The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-21
BANxER BExHAM,s TRIAL.
ne ns Accused or rravinE Poisoned His vounE
win with Rruuuic Acid.


BATAVIA, N. Y, June 2O.-Howard G. Bonharn,
a young Batavia banker, will DO put on trial
hero on Monday on q charge of having poisoned
his wife,, Florence Tout Benham, with hydro
cyanio acid. Mrs. Bcnham died carly on the
morning Of Jan. 4 at her residence, SO Enicott
avenue, and It was announced that rheumatism
of the heart was the primary cause.
She was married to Benham on Aug. 4, 1892,
against the wishes Of hor parents. Tho couple
came to Batavia from Mrs. Bonham's former
home. In tho village Of Byron, on Sept. l, 1895.
and took up their residence on East Main street.
Later they moved to tho house in Ellicott ave-
nue., where, It is alleged, the wife was poisoned.
Benham and his wife did not agree. It is
charged that she objected TO his habits, and on
one occasion she was on tho point of leaving
him. She had $40. 900 in her own right When
she first came to Batavia, Holden I. Miller,
cashier OF the Bank of Batavia, was deposed as
her guardian, and her husbands father. Martin
G. Benham, wns substituted. Benham and his
father engaged in the private banking business
with money advanced from his wife's estate. 1t
is alleged. The prosecution alleges that the
trouble between husband and wife became so
serious that Mrs. Benham intended to leave her
husband when she became of ago and secured
possession of her money. Benham was believed
TO own little property himself.
When the wife's death was announced vari-
Gus rumors caused Coroner BarrinRer and Dis
trict Attorney lie Seur to make an investigation.
aat iSss ssst, follow tSs. S dea.b sh M.s p sys to atrs saSs
and degeneration Of the muscular heart tissues.
This seemed to settle the matter. and the body
was buried in the Byron Cemetery.
The remains had been inferred only q short
time when g, J. Elliott. 9 pharmacist IN the en-.
employer that on two occasions he had sold to
Benham prussic acid and had not registered the
days after The reading in the presence Of Ben.
ham and Others OF IN article In q Canadian paper
which told Of the murder OF a woman by means
read the account over and asked many questions
as to the action of the poison and how long Il
that Benham claimed that he wanted the poison
for a dog. Tho result OF this intelligence was
s sub nitiese to- bT. +. r fas Sa oDdsi anS or eitg cS Esre
list OF Buffalo. who reported that he had found
March for murder in the drst degree.
During the examination Mrs. Peter Farrant.
m 1hS des She g na. o m tSs g.n nam b dSms sns .T sssti,
awakened by the crying OF Howard Sidney Ben
to quiet him. As she passed Bcnham's room she
saw that Benham was dressed. This was about
health and spoke cheerfuiy to her. % She re.
turned to bed and went to sleep. Shortly after,
his vito disputing. He was attempting to make
his wife take something which sho strenuously
ter the discussion, Benham hurried to the
witness's room and said his wife was dy-
ing. She hurried to the room and found her
daughter lying on the bed in a cramped posi-
ton. Mrs. Benhan's head was thrown back.
her arms distended. and her. fingers cramped.
She was ~gasping, and almost Immediately died.
Benham In the mean time was striding about
the room swearing because the servants did not
come.
During his imprisonment Bcnham has in.
sisted upon bis innocence. Other troubles have
followed closely. Tho Benham baby has been
taken away from the old people, the guardian
ship of the estate has been placed In other hands.
and charges are made that the will Of the dead
wife was forged. The trial will be a battle of
arnerfa