The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-23
THE BESwELL MURDER TRIAL.


tho Opening Address.
WOODSTOCK. Ont. Sept 22.-The trial Of
Burchell for the murder OF the young
Engiishman, Benwell, began this morning.
The prisoner was faultlessly attired and
perfectly self-possessed. He pleaded not
guilty. The work Of choosing : Jury was
concluded 1t noon. The counsel for the
prosecution then made the opening adj
dress. setting forth the chain Of evidence
on which conviction will Be asked,
The dead body. Of . young man was
found February Il last in the TANGLED
growth of dark swamp on the edge OF
Mud lake. Oxford county. There were two
bullet holes in his head and his clothing
was covered with blood. 80 careful had
that would lead to the identity Of the MUIR
dered man that he cut OF al pieces Of
clothing that bore the victims name. By
one of those oversights that even the most
cold-bloOded and calculating villains some
times make, new cigar-case was left upon
the ground. the name upon which,. C.
Benwell'-led in the first place to the
identification of the body.
Benwell was young Englishmau, son of
Colonel Benwell, OF her majesty's army.
The young man came to Canada in the
steamer Britannia, sailing from Liverpool
February s.. His object in coming out was
to investigate project which had been
submitted by one ]. Reginald Bufchell, to
establish partnership in a stock farm
claimed to be the owner. Burchell had
sought TO get money from BenweiI and
his father. but without avail. the old gentle
man declaring that when his SON reported
to him from Canada that the business wss
satisfactory he would pay the money
agreed upon f500 sterling. With Benweil
sailed Burchell and his wife, Florence, and
young man named Pelly, who also had
made arrangements with Burchell to en-
gage in farm work in Canada.
The party, after . short stay at New
York, went on to Buffalo, thence almost
immediately to Niagara Falls, whence
Burchell and Benwell started. February
II, to investigate the alleged farm, and
they got off ar Eastwood station and
started to walk. Burchell was recognized
on the road. having been we'll known in
at Woodstock for time, where he made
himself known as Lord Somerset.
The crown will seek to establish that
Burchell's farm being q pure myth, the
man dreaded exposure. that he walked his
victim into the swamp on some pretext
and there deliberately shot and killed him.
So far as has yet been made public, they
0eSQ.
but they claim to be able to show that he
was seen with Benwell near and going in
the direction Of the swamp, and that he
was seen returning from il alone.
1t is true that when the discovery of the
body and the cigar-case was published
Burcheil promptly went to Princeton from
Buffalo and there identified the remains as
those of his friend, Frederick C. Benwell.
But the crown officers declare that this, in
stead of being presumptive proof of inno-
cence, only proves the superhuman nerve
of the man.
Burchell declares his innocence. and had
lawyers and detectives engaged to confute
and confound his adversaries What the
known to a certainty, but it is supposed
that thew will try to show that the body
bore evidences of violent struggle. while
Burchell did not when seen soon after and
they will try to convince the Jury that de-
tectives. having committed themselves to
the declaration that Burchell Was ruiIty.
are devoting their work in attacking his
life and not to the business of finding ont
the murderer.
In no Canadian murder trial for wears
has there been such an array OF legal talent
as will appear in this case.
A host of witnesses have been sum-
moned; among them Colonel Benwell, the
murdered mans father, who will come
from England to testify. Mrs. Burchell
has remained in Woodstock since her son
was placed in jail there, and has made him
visits as often as permitted. Public opinion
in no way connects her with the crime.
The prisoner bears his lot without conn
plaint and has amused himself during his
confinement by making pen-and-ink
sketches. with which his cell is adorned.