Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-20
DONAHUE SUSPECTS BENSON
Chief Thinks Several Circumstances Point
to Rummelbart Murder.
WORKED IN VICINITY AND KNEW II
Man Arrested at Lincoln IL Taken
to Scene of Revolving Murdes
and Given severe Test
by Police.

Friday morning George Benson, the man
brought from Lincoln as suspect of the
Rummelhart murder was photographed
for the criminal gallery and his Bertlllon
measurements taken for future reference
His clothing was subjected to a most care
full examination, the traces of blood thereon
being given minute attention. While it is
believed the blood on his clothing and hat
may have collected from the Use OF
hypodermic needle. as the prisoner states
the matter will be given the fullest investi-
cation.
Detectives Mitchell and Shepard took
Benson TO the scene of the Rummelhart
murder Friday.
When taken to the scene OF the murder
Benson denied ever having been in the
vicinity before. The party stopped at the
northeast corner of Twenty-sixth ana
Dodge streets, where Miss Rummelhart was
FIRST struck down by her assassin, but Ben
son evinced no signs of nervousness there
nor when taken to the rear yard OF the
Lowe residence, 2S63 Dodge street where
the body OF the woman was found.
A thorough canvass Of the residences in
the vicinity was made, which resulted in
Bensons identification by Mrs. Brosh. 2213
Dodge street and Mrs. Frank ]. Burnley,
2312 Webster street. Mrs Brosh said Ben
son had cleaned some carpets for her Octo-
Der l. and had been at her house twice
during that day. which was the day of his
release from the county jail on a charge
of vagrancy. Mrs, Burnley said Benson
had worked for her some time last August.
These were the only persons who had ever
seen Benson in the neiShborhood.
Again I'm Afternoon.
Benson was taken out again Friday
afternoon by the detectives and the search
for persons who can identify him con-
tnued. The police are unable to reconcile
his story regarding the time consumed in
his trip from this city 10 Lincoln. as he is
unable to account for his movements for a
period Of more than week shortly after
| the murder. Moreover il is not believed
/ that his explanation of the presence Of
| blood stains on his clothing by the use OF
! a hypodermic needle is consistent, as IL is a
well known fact that a few drops of blood
at most could be caused In this manner
while Benson's clothes were saturated with
blood in several places
| The police discovered a bloody shirt in
the search but attached little Importance
to IT,
Friday morning Chief Donahue said:
While I would not care to assert al
present that Benson is guilty OF the muir,
der believe the matter is well worth in
vestigation. Photographs OF the suspect
will be sent TO the police authorities Al
Cincinnati. where he served time In tho
workhouse. Benson admits having beer
sentenced 10 terms in warehouses OF diff
ferent cities from coast 10 coast He rar
away from home when only Is years OF age
and has been constantly in and out o.
prison for thieving, He told me he haC
never even heard of the murder of Mis-
Rummelhart. although he always readi
the newspapers.
story Hard 40 Reconcile.
when asked regarding his actions whili
Omaha. and particularly about the tint