Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-09-16
DR.. BENHAM SUICIDES.
Ends His Life by Taking Poison Dies
in Great Agony,
WIFE REFUSES TO SEE HIM.

Inc CITIZEN received this morning a
copy of the News, published at Bickle-
ton, Klickitat county, Washington, CIV
ing an account of the death by suicide
of DR.. r. b. Benham. well known in
this city and lately of the Cochiti min
ing district at Bland. The Citizen will
not rehash the details leading up to
and following the escapade of the doc
tor from Bland with the wife of a well
known citizen of that town, but here
reproduce the facts of his recent sui
eide by poison in Washington:
The little city of Cleveland was
startled last Sunday by the intelli-
gence that DIR. r. B. Denham had taken
poison with suicidal intent. He was
seen about o'clock that morning by
some of the neighbo2s. who said that
he walked from his residence to the
corner of W.. G.. Failifaer's store and
that he stood there short time and
then turned and went back home. He
was next seen when Mr.. Long went to
call him to his dinner and was seen
sitting or lying on the floor trying to
tear his clothing from his body. The
alarm was then given and everything
done that was possible to save him,
but without avail. DR.. Brockman was
summoned and arrived there but a few
minutes before his death.
DR.. Benham told Mrs. Long not to
call him Sunday morning as he was
liable to sleep late and would get up
and make a cup of coffee for himself
and that would do him till dinner. Par
ties were sent from Cleveland to Nab
ton to summon Mrs. Benham. his wife.
who was supposed to be in Seattle, but
whose address the doctor gave wrong,
whether Intentionally or otherwise will
never be known and it was not discov-
cred until letter was found from her
giving the correct number of address.
There are a great many different
stories afloat as regards the cause of
the rash act but the News does not feel
justified in stating them. as an injus-
tice might possibly be done innocent
parties.
Mrs. Benham left Seattle on the day
of the suicide for Walla Walla and
passed through Walla Walla while par
ties were telegraphing for her, but un-
known to them. She went to Walla
Walla and remained there for short
time and came to Arlington and was
there informed of the doctors death.
1t was supposed she would return at
once to Cleveland, but the stage driver
informed us that she positively refus-
ed to come and requested to have a
coffin sent from Goldendale and have
the body prepared for burial and she
would have it sent to Walla Walla, but
being informed that it would be impos-
sible to keep the body until a casket
came from Goldendale she concluded
TO have one sent from Arlington and
have the body brought there and ship
ped to Walla Wala.
The death of the doctor, owing TO mis-
standing in the community, was one
that could hardly be realized. He was
a retired physician and surgeon of the
United States army and it is said that
ne drew quite a pension from the gov
~ lllltIl.
Since writing the above we have
been informed that Mrs. Benham has
sent word to Mrs Withrow to have
everything attended to and she would
pay for the same.
The citizens of Cleveland have eX-
pended considerable money and driven
many miles 10 find her, and now when
she is in twenty-five miles Of home she
refuses to come and do her duty in the
matter. il causes a wave of just indig-
nation to sweep over the people of
Cleveland, and they were not slow IN
informing her by letter 10 that effect.
To say the least her action in the mat
ter is a little peculiar
An undertaken came in from Walla
Walla on Wednesday and embalmed
the body and took it TO that city for in
terment.