Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-10-30
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llopyriehted. 1900. by the J. B. Lippineott Col
CHAPTER XVI :

a whole battalion in the regulars
and dozens of gallant boys in the
ldahos and North Dakotas knew Billy
benton and had been full of sY1npa-
thy when he was picked up one night
some three weeks previous, his head
laid open by a powerful blow from
some blunt instrument, bleeding and
senseless. Even when released from
hospital a fortnight later he was
dazed and queer, was twice reported
out of quarters over night and alb
sent from roll call, but was forgiven
because of previous character" and
the belief that he was really not re-
sponsible for these soldier solecisms.
One thing seemed to worry him,
ana that was, as he admitted. that
ne had been robbed of some papers
That he valued. But he soon seemed
all right again." said his fellows, at
least TO the extent of resuming duty,
ana when, clean shaved and in his
pest attire, he marched on guard that
glad october morning they were bet
ting on him for the first chevrons
and speedy commission.
All that his few intimates, the one
or two who claimed to know him.
could be induced to admit was that
his real name was not Benton. and
that he had enlisted utterly against
the wishes of his kindred. And so.
regulars and volunteers alike, they
thronged the open patio and all ap-
proaches thereto, and no officer
would now suggest that that court be
cleared. It was best that "Think-
ing Bayonets" should be there to
hear and see for himself.
NO, indeed, don't do anything of
the kind!" said the general, prompt
~, when asked half hesitatingly by
the captain of the guard whether he
preferred to exclude the men. And
in this unusual presence the brief,
straightforward examination went on.
First to tell his tale was the cor
poral of the second relief. He had
posted his men between $3.50 and S:45,
Private Benton on No. at the cor
ner of the Gale Real and Parle
Faura. That post had been chosen
for him as being not very far away
from that of the guard, as the young
Teller" had not entirely recovered
his strength, and the officer of the
day had expressed some regret at his
having so soon attempted 10 resume
duty, but Benton had laughingly said
that he was "all right" and he didn't
mean to have other men doing sentry
go for him.
poral, Il went round warning all as
directed by the officer of the guard.
The officer of the guard himself went
round about that time personally
cautioning the sentries. There was
good deal of fun and excitement lust
then down the street. No. in the
Gale Nueve had shot twice at some
fleeing natives who nearly upset him
as they dashed round the corner
from the Ragumbayan, and he had
later mistaken Col. Brent in his white
suit for a Filipino and nervously
fired. Nos. Z and in the side
streets mistook the shooting for fire
alarm, and Private Benton repeated.
in accordance with his orders, but
when I (the corporaD saw him was
laughing to kill himself over the Ma
Mia fire department"
Benton didn't seem much impressed
at first about the thief and the de-
serter, but towards 9:45, when the
corporal again visited his post and
the streets were getting quiet. Ben
ton said there were some natives in
the second house across the way
whose movements puzzled him. They
kept coming to the front door and
windows and peeping out at him. \
patrol came along just then, search
ing alleyways and yards, and they
looked about the premises, while he
Corporal Scott started west on the
Faura to warn No. i, who was over
towards the beach, and while there
Maj. MacNeil. the field officer of the
day, came along, and after making
inquiries as to what No. had seen
and heard and asking him his orders,
he turned back to the Faura, Cor
poral Scott following.
One block west of the Gale Real
the major stopped as though to lis
ten to some sound he seemed to have
heard in the dark street running par
allel with the Real, and then stepped
into it as though to examine, so Scott
followed, and almost instantly they
heard a muffled report like a pistol
inside blanket and fastening
round into the Faura they found Ben
ton lying on his face in the middle of
the street, just at the corner of the
Gale Real, stone dead. His rifle they
found in the gutter not 20 feet from
him.
Scott ran at once to the guard
house, three blocks away, and gave
the alarm Then the patrol said that
a tall officer, running full speed, had
passed them, and here the provost
marshal interposed with:
"Never mind what the patrol said.
next. 'f:st -~. u
Scott continued that he and others,
with the lieutenant, officer of the
guard, ran back to No. 6's post, and
there stood the major with the pistol.
.'When we asked should we search
the yards and alleys the major
nodded, but the moment he heard the
men telling about the running officer
he gave the lieutenant orders.'"'
And again the provost marshal
said: .Never mind" the major would
describe all that.
? And the major did. He corrobora-
ted what Corporal Scott had said,
and then went on with what ham
pened after Scott was sent to alarm
the guard. Barring some opening Of
shutters and peering out on the part