The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-28
INFANT SLAUGHTER PEN.
Mrs. Benson is up Before Chicago An
thorities for Atrocious Grimes.

Chicago. Nov. 2T.-If AIRS. Grace Don
ohue and other reputable women speak
the truth Mrs Matilda l.. G. Benson is
a professional baby killer. Mrs. Dono-
hue ANA Edith Morgan tell of at least
three atrocities upon children, which
they say they have witnessed within
the past few week They make her out
to be a rival Of Mrs, Dyer who recently
paid the penalty of her deeds upon the
galows in London.
Mrs Rcnsons establishment, at 111-113
Hon0re street is declared 10 be a yerti-
able slaughter-housc for children, Mrs.
Donohue says that three weeks ago Mrs.
Benson forced Edith Morgan TO throw
a living child into the flames of fur
mace and see it perish in agony. Two
days later both women say, they saw
Mrs. Benson drown two more helpless
infants in the bath tub regardless OF
their pitiful cries which could be- heard
throughout the house. 1t was neglect OF
her child on the part of Mrs. Benson,
says Mrs, Donohue which caused the
little one TO die three weeks after it was
born in the establishment kept by Mrs.
Benson and Samuel Gates, who, Mrs
Benson says, is her husband.
Mrs nonohue says Mrs. Benson treated
her cruelty Immediately after the birth
of the child apd that she is now "a victim
81 quick consumption Other cases have
boon brought to the attention Of the
police Both Mrs. BENSON and Gates
were arrested and both prisoners were
put through q rigid "sweatbox' eNami-
nation. The pair admit that many chill
aren have been born in the house, but
deny that amy have been killed, They
declare il is all spite work on the part
OF Mrs, noBohue and Miss Alma Akcr-
son.
Mrs. Donohue is from Houghton, Mich,
where her husband is hotel man. She
came to Chicago lasr July. Noticing
the sign Of nr. Benson, Ladies' Physi-
elan, on the house on Honore street,
she went i'm and at this place her baby
was born.
TT is fearful place, she said. Il
shudder even to think of it, Three
weeks ago Edith Morgan came here from
Iowa TO remain ut the house Mrs.
Benson made her come down into the
basement There she placed Il living
child in Edith's arms ani opened the
furnace door. There was roaring
FIRE inside. She commanded Edith Nor
gan to throw the child into the furnace.
Edith refused. Then this horrible woman
took hold of her and forced her to throw
that Loor little thing into that fire The
baby 81 ed when il was thropH III, but
the woman shut the furnace door, She
did not seem to care. Two days after
ward DR. Benson herself drowned two
babies Edith Morgan saw her take
them and put them III the bath tub. The
babies were alive. / heard them scream
and cry. Dr. Benson turned the water
on and held the two children under it
until they died. Then she took them
out and threw them into Il pail.
Edith Morgan is now patient at the
County Hospital She was told what
AIRS Donohue had said.
That's all true. she said. II did see
all those things. Mrs. Donohue is speak
ing the truth and so am /.
Information OF the alleged infant
slaughter pen came to the authorities
through the story OF a woman who said
Mrs. Benson had asked her 10 60 into
partnership In the business