The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-21

veyed Ne was taken TO the scailold and shown
the trap. He simply remarked that his face
would have been 20 the north. He was then
returned 10 his cell. where he will remain until
this morning.
Gov. Hovey when asked his reasons for COM
muting the sentence said that twas in part due
20 the youth Of the prisoner and also because
ignorance and stupidity has played great part
In the crime. 81 do not think Benson insane,
said he. "still he was deficient in mental facul'
ties and not bright in any way.
The petitions for clemency were many and
very urgent TliN trial judge and attorneys on
both sides were among those asking for a COM
mutation OF the sentence. With such strong
claims deemed IL wise to interfere and give
the boy life sentence"
The governor seemed gratifed that his private
secretary Mr.. Roberts, had arrived nj the prison
and notified Benson OF the action which saved
his life. When told how the boy received the
news he did not seem surprised, and again re.
iterntcd that he not bright.
The governors action in committing the sem
tence Is his first action in a murder case. Had
the execution occurred IL would have been the
first hanging under the recent act passed OF the
general assembly requiring all executions to be
performed in one OF the two state prisons the
warden to act as executioner.
The scaffod was in readiness and all plans
perfectly arranged for carrying out the pro-
visions OF the law when the governors message
was received, virtually calling back the soul Of
few short hours il was TO be sprung.
The crime for which William Benson was to
have been executed was committed Dec. Q,
1888 near Edwardsville, small town IN Floyd
county, five miles from New Albany. His vic
tins, Jacob Motweiler and vile, were respected
Germans and ordinarily well-to-do people.
Benson, aged twenty-one, was their farm hand.
As soon as Benson was arrested he made a con-
fession. He stated that there was motive
which prompted him 20 commit the deed fur
H., that 81 81 AL oh faH
him paying court to Sallie Snyder. a comely
girl OF nineteen, who resided with the Motweil-
ers. He said that he and Motweiler went to
the woods 10 shoot squirrels on the
the old mans rifle, and, reaching a point
half mile away from the house,
they separated, Motweiler turning in the direc-
lion OF the house. He waited until Motweiler
got good distance from him, when he turned
and began 10 sneak stealthily up behind his
victim who, when he fired at him. was not 100
yards away. The ball struck Motweiler in the
head and killed him. Benson then went on TO
the house, where he found Mrs. Motweiler en-
gagged in milking. He passed by her unnoticed
and going into the house procured Ratchet.
He then returned 20 where she was
milking and stealing mp close TO her
cut her fearful cash on the head. The wO-
man gave one scream and sank back uncon-
scious She fingered along for many weeks
but finally died. Sallie Snyder was also arrested
as an accomplice and denied having any
knowledge Of the crime, but said that she
believed that Benson committed the crime for
the purpose of getting the old people out Of
the way, 80 that be might marry her. She was
afterward released. Benson was threatened
with lynching, and this probably would nave
been his fate had he not been promptly taken
for safety 70 the state prison at Jacksonville
He was tried in March, found guilty and sen
fenced 70 be hanged Aug. p. He recently
made statement again, duplicating Sallie Sny
der in the murder, but the developments a
uvifh