Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-20
A REMARKABLE CAREER.
II. d. Markham, Native yermonter, Re
formed Gambler, Presbyterian Trustee
and Millionaire.

Benjamin d. Markham, Millionaire
and phianthropist who died recently in
Nineland from injuries received by "A fall,
had led most dramatic and remarkable
life. He figured prominently in the West
during the exciting times incident to the
gold fever of the early sixties. and his
reckless but successful plunges at faro
brought him great notoriety as 81 gambler
Though in later years he went to Vine
land to seek a retired, respectable life, he
made no secret of his early vocation, and
enjoyed telling of his former career. He
never Wanted his wealth, and his wide
spread charity was barely known beyond
his fellow church workers and intimate
friends. He became a trustee in the First
Presbyterian church and was for several
years president of the Niueland National
bank. Mr. Markham was one of the found
ers and directors of the New Jersey Train
ing School for Feeble Minded Children, at
Nineland 10 which institution, it is said,
la handsome legacy has been provided for
in his WILL soon to be probated
Bern in Woodstock, Vt, in 1891. Markham
when a small boy ran away to sea- He
deserted the ship upon landing in Brazil
and worked his way back home. After
learning photography he went West to
seek his fortune, He established min
ers' supply house in Virginia City. handled
gold dust for miners, conducted bank
ing business and ran faro bank. The
Markham faro bank became famous, and
miners came from all parts of Montana 10
gamble.
Il handled millions of iolars' worth Of
Il gold then" said Markham when relating
his experiences, land frequently won or
lost $4,000 1T a nights sitting. One even
ing ! noticed that my Watchdog put his
head to the brick flooring of my establish
ment and growled. He did so again, and
on tho third night ] grew suspicious and
put my ear to the spot. Click, click,
click were the sounds that reached me-
Robbers tunnelling for my bank. thought
l Then ] figured upon a scheme to fix
them. My place was located upon hill
sloping toward river, about 200 yards dis
tant Tha next day | walked along the
river bank and discovered the opening to
the tunnel. Early that evening ] drew a
Straight line from my house to the tunnel
entrance, and about midway between
bored several holes about ten feet deep
These filled with powder. At about mid.
might, when the sounds of digging were
again heard beneath my house, touched
of the fuse and a tremendous explosion
| followed. | never heard that clicking
noise again. Those robbers who would un.
doubtedy have murdered me, had dug q
tunnel which turned out to be their grave
A couple OF men were missed from til,
town, but nobody in Montana ever knew
their fate except myself"
Markham conducted freight and stage
line between Virginia City and Cheyenne
In 1852 he broke every faro bank in 'Fris
co and then established saro banks of hi!
cwn, His heavy winnings gained hin
great notoriety. Fourteen years ago hi!
wealth was estimated by himself to b'
about 1000. 900, Capitalists in Vineland lie
lieVe that his fortune which consist!
mostly of municipal bonds, cannot b'
much less than 5000, 900 now.