Evening journal., 1913-07-14
DIVE FROM
RIVER PIER
NEARLY KILLS
Former President Of Council
Saved From Drowning
After Shock Par
alyzeS Him
PHYSICIAN EXPECTS
HIM TO RECOVER

Pmnging head first from a diving
pier at Fenton Beach. n. j.. yester-
day. Samuel II. Benson, Jr.. former
president of City Council, struck the
bottom of the Delaware river with
such force that he cut a sever cash
In his head and injured his spinal
cord to such an extent that he is
still unable to use his limbs. His
arms and legs were paralyzed by the
blow and while his arms are sensi-
tive he is unable to use his fingers
and has no sense OF touch in his
limbs HIS condition was reported
unchanged today.
soon after Mr.. Benson arrived at the
beach with a party OF guests OF Mr.
and Mrs. J. Frank White and IL served
to put a damper on the days pleas
ure. Some OF the members OF the
party had entered the water with Mr..
Benson but soon after the accident
they doffed their bathing suits and
did not again enter the water
Fortunately Dr. Thomas n. Miln-
kin, Of this city, who recently took a
cottage at the beach. was near al
hand He closed the wound in Mr..
Benson's head with Ave stitches and
gave him all the medical attention re-
quired at the time. Mr. Benson was
then carried from the dancing pa
wilton where he was taken from the
water. to Mr.. Whites cottage wher,
everything was done for his comfort
When Mr.. Benson did not regain tn
use OF his limbs Il was deemed bes
to notify his wife in this city Tn
trip to Wilmington was made by Hor
b ace s. Allen. a friend OF the Benz on
, in the yacht lmnaha owned by Ere
s h. Bell. Mrs. Benson was Just abol
{ to take an afternoon nap when NJ
o Allen arrived at her home. She boi
up we'll under the news which WI
= gently broken to her and returned
the beach with Mr. Allen after co
forring with Dr. John Palmer, J
the family physician. The latter
rected that Mr.. Benson be brought
Wilmington at once and this was Z
comnlished last evening withe
~ mishap. the Phoenix ambulance me-
n Ing the power boat Eva Bell az {
! shipley street wharf and conveyii
Mr. Benson 10 his home
y The condition Of the patient was r
n ported unchanged today. He Is res
= ing easily but still has no use OF h
! limbs Or. Palmer made minute 2,
" animation OF the patient last nigh
10 He found no bones broken. but n
e spine was jammed up as a result
the blow on the head. The physicia
4 also found some ligaments torn froi
A the spine hut this be considered tri'
ial. II hemorrhages are present III
physician considers the case serlou
r but n not. Il is expected Ms. Bensso
|, will recover.
II seemed coincidence that N
d two men who saved Mr.. Benson fro
b drowning were former Councilme
and members of the body over whic
he presided His rescuers we're Coul
cilmen Samuel H. Hinger of n
Twelfth ward and Edward A. Higgin
$ OF the Third ward. The former swa
10 Mr.. Benson's assistance the mil
10 ute the latter came to the surface. TT
former President of Council afte
e ward said he could hear the shouts
IS his companions, but he was helplei
j. to call TO them. Unable 10 use h
d limbs. he realized his danger an
IT thought death near.
While this thought was in his mir
Mr Benson felt an arm encircle n
!, upper portion Of his body and he kne
y he was saved Mr.. Hinger had reache
y him and while supporting the near
Continued on Second Page).