Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-17
BensOn,s Awful Escape.

DEATH IN LUDLOw-sTREET JAIL
The New York Herald to-day says: George, alias
Harry Benson, the Patti ticket swindler commit.
TED suicide at half-past last evening by jumping
from the second tier Of the Ludlow-street I'll to
the floor below. He died at quarter past 10 pm
At half-past In the evening Benson asked Jail.
keeper John Powers to escort him to a retiring
apartment Powers complied with his request
close behind his prisoner. When the stairway
leading to the second tier was reached Benson
boited his keeper and rushed up the stairs. He
was closely followed by Powers who was gaining
on him. When Benson reached the second tier he
threw himself to the grounl floor. He fell on his
side and received internal injuries DR.. NJ. Markie.
Crosby were Immediately called They did all In
their power to save the life or the man, but IN
successfully. Sheriff Grant and United states
Marshal Mcmahon were notified, and they at once
repaired to the jail coroner MESSENGER was noti-
tied, and the body will remain IN the jail until he
arrives. Keeper McCabe, to whom Benson offered
$4,000 to allow him to escape, was on duty at the
door OF the prison when the suicide occurred Time
and again during the proceedings In this city look.
clared that TO return Jhither was equivalent to
signing his death warrant. Since the Supreme
Court decided that he should be sent thither his
morbid fear became intensified, and he again de-
clared with greatest emphasis that he, knowing
as he did the vindictivenesS OF the Mexican tenn
permanent, would rather die than go there.
some Slight Confusion Existed.
From the Pittsburg Chronicle.
Washington politician to Pittsburg ball crank
"Whltney has made a hit in Washington"
Pittsburg baseball crank-"Yes; he's doing well
this year."
"And Clevelands third year seems promising fol
the gang"
You bet. He's good one. but Kuehne takes
who takes the cake7"
"Don't know him myself Suppose he's local
candidate"
eyes, and he's got the Point delegation with
"Ah! He may show some strength in st. Louis
The selection Of Fuller Will strengthen us In the
West"
"When did you get him9 I thought he was with
the New orleans team"
"No; he's IN Chicago"
"Wel, AnsOns all the time picking up new
"Yes; the old man has a habit Of taking new
men like Phelps and Fuller"
"Phelps? Where's he playtng?"
''Oh, he's In Washington now, you know. I'm
sorry the New iorKers didn't take to young
che seems to be popular in Buffalo"
~ suppose his color was against him in New
Ellis color."
"Yes; he's a coon, you know
''Get out. He's white all around
"What! Grant OF the BuffalOes?"
81 don't know about his being in Buffalo. He's
oeen living IN New York since the old man died."
WY, Uidut, you ass Zen. Grant, Y. =. Grant.
Did you ever hear OF him?"
well, swear. You mean Col. Fred. Grant
and Fuller, the new Chief Justice-ho! no! and
Grover Cleveland? and Secretary Whitney? Well,
I'm Dressed! thought you were talking about
men-real men who can hit the ball"
SHOT HIMSELF IN BED BESIDE HIS COUsIN.-Jas.
ID. Harper, a wealthy resident OF Davisvle, Md,
committed suicide Tuesday morning by shooting
himself In the head while lying In bed beside his
cousin, James Armstrong. Harper was at his un-
cie's house, and slept there by invitation Of his
cousin. When the latter first awOke Harper sug-
geSted that IL was rather early and that they sleep
awhile longer. Armstrong consented and took
another nap, from which he was awakened by the
report OF pistol to ind his bedfellow beside him
with bullet in his head and the smoking re-
volver In his hand. Harper lived long enough 10
tell how he came to shoot himself Soon alter
Armstrong had fallen asleep he began thinking OF
his business difficulties, his eyes fell upon the
volver lying on the bureau, and he came to the
conclusion that 1t was best to put an end TO him.
self. Acting upon this idea, he arose, got the
weapon, lay down, closed his eyes, and fired
Young Harper was well connected lie had been
married only a short time.