever seen or heard of him until the news
came of his death. He was killed in
Texas while resisting arrest by a Sheriff.
Soon after John ran away to Texas Ben
began drinking heavily, wholly neglect
ing his wife and family. One
day he rode up to his house with
notorious woman from Savannah and
taking her in presented her to his wife,
saying: "Pocahontas, how do you like
thisi"
The dishonored wife broke into tears,
whereupOn her husband seized her bv her
hair and dragged her across the floor,
stamping upon her and breaking chair
TO pieces across her body. The pair then
re-entered the buggy and drove OF. leaving
the wife unconscious upon the floor.
There she was found several hours later
by some passing neighbors. When her
story became known The utmost indigna-
ton prevailed. Parties OF men started
out in pursuit of the recreant husband.
He was caught up with at country
house, where he sat with Winchester
rife across his knee.
"Pll blow the brains out OF the first
man who dares to come near me-" he said
determinedly.
For several hours the posse stood at a
respectful distance, deeming discretion
tue better Part OF yalOr, and then retired
and left FurlOng master Of the situation.
FurlOng soon threw off all restraints,
aud wherever he went carried things with
high hand. Everybody stood in mortal
terror OF him aud the officers were all
afraid to arrest him or to interfere with
him. On one occasion he boarded the
train bound for Brunswick, and going
into the colored coach, took a seat. A me-
gro sat just in front OF him quietly
smoking cigar.
Throw that cigar out of the window"
ordered EurlOng.
81 have paid for my seat and have a
right TO smoke in here" was the reply.
Instantly Furlong caught the negro by
the head, pulled it back over the seat and
made several lunges into his throat with
his knife, and jumped from the car and
escaped into the woods.
Three or four months ago Fuvloug and
an engineer on the Brunswick and Al
bany railroad by the name Of Brock had a
misunderstanding about some money that
Furiong owed Brock. Meeting Brock
several DAYS afterwards, Furlong asked
him if he wanted the money. Brock re-
piled that he did, whereupon Furlong
said, "l GU do, - you; well, then, take
that" at the same time firing and danger
ously wounding the engineer.
These are but n few of the numerous
lawless and reckless deeds that were OF
frequent occurrence with Furlong Tor
some time before bis death. During bis
long career OF crime be never came TO
trial, and was In Jail but once.
A gentleman in whose direct employ he
was while at keppard's Mills said that
naturally he was one OF the best business
men he ever knew, and had he only let
whisky and cards and women alone his
life would have been a success.
. am satisfied" said the gentleman,
"tbat remOrse OF conscience drove him ~
putting an end TO his life. for during his
sober moments he would lament over his
misdeeds, and swear that he was going
to do better, but his reformation was oil
snort duration"