The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-05-13

Inc WHEREABOUTS OF one j. +. BEN
ton, young man about 25 years Of
age, erstwhile manager Of circulation
for the Montgomery Advertiser in
this city is giving his employers and
others a great deal Of concern.
1t is understood from a reliable
source that Benton IS shy in his &C
counts with his paper to the extent OF
nearly 800. It is also understood that
he reported that he had PAID the
board and room rent Of two Of his so
llcitOrs for the past week. that Is the
week ending Saturday May 3, but both
of the solicitors deny this imputation.
1t is also stated that the carrier boy5
boys are shy their salary for the
week ending May 8. or at least were.
until made good by representatives
Of the Montgomery paper.
Missing Since Wednesday.
The last seen or heard of Benton
was last Wednesday morning about
O'Clock. when he informed the board.
ing mistress of one of his solicitors
to notify the solicitor to deliver the
papers to the carrier that morning as
he did not think that he would be at
the Office at the proper time TO do 50
himself
Benton, it is understood, told some
Of his friends Tuesday night that he
was going fishing From what can
be learned Benton borrowed OF rented
a skiff from a Mr.. Boomer Wednes-
Gay morning to go fishing. and since
then nothing has been heard Of him
nor has his body been found in the
bay.
In view Of developments concerning
the accounts of young Benton, little
fear is expressed concerning his safety
by his former associates. They seem
to be of the opinion that the circula-
ton manager has, to use a slang eX-
preston 'blOwed" the town and lett
for parts unknown.
Wife Left Monday.
It is stated That Benton sent his
wife out of the city Monday night, and
her destination Is presumably Mil
waukee from what has been said.
Benton and his wife resided on East D.
that he sold all Of his household goods
before his wife left. or Immediately
after. her departure. That is the
goods were removed from the house,
and it is presumed by those familiar
with conditions that the goods were
disposed of by the young man.
Others Stuck.
The Montgomery Advertiser is not
the only paper to suffer financially by
the sudden absence Of Benton. In con.
nectiOn with managing the circulation
of the Advertiser il is stated that
Benton represented an Atlanta paper
and his bOndsmen had to make good
some shortage
Appeared as Model.
Benton, previous to his present
trouble was considered a model young
man by his friends and the cOmmun.
Ity in general. In appearances ant
disposition he was rather feminine
and as far as known neither drank
rOr gambled. He appeared TO be all
that leads TO a successful business
career.
Benton was seen Tuesday night
about IL o'clock by Mr.. Neal one OF
the Advertiser solicitors. 7 thought
it strange to see Benton out 80 late
at night" said Mr. Neal. Il knew that
he usually was at home early each
evening. I chided him about his late
hours. We walked on Government
street a few hundred feet, when sud
denly he stopped and stated that he
must return and tell the boys some
thing about where to find the boat
thought nothing more about the mat
ter. until his nOn-appearance and the
recent developments concerning him"
Checking Up Accounts.
Manager Mobiles of the circulation
department Of the Montgomery Adver-
tiser arrived yesterday and Is buslly
engaged in checking up the accounts
Of Benton.
Benton may have been drowned.
but little belief is expressed concern
ing such a fate being meted out 70 the
Young man. II is believed by his
former business associates that he -
safe and we'll though they state thar
il is possible, that he Is filing
Watery grave.