The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-15
BENTON GIVES UP
NAME OF CLARKE
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JttittE VI OkIilihI
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and intoxicated by his wondeF:::::! ac-
pllshments, he plunged Into the
gay life offered by those seeking di
version or pleasure III New York.
Pleasure took his thoughts from bust
ness ad physical weakness resulting
from dissipation caused mental dis
tress and dependency. He sold his
business Then his family took charge
Of his affairs and after a exanina~
ton by alienists, he was placed in Il
sanitarium.
Becomes Wealthy
Benton had accumulated fortune
and this was placed In the charge of
the Franklin Trust Company by order
OF court After sojourning ia the
sanitarium Benton regained his lost
health and his thoughts roamed again
To the outside world. Sut he did not
wish TO face the courts again In or
der to recover control of his fortune
and the thought OF going through life
with the knowledge that his friends
knew OF his incarcera ton WAS repug-
naRt
one day Benton quietly left the san
tarium. fIe had FIVE cents in his
.,ocket But there was hope and up
tiInism in HIS heart. and again he
faced the world with smile of CON
fldence, His first act was to pawn u
silver watch 10 increase his pittanee
Of cash. Then he procured lodgings
on the BoWery and lived there a long
time But in New York Benton Was
afraid pf being recognized hy old
friends or business associates and no
departed for Philadelphia
From the Quaker City he went to
Baltimore. and from the Monument
tai CITY he came to Richmond. It was
five Years ago that he entered this
city. penniloss and unknown. lie
gave his name as Benton, made
friends and talked little One aay
he saw an article in a neWspa per mar
rating the finding OF man $ body ia
The Narrows, and he knew that ny
his friends ana relatives this body
vas believed to he mat OF the one
time Ralph Clarke, ped inmate
q Tine KNOTS
Content to be numbered among the
dead. Benton retained his assumed
name and decided to remain in Rich
pond. He obtained employment III
the local branch of the American f-o-
connective Works and operated a lathe.
Then he became q salesman for the
Columbia Shoe Company at salary
IL rs n week Benton worked hard,
saved money, forsook the pursuit or
Measure. continued to make rrienaa
asld stiii talked littie OK htsnse'r
lie accumulated small bank ar-
( count and In January of 1910 organ
ICED the Chemical supply Company.
His capital was only $3.50, but tins
WAS soon increased 10 a maximum
capitalization OF 5000. Success
again smiled upon him. and his eff
forts were rewarded The business
grew 9fet W. 3 ,as.&-t .tsssn .sa.s ssss
/ tablished concern, recognized by rho
mercantile scers of the city.
Once again come into his own
/ Bentons thoughts returned to HIS
psst life. and when friend passing
through Richmond persuaded him 10
return to New York and claim his
fortune. Benton consented. He was
examined by DIR. l., G. Bosher and DR.
/ Eevrly Tucker. who declared him
sane. Later two OF the foremost alien
! lists of New York declared Benton
was in his right mind
Receivers His Fortune.
BENTON then Instituted court pro-
ceedngs through his attorneys. Yorke
< Yorka. OF Brooklyn. 10 recover his
/ property. He also looked up his fam,
| ily. returning to hts relatives as ore
I y
dead for years. His mother. Mrs
adelaide Johnson, of Fertile Valley
New York. was willing that he should
again control his own finances, and
after the Supreme Court OF Brook
lyn adJudged MIN competent. the
money. amounting to more than s27.-
Goo was placed in bank To his
credit.
Spring came and Benton's thoughts
ally drifting toward love. Ills heart
had for some time been IN possession
of Miss Mamie Proffitt, and late IT
March he asked II she would accom-
pany him TO Washington. She said
yes. Miss Proffitt's sister. who lives
in Washington. came to Richmond
and accompanied the couple To the
fass tfsrsai- capital The license. WAS pro.
cured and the knot tied by the Rev
r. Hez SVEN. pastor NJ the Second
Baptist church Of Washington.
From Washington the couple Went
to Philadelphia. thence to New YORK
and later TO Canada. They returned
TO Richmond quietly and had beer
here several days before their friend.
learned of the wedding. Bentons frs
secret was out, but he didn't mind
aC he intended announcing the mar
r riage in Il short rhine. fis had toft
his wife all the Interesting facts %
his past life. and both were cont
dent that his history would never
come out
But an alert newspaper reporter Fl
Brooklyn. while proving about tn,
courts found the papers in Benton.
case and Benton's second secret wa.
released to the world. Benton, how
ever. does not care much about IN,
revelation now. He says he has neyel
done any one harm but himself. owes
no money and can look every man II
the face,
His bride is best known here a
the plaintiff in the sensational $40,
600 damage suit against the Oppie
ton family which was tried in til,
Hastings Court of South Richmond
early this year. She was awarded