The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-02
A TRIPLE TRAGEDY.
Mrs. Bennett Kills Her Two CbfIdreu
and Herself.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
JEFFERSONVILLE. Ind, July 1.-At II
O'Clock to-day one OF the most horrible
tragedies ever enacted in this city was dis
covered. Mrs. John Ganot, a sister OF Mrs
Nancy Bennett, went 10 her residence on
East Maple street at that hour, and finding
the doors locked. looked through the win
dow. where a terrible sight met her gaze.
Lying the bed in the middle of the
room were the dead bodies OF Lottie May
Bennett. aged twelve years. and Omer Ben
nett. aged six. children OF Mrs. Bennett.
Near them was the almost lifeless remains
OF their mother. Summoning William sam
uelss young medical student who resides
near, Mrs. Ganot. with his assistance took
the screen from the window. raised IL
and entered the room. Sticking on
the cistern top was a note. which Mrs.
Ganot found while passing around the
house. and this had prepared her for the
worst. Samues found the little girl lying
close TO the wall. and beside her the life-
less form Of her brother, which was so
badly swollen and discolored as TO be al
most unrecognizable. Both children wore
night lresses. The bodies We're badly de-
composed, and the boy had been dead at
least two days.
The mother lay on her back and only a
pulsation at intervals indicated that she
was yet alive. From way the clothing
had been laid on the chair near IL would
appear that the family had simply retired
for the night. That the deeds were delib-
erately committed by the mother is shown
by the fact that she first administered
poison TO her son, then TO her daughter
and seeing that the drug had done It's work
swallowed a dose herself.
Coroner Coots was summoned and his
decision i'm regard to the cause OF the
deaths was given above. Drs. Williams
and Hancock were sent for as soon as the
dis, very was made and worked for several
nc 3 to save the life of the unhappy woin-
an without avail. She died at o'clock.
letters were found on the table.
they had been laid by Mrs. Bennett.
I hote found by Mrs Ganot on the cistern
read as follows:
we are no more Please tell Alice Peck,
my half-sister, to take full charge of the
house. Don't let any one open the door
until she comes. Then notify Coroner
Coots" One letter stated that the writer
was married to Benson Bennett Dec y.
1881, by the Rev q. r. Faskett. IL gave
the date OF her husbands birth as
Aug. u. 1861. and the date OF his death
March 90. is6O died -: Lottie May Ben
nett was born Dec. -. 1882. died -; Omer
Joshua Bennett, born April ,. lsss; died
- This memorandum was evidently left
for the Rev. G.. r.. Foskett. whom Mrs.
Bennett desired 10 conduct the funeral
Another letter was left. addressed 10
Coots a. Wiley. undertakers, inclosing a
check, and instructng them 10 give herself
and children decent but ordinary burial,
and another inclosed check for "A Mr..
Brown. OF New Albany. instructng him 10
erect tombstones at the head OF the graves
Of herself and children. a letter was also
left for the bank officials, requesting them
to honor the checks.
Another letter left was 10 a relative. Mrs.
A. V. Bottorff. in which she gave directions
as TO what should he done with all OF her
property: another TO her half-sister. Alice
Peck. and the following letter TO her moth
er. which explains all and states that her
children had spoken about the matter. ana
that they were perfectly willing 10 die. IL
"Dear Mother-My last words 10 you.
We are now ready TO take our last earthly
sleep and awake with loved ones i'm
heaven. Mother. don't think hard Of us
when we are gone; just console yourself by
thinking how sad we were here alone. but
how happy must be now together. AS
the moments draw nearer and nearer, /
ina gine / him waiting for US TO come.
he was more than life TO me. I am not
afraid 10 die. mother; know We Will meet
our loved one; then all will be well. have
talked to Lottie and Omar on the subject.
They prefer being with US instead OF be-
ing here in others care. Benson always
said all things happened Tor the best. 20
I think best our little family all be to-
gether side by side. Mother. I would like
10 stay here with you. but this worlds trou-
hles are more than / can endure any longer
without nv darling with me. For he was
my all: where his spirit is ours Will 80.
and where his grave Is mine shall be. Fare
well dear mother until we meet beyond
the river, where trials and troubles never
come. DAi iGHlEh NAN>if r.
The other letters were evidently carefully
written and the way in which everything
was arranged for showed that she hac de-
liberately planned the crimes.
Mrs Rennett received 81 800 insurance on
the life OF her husband. Benson BENNETT.
who committed suicide at the Occidental
Hotel Indianapolis. sept II, 1875 he MAS
treasurer of the Engineers Mutual Benefit
Association. short in has ACCOUNTS.
went 10 indianapolis. and. being unable 10
secure employment. took his own lie Forty
years ago Mrs. Bennetts father killed his
mother and. sixteen years later was him-
self killed by an illegitmate son, who rxe
wears later murdered his wife and child
and then took his own life-