The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-16

JEhSON
PASSES AWAY
End of Soldier, States
man Scholar.
EOF lOVtAND CHARITY
neral Services at Christ Church This A,er'
nooL--- Interment at His Old Home in
Pittsbor. Universal Sympathy
EXPRESSED.


The great number of friends. comrades
in the Confederate army, and former pu-
pills of Captain Claud b. benson will be
sorry to learn of his death, which oc-
Cured yesterday morning. He has been
in feeble health for some time and his
death was not unexpected
Captain benson was born at Suffolk
Va, September 10Th, 1897. He entered
the Collegiate and Military Institute at
Portsmouth in 1853. At this school h
became commandant of the corps OF
cadets and afterwards was associate
with the faculty of the school. 1t viii.
be interesting to know that Captain
benson, with DIR. Thos. Hume, Jr., de-
livered his first public address to tho
Sundays schools of Norfolk and Ports
mouth when at this school.
In 1858 he founded the first military
school in North Carolina at Franklin,
Duplin county This schol was known
as the Franklin Military Institute. AS
sociated with him in this school was
Prof. r.. w Willard.
On April 10th, 1861, he was elected
almost entirely of his former pupils
This company was the famous "Confed-
crate Grays,' Which made such an en-
viable record fer itself during the war.
He with his company We're ordered tc
Fort Johnson, below Wilmington. Here
Captain Denson's marked proficiency il
military tactics SO asserted itself that he
was called upon to conduct the military
training of the soldiers. He drilled the
officers as Well as the men, many OF
whom We're his superior in rank. He
was transferred to the Engineer Corps
because of his great mathematical and
engineering ability. His career in the
army is an enViable enc.
Captain benson has never surrendered
t othe Union flag. Just before the end
Of the war came he, with his corps, were
ordered to some point in South Carolina
TO await further orders. These orders
never came.
Immediately after the close OF the war
he opened the Pittsboro Scientific Acad
envy at the county seat of Chatham coun-
~. Many of Chathams most valued citi-
zens were taught by Captain benson.
He came to Raleigh sixteen years ago.
For ten years he was co-principal tC
Prof. Hugh Morson, of Raleigh Male
Academy During this time a large num-
Der of Raleigh boys, who have since be-
came prominent in all the walks of life
received instruction at the hands o.
Captain benson.
Since the administration of Governor
Fowle Captain benson has been secre-
tary of the State Board of Charities.
During this time his greatest interest
has centered in this work. He has made
it the work of his life to have a reforma-
tory for young criminals established ir
North Carolina. He has prepared bills
to this effect, appeared before the vari-
Gus legislative committees and urged
with great ordor the passage of this
law. 1t is gratifying to know that onl!
the day before he died another bill to
this effect was introduced by Wakes
able Senator, Herbert T.. Norris, and
bill of this nature stands a good chance
10 become law
Captain benson was noted as an elo-
quent speaker. His natural powers OF
oratory were developed to the highest
degree He made many addresses on
public occasions-all full of information
and rendered in his own eloquent style.
N. Cowan, of Wilmington, on the 4th
of January 1865. OF this union there arc
new living 10 mourn their loss the fol-
lowing children: Mr.. Thomas G. benson,
Mrs Lee a. benson, Miss Katheri N
w. benson Mr.. Eugene G. benson. mss
Mary A. benson and Mr.. Claud 3. Den
son. He also is survived by two brothers
and three sisters.
In Captain benson North Carolina has
lost one of its most valued citizens, ar
able educator. one who has always had
at heart the promotion of industrial and
educational interests of his adopted State,
a cultured gentleman Of the old chival-
rous type, a Confederate soldier with al
enviable record.
The funeral services will be held this
Afternoon at two o'clock from Christ
church DR.. NJ. NJ. Marshall will con-
duct the services The remains will be
taken on a special train to Pittsboro foi
interment The services in Pittsboro
will be held at four o'clock. Dr. Bland
will assist Dr. Marshall in the services
there
The following distinguished NORTH
Carolinians will act as honorary pail
bearers: General j. S. Carr, Col. j. :.
Cunningham, Mr.. H. w Jackson. Dr.
Hubert Haywood Mr.. j. G. Brown, Dr
y. i. Dixon, Mr.. r. w. Dobbtn, Ny.
j. T.. Pogue, Mr.. A. B. Stronach, Mr..
A. A. Thompson. Mr.. B. G. Cowper, Mr.
r. H. Battle, Mr.. S. G. Ryan, Mr.. w.
n. Jones.
The L. OBJ. Branch Camp U. C. V. viii
attend TIE funeral in body to thus give
ovid Of oh hey