The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-01-11
VOL XLVII
BENTON CARRIED OUT THREAT
AND COMMITTED SUICIDE
KILLED SELF NEAR LOWE

Drank Carbolic Acid-Had Told of
Intention to Kill Himself in Let
ter to WILMINGTON Star-In Love
With Robson County Girl-Spent
Christmas in Lumberton and Told
Tnen of PurpOse-Wife and Chill
dren Survive
After disclosing the fact in an un-
dated letter received by the Will
mington Star Monday afternoon that
he intended to end his life, L. C.
Benton, a native of Columbus coun-
~ty, killed himself near Lowe Tues
day night by drinking carbolic acid.
The remains of Benton were found in
the woods about 300 yards from the
home of Mr.. w. F. Prevatt. RILEY
Carte: vi lives near by, heard Ben
ton making struggling noise about
8 o'clock and went to the home of /
Mr.. Prevatt and told him about it. !
When they went to the scene they
found Benton's body cold in death. !
Sheriff R. E. Lewis was notified a.
once and he went to the scene. Tt
was learned from some papers in
his pockets and in a suit case which
lBeHton carried that he was the man
who had written The Star of his in
tentions to end his life. Guards were
remains till morning.
"A note bearing the following in
escription was found attached to
Benton's suit case: "Notify R. c..
Benton or Hoyle Benton at Chad
bourn". Mr.. R. C. Benton, broth
ser of the unfortunate man, was To-
Gated at Evergreen, Columbus coun-
ty, and came to the scene of the
suicide yesterday morning. Near the
remains was found an empty ounce
bottle tabled "carbolic acid" An in
Quest was not deemed necessary, and
the remains were taken in charge
by the undertaking department of
Messrs. Stephens & Barnes of Lum-
berton yesterday morning and pre-
pared for burial. They were ship
ped to Evergreen for interment.
Benton was formerly chief of po-
lice at Chadbourn, but had been con-
sducting a store at Wedesboro for
some time. He left Wadesboro Mon
day morning, telling his friends there
that he was going down the road a
piece. He came to Lowe Monday
and had been thereabouts Up to the
time when he drank the fatal dose.
It is saia he slept in an old clubhouse
near Lowe Monday night.
were found near the body of the dead
man. A number, of insurance pol
icies and some other papers were
found in the bag, while some clothes
were found in the suit case. Ben
ton had SAT in his pockets. He also
had picture in his pocket. Unde,
the picture, which was that of 6
Robson county lady, was the follow
ing note written with percil
$50 sad to me that we evel
met on this earth. 1t has beer
my end. Trouble is killing me. M!
dear children have forsaken NE fo,
life. (Girl's name 6ere( please sym
pathize with me in eternity. Yol
know the rest".
Benton was 81 years of age Mon
day, and had wife ard some chill
dren. His wife has been in the Stat
hospital for the insane at Raleig]
for some time.
Benton registered at the Lorrain
hotel in Lumberton Christmas da
and stayed there for three days. H
remained in his room all the tim
he was in Lumberton. He told Mi
F. A. Crabtree, proprietor of tn
troubles and declared that he in
tended to end it all.
DR.. B. w. Page, county health Of
ficer, said that Benton could not hav
lived more than an hour after h
drank the poison.
1t is said that Benton was throw
from motorcycle several month
ago and the young lady for who1
he seemed to have so much love nur
ed him while he was recovering fro
tho fall. Immediately after he r.
covered he began trying to NAL
love to the young lady. and viii
she paid no attention to him he ke7
writing her letters. The fact th
the young lady paid no attention
him no doubt caused Benton to eel
it alp.
The letter sent to The Star M"
day bv Benton, supposed to ha'
been mailed on the train at Hamle
read as follows:
''Will you please publish this t
me I will not be here to read
Tonight will end this life with r
1t is trouble that is killing me, n
heart is broken on account OF t
trouble I am good citizen OF I
lumbus County, Chadbourn, N.
and if nv dost don't fail tonight
will be dead man in the mornir
"sincerely yours
&C. L. Benton
'the victor
"Wounded love Tis true that 10
Yields a magic sovereign absoll
ard tyranical power over both t
body and mind. When it is Civ
control it is often in the case of d
appointment works havoc and De
death blows to it's victims and lea'
many in that mortified mental c.
dition which no life tonics SIM
can restore. Wounded love may
means of hast death to it's victor
"Crucifving love. Painful love str
RIGHT tn the heart and Breaking
of love that can not be consumm
ed in Life is sometimes allowed