Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-11


Benson made his re- entry into the United
States in the custody of United States
Marshal Franks this evening. He arrived
from Europe on the steamship Lain, this
being her first trip. The Lain came to
anchor at Quarantine late this afternoon,
when it was evident that the binding
snow-storm which came up suddenly
would make it unsafe to proceed any
farther tonight. There it seemed probable
that the steamship and all her passengers
would be compelled 10 pass the night. A
revenue cutter went down, however, and
by courtesy Marshal Franks and his
prisoner were taken on board and brought
to the city, while all others were kept on
the ship all night. The only person who
witnessed the arrival OF Benson (the Gus
toms officers excepted, was your corre-
spondent.
The revenue cutter. with your humble
servant on board, left the barge-office dock
about 4:30 P. NJ The weather was bitter
cold, with a stiff breeze blowing. Steam
ships coming in were laden heavily with
ice. Soon a snow-storm set in heavily.
The cutter plowed her way through a literal
sea of ice on the way to the Quarar tine. II
was so misty with snow that the cutter,
which was under the command of Board
ing Officer O'Neill, was more than once on
the point of turning back. Had this inten-
ton been carried out, Benson would not
have been landed until tomorrow.
THE NOTED TOURIST on DECK.
The Lain was sighted through the storm
| about 6 o'clock. She is an immense
steamer, and when her tier of lighted bulls
eyes cleaned through the snow it looked
large enough for hotel. The revenue
men thought at first it was impossible that
it could be steamer. When the cutter
was alongside the Lain the snow fell in
| sutfocating gusts, the wind shrieked though
| the rigging, and 1t was almost impossible 10
stand on the cutters deck, but both Benson
and Franks were on the steamers deck.
The boarding officer from the cutter
| went on the steamer and gave Franks per-
mission to land with his prisoner Little
time was wasted in parley, Benson back
ing first down the steep ladder to the cut
| ters decks in the darkness and Franks
followed. Benson's luggage, consisting of
a large valise was handed down. When
Benson entered the cabin of the cutter it
was seen at once that
GREAT CHANGE
Had taken place in his physical condition
since he left San Francisco for travel
abroad. His coat, which originally fitted
closely, Tapped halfway over He was,
however, i'll good spirits, seemingly, and at
once said that 50 far from being unwilling
to return TO San Francisco, he was anxious
to do so. and that but for interference he
would have been in San Francisco at his
appointed time. He had written out q
statement on this point, which was as fol-
lows:
| BENSON'S own STORY
I was in Europe on business left the iuris-
diction of the Court with the full consent and
! knowledge of my bondsmen, and with the
| knowledge of the District Attorney on De-
| cember lst l received telegram stating that the
| Grand Jury had reported and for me 10 return
at once, as was wanted. l can prove, in the
plainest manner, by several kilograms and let
| JerS, that was in the act of returning when /
| was arrested, and had l been allowed to have
| communication with my attorney, am sure l
| would have been cleared at once. Iregard nv
| arrest as great outrage, as l was under bonds
to return when wanted, and the bonds had not
| been forfeited and by arrest | was prevented
| from returning and answering in Court on the
| day on which my bondSlnen agreed to have me
| there.
| A PROMISED SENSATION.
This statement Benson had seemingly
intended TO use in lieu of an interview. but
when questioned he said he had great
deal to say, should lie think it best after
consultation with his attorney, ex. Congress-
man Frank Hurd. He had statement
which would cause q sensation. He did
not want to make these at this time.
HIS EXPERIENCE ABROAD.
He did not object, however, to telling the
substance of his story, since he arrived at
Copenhagen, while Withholding some par
ticulars It was true, as reported in this coun-
try by cable, that he was first arrested at the
| instance of an English detective on suspi-
cion that he was an American dynamiter.
| The British detective shadowed him one
week, and was satisfied that he filed
| the description OF a man wanted as a dy-
namiter, and so he clapped him into soil
tary confinement. Had there not been
mistake in his remittances, he would
have been on his way to America several
| days before he was arrested, but once in
Jail i'll solitary confinement he remained
| there about two months. After some days
it was concluded that he was not the dyna-
miter wanted, but he was held without any
charge that he knew Of. He learned, how
ever, that he was wanted in America
Benson's story concerning his Jail life in
Copenhagen is interesting. He says that
he was completely isolated-so much so
that he found it impossible to have any
communication with friends, with Ameri-
can Consul, or Minister and finally failed
in an attempt to communicate with Secre.
any letters or kilograms, or to send any,
and was denied the privilege of Sc
curing counsel. The old indictments
found against him in California
were seized in his baggage and were held
to be evidence against him. He offered to
prove that these indictments were quashed,
but was not permitted to do anything in
this direction. Finally ne was told by
United States Minister Anderson that ex-
1 zxr-ar 4Ia L..
return to the United States.
DELIGHTED TO SEE THE MARSHAL.
He did not wish to offer any objection to
returning to this country, and hoped that
the officer to come for him would be
Marshal Franks. Consequently he was de-
lighted when he saw that iovial official.
although he came to take him into custody
How did they treat you in Copen-
hagen 2" asked your correspondent.
Benson seized his vest with both hands
| and pulled it out until there was sufficient
room under it to place good-sized satchel.
That's how" he said with laugh.
Now" continued Benson, if YOU
could see the dispatches which Frank
Hurd received from me, and which he has
1t would appear perfectly plain that not
only had no intention to remain abroad
but that was expecting to start at once for
the United States just before was arrested.
After seeing Hurd may have an addi-
| uonai statement to make. l have one
written out, and if he says so will give it
to the press for publication. at present
this is all care to say.'
INTERVIEW WITH MARSHAL FRANKS.
Marshal Franks was then interviewed.
| He told of his departure tor Europe, as it
has been previously recorded. When asked
| if he did not know before he had
reached Washington that it would be
hopeless to try TO conceal his identity bv
false name he laughed, and said that
he really didn't care much when he was
found out. He had no objection to showing
the requisition upon which Benson was de-
| ivered into his custody. This document
was dated at Washington, January 10th.
and was signed By President Cleveland and
Secretary Bayard. The directions con-
tained in the document were carried out
| TO the letter so far by Franks He ar
rived in Copenhagen January 3d. Three
! days later he started with Benson in Gus
tody for the United States, and by good
fortune caught the steamship Lain. which
! proved TO be an exceptionally fast vessel.
/ oh all ~c