The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-19
DEATH OF BEN THORNTON
HE HAD BEEN ON THE DETECTIVE
FORCE FOR MANY YEARS,
And Was One OF the Best Known
CoIored Officers In the coun-
try-Hfs Career.

BENJAMIN Tobias Thornton. one OF the
best known and most able colored detec-
tives of Indiana and one OF the well known
colored detectives Of the United States. died
about 1880 o'clock last night OF acute
pneumonia at his home. 525 Bright street
His death was unexpected, although he had
been a sufferer from asthma for twenty
years and was seized with an attack OF
acute pneumonia ten days ago. DIR. Petit
john treated him during all the years he
was afflicted with asthma. and noted ply
sicians in different parts OF the country
were consulted.
About five weeks ago Thornton was
taken with an unusually severe attack OF
his old trouble. but his local physician sue
ceeded in giving him relief Ten days ago.
however. the asthmatic trouble ran into
acute pneumonia and Inflammation of the
left lung set in. which proved fatal last
night.
He had been a member OF the Indianapo-
lis police force for about twenty-five years.
and was one of its most successful officers.
having many arrests OF noted criminals to
his record.
BORN A SLAVE.
He was born slave in Winchester coun-
ty, Virginia, Dec. Is. 1919. His master was
a man named Krebs. from whom he ran
away when he was about eight years Of
age in order TO escape a severe whipping
for an assault upon workman who had
provoked him. He was picked up by a
member OF Colonel Oran Perrys regiment.
which was then in that part OF the coun-
try, and kept with 1t until the muster out
at Washington. He-left Washington short
" afterward and came 10 Indiana. stopping
at Richmond. where he lived with family
named Jewel He stayed with them about
a year and then came TO indianapolis.
where he entered the cooper shop OF Jason
Carey an apprentice. He went from
here to Kansas City, and there worked In
a cooper shop for about two years, return
ing to Indianapolis, where he was married
Oct. 10, 1871, 10 Essie M. Moore, whom he
had met at Kansas City.
A short time after his return TO Indian
apolis he was appointed TO place on the
police force and after serving few months
as a patrolman was made turnkey
g. 1856, and had served as a member or
that department until mis- death.
He was charter member OF the Lincoin
Union Lodge, No. 14S6. OF Odd Fellows, and
for q number of years was secretary OF
that lodge. He was at the time of his
death and for four years previous grand
director Of the biennial movable commit
tee of that order, having been elected at
st. Louis two years ago for a second term
He was also a charter member of the
Knights OF Pythias Lodge. Pride of the
West, No. 2. He was also a member OF the
Bethel NJ. K. Church
ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS.
One of the chief characteristics Of Detec-
tive Thornton was his business methods,
by which he had accumulated a consider
able amount OF property. He was earnest
and methodical and IL was these traits. to-
gether with his stddy Of human nature.
that made him so successful as detective
While slave he received no education and
after coming North realized at once the
benefits to be derived from study. II was
while studying at Kansas City that he met
his wife, and upon his return TO this city
he continued his studies while keeping
books and running sprinkling route be-
fore his appointment the police force
He was one of the few men ever connected
with the local force who was able TO gain
much valuable information regarding
criminals from the colored population. He
cultivated the acquaintance of all classes
for the accomplishment of his object and
would associate with them in their resorts.
apparently only as one or them. but IN
reality for the purpose OF learning of GRIM
inals. He was possessed OF such fund or
information that there was scarcely
thief. crook murderer who was not
known TO him and he always had their
records at his tongues end. This knowl-
edge assisted him greatly in his work and
he was the confident Of many criminals
who gave him information concerning
those for whom he was hunting In some
of the more important cases IL was COM
mon to hear II said IF he's here Thornton
will find him."
cases in the history OF Indianapolis and
with much success He was instrumental in
causing the arrest and conviction or Philip
Coup and wife for the theft OF Mrs. John
hue 14orx uo1 al q al
thousand dollars. The recovery OF the
Adams diamonds, valued at 5000. was also
on account of his work The capture OF
the Southgates, the bank robbers. also be-
longed to his credit. In the capture OF
Edward Ruthven. who was just returned
TO Cleveland for the murder Of John Ship,
Thornton played a considerable part and
complained bitterly when an attack of his
old trouble prevented him from accompa-
nying Captain Kinney and the other detec-
tives at the time Ruthven was arrested
He had watched the place for two nights.
and was on his way home when he met the
officers going TO the house
MANY NARROW ESCAPES.
He had many marrow escapes and on the
night that Garfield was shot he was stab
bed al North street and Senate avenue by a
colored man whom he had arrested He
was never but once reprimanded for mis-
conduct and that was for his work In con-
nection with the Eyster murder several
years ago. For this murder two colored
men. Parker and McAfee, were sentenced
for life. Thornton did much work on the
case and maintained that both OF the con-
victed men were innocent Parker died IN
prison and McAfee was pardoned last year
and died a short time after his return to
this city.
He was well liked by nearly every mem-
Der of the police force and for many years
worked with Captain Kinney When Kin
ney was made captain OF detectives, Thorn
ton and Splan became working companions
and they were instrumental in bringing to
justice many criminals with records.
He leaves a widow and one child. twelve
years of age. No arrangements had been
made for the funeral last night.