The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-09

the Episcopal Church in Warrcnton. our
earliest and best friend out of cur line
age. He was minister of mission
church in Halifax. On one of his vista
tons to the Halifax church, he met with
eX-Governor John Branch, who related
to him some circumstances connected
with the above incident in Benton's life.
which Mr.. Saunders, who was an aeon
rate and truthful man, repeated to us.
Governor Branch told Mr. Saunders
that he was a student at the University
with Mr. Benton, and that w. r. King.
Vice President of the United States
with President Pierce. was also at the
University ut the same time, and n
roommate of Benton King missed
money from his trunk. suspected Benton
ana determined to watch him and de-
tect him if possible Benton set up
working at his studies until late in the
night. Old Brady said that Mr.. Ben
tons light was always last to be nut
out at night, in one of the front rooms
of the old South Building" Kings
habit was to retire early. He pnrposelv
left his trunk unlocked. with money in
it and with bills having n private mark.
King lay awake, feigning sleep Late
i'll the night Benton retired from his
books, hut before retiring he looked in
Kings bed and he was apparently
sleeping soundly. Benton then went to
Kings trunk, stealthily abstracted some
money and then, after carefully folding
the bills in his ,cravat, went to bed. The
next morning, King told all of the cir
cumstances to Branch, and keeping
watch on Benton, they proposed to him
TO take walk up Hillsboro road. 1t
was agreed and after breakfast the
three started and when about two miles
up the road, King turned to Benton and
charged him with the theft.
Benton Immediately charged fight.
King repeated the charge. telling
him that in fight he thought
he and Branch could handle him, and
then, turning to him abruptly, said
Pull off your cravat and it will show.
Benton gave way. confessed his guilt.
took off his cravat, gave up the money
and kept on to his home near Hillsboro.
King and Branch returned to the Hill.
Benton never returned to the University.
In 1926, we think it was, after he had
ter his future greatness was assured.
Charles b. Shepard. of Newbern.
student of the University and a member
of the Philanthropic Society, introduced
resolutions in the Society, restoring Mr..
Benton to membership which were adopt
ed, and Mr.. Benton duly notified of it.
A statement has had currency in late
years, which we think must be inaccu.
rate, that Mr.. Benton returned con.
temptuous reply.
We think that statement is inaccurate
for this reason: In 1884. we were on a
committee of the Philanthropic Society
to solicit from the old members of the
society, and in the building of new
hall for the society. We addressed a
letter to- Mr.. Benton in pursuance of our
appointment. The reply to our note was
prompt, courteous and kind and concluded
with fraternal regards to his brethren,
and it enclosed twenty dollars to aid in
our work. We think he would not have
written such a letter if his feelings to
the society had, at any time been un-
kind and hostile.
We once searched the records to see
the manner of hoy Benton was while
at the University, and could find but one
place in which his name was mentioned.
He once introduced subject for debate,
and. as if foreshadowing his future work
on the field of public life it was ques-
ton relating to the rights of the State
and general governments, under the Con-
stitution, subject with which Mr.. Ben
tons public life was identified, and in