The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-08-11

cording to DR.. Lepp, who attended
here and who was called before the
cOroner's jury One shot went
her mouth shattering her
teeth and lodging it is believed, near
the brain. A second bullet entered
her cheek Benson was shot through
the ear and it is believed he died in
a few minutes after the shot was
fired. 4.. , -.f.-.,,rg~E, VII a.
After she4was shot in the upstairs
front bed room Mrs. Benson made her
way to the telephone downstairs and
called relative, who summoned the
police Mrs. Benson then washed
blood from her wounds. When the
police arrived she was excited, and
could not talk very we'll because Of
the bullet which shattered her upper
lip. She was hurried to the hospital.
Wanted to Die Together
Benson was about 40 years of age
and his wife was about 40. Family
differences are believed by authorities
TO have been one of the causes Of
bringing about the situation which ap.
parently led to the tragedy.
Benson had been laying tile in the
Bismarck hospital. According to Mrs.
Benson he worked during the day and
came home late in the afternoon He
appeared respondent.
Lets die together" he told her, she
said. ...
why how foolish she replied, dis.
missing the remark
Benson had acted queerly for the
last few days, according to his wife.
He complained that he couldn't sleep
that the children made too much
noise in the streets. It never had
been more quiet than last night. ac.
cording to the neighbors. Benson ap.
parently did not eat his evening meal,
part Of it being left on the table.
His wife, who talked to officials at
the hospital, said that Benson went
upstairs early in the evening. He
had been in the habit of remaining
alone for long periods of time lately,
she said. and she thought nothing of
this. He called for her to come to
bed She replied that it was too
early. Later he asked for coffee. She
took lunch up to him.
Light Burning
When they retired the electric light
was left turned on. The blind was
pulled down, because Of the storming
conditions. but later raised it. About
3 o'clock. according to Mrs. Benson,
she was awakened by Benson.
"Let me look at you" he said, put
ting his hands to the side of her head.
A moment later he is said to have
shot her How many times she was
chnf Mrc porc0n 1oncr'f I'm ho
doesn't know how many times Benson
shot himself
II didn't hear him fall to the floor"
she said. Benson. according to Off.
GERS, after shooting himself sat on the
edge of the bed. Blood had trickled
down his side from the side of his
head. He fell face downward on the
floor and when the body was found his
head was partly under a chair The
revolver was lying close BY Another
revolver was found, but bullets-three
Of them-were missing only from the
one, .32 calibre pistol. weapon.
Causes Reunion
Mrs. Benson did not call the police
she admitted. She was
excited, she said. Her first act was
to make her way to the bath room to
wash the blood away, she said Then
she called her cousin. August Watz,
who summoned the police and her
brother. Gus Solberg.
The tragedy united her again with
her brother, Gus, according to her sto.
ry in the hospital She said she had
not sponken to her brother for eight
years. He called at the hospital, soil
citous for her welfare. Offering to aid
in any way that he could
The shots were heard about 3 a. M,
according to the officials, and the DO.
ice were not called until about
o'clock
The house was Immediately placed
n charge of the coroner and Chief of
Police Martineson ordered pictures
aiken of the room. which had not been
disturbed. Efforts were to be made to
preserve all finger prints A coroners
ury was summoned for tbs afternoon
August WatZ, cousin of Mrs. Ben
on, was the first person to ar
i've at the scene of the tragedy He
vas called by telephone by Mrs Ben
on. After rushing to the house he
put in a police call and
Policeman Randall answered Chief
# Police Chris Martineson was mott
led and he arrived at the house
roment after Randall dashed up in
taxicab. Sheriff Rollin Welch,
states Attorney E. Allen and or
rer Beard were summoned
Mrs. Benson, bleeding profuseiy
nd in her night clothes, with her
air braided down her back was rush
d to st. AleXius hospital, block
istant, in the taxicab, and DR.. Lipp
ttended her.
Benson on Floor
Though much excited when the Of
icers arrived, Mrs. Benson talked in
clliuonfl1, To flaona host CHI GOULD