Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-03
THE WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT. FRIDAY FEB B. 1ss8
A VICTIM OF THE OPIUM HABIT.
Benson and His Wife in Court-An Alice
 tionate Meeting.


 Benson and His Wife in Court-An Affec-
 tionate Meeting.
 Mrs William H. Benson, formerly of Brooklyn, N Y, but recently of No 57 Kingsbury street, this city, appeared be- fore Judge Bradstreet in the Police Court this morning to testify against her hus- band, who yesterday took his 8-year-old girl from her and discharged a revolver at her feet. Mrs Benson wore an elegant seal sacque, and hat of French pattern, trim med with crimson and green velvet with an ostrich tip to match set jauntily over round pleasant face, partially concealed by thin veil, but not sufficient to hide pair of lustrous black eyes that, as she told her story, occasionally stole 8 sympathetic rlance at the prisoner in the box. Dia- mond earrings depended from her ears and A cluster pin of the same valuable mineral glistened at her throat. There was every evidence in her dress of wealth and happi- aess Her years-old girl sat by her side. She was neatly attired and the flush of health on her plump cheeks gave evidence that she did not suffer for anything of the good things in this world The husband l showed the effects of dissipation. His face was unshaven and his hair disheveled. He wore good suit of clothes and a fine looking blue elesian overcoat. He seemed depressed and was evidently suffering from the want of drug. Attorney Donahue ap- peared to defend him.
 Mrs Benson told the court in a quiet way | that her husband was in business in Brook l lyn and had been paying her house rent l in this city and giving her $10 week for | the support of herself and three children. He loved his children she said and she thought he loved her, but his habits made i a different man of him. He was addicted to the opium habit and she did not think he was responsible for what he did yes terday afternoon.
 The court imposed fine of S1 and costs for intoxication and S1O and costs for breach of the peace. The charge of ab- son immediately stepped out of the pris- oners' box, and pulling out a roll of bills that looked big enough to purchase Judge Bradstreet's diamond ring, paid his fines and costs: 1 Husband and wife then met and embraced affectionately, and, kissing his little girl, he slipped ten dollar bill into her hand, great tears rolling down his cheeks as he did so. The motley crowd of spectators maintained respectful silence throughout the case and seemed affected by the scene.
 Benson was at one time an actor, but re- gently has been conducting restaurant at II krived in town on the 1T a. m. train to- day. He refused to say anything about the matter. He said he came here to ad- l just matters in the case and did not want his name connected with the affair.
 Benson was seen by DEMOCRAT repor- ter this afternoon, to whom he said: "I did not intend having any trouble with my wife. I only wanted to get my chil- dren so that could send them to some convent where they would be brought up young ladies. l would do anything for them. I love them dearly and l also love my wife, but it made the blood rush quickly through my veins, as I sat in court this morning, when I saw my wife coming into court with that woman who lives on Dublin street. It was no place to have my children, and I intend to take legal steps to get them away from such associations. I am sorry that this ever occurred and will feel ashamed when I return to Brooklyn this evening, for it has been telegraphed all over the country. I wish you would deny the story that some of the New York papers stated this morning that had obtained a divorce from my wife, for never did anything of the kind. We merely had disagreement and when the matter went into the court we both agreed to separate" As he boarded the 2:42 train this afternoon he said: II wish to thank the court officials and police for the kind treatment I received"
 It is thought that he is a little demented and at the Naugatuck station to-day he was inquiring about horse he said he had shipped from Brooklyn to this city by Adams Express.