Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1897 — IS GUILTY OF WIFE-MURDER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IS GUILTY OF WIFE-MURDER.

**wmkcr of Hnlnvla, N. Y., !■ Convicted of Using Prussic Acid. Howard C. Benham, a young banker of Bntnvln, N. Y., has been found guilty of murder in the first degree. It was charg-

ed that lie poisoned his wife with prussic acid. Benham’s trial lasted nearly ttirrr weeks. Benhatn in •b 92 eloped with and married Miss Florence Toutsman, beir- . ess, 16 years of age. At that time be was 22 years of age. In December last Mrs. Benham was taken seriously ill, and du

the morning of Jan. 4 she died. Benham gnfb out a statement thnt'dentli was due to rheunuitiHin of the heart, and the coro-

ner decided that death was caused by atrophy and degeneration of tiie muscular tissue. Later rumors became current tlint Benhnm bad purchased prussic acid, and Mrs.< Benham’s body was exhumed, and the various organs removed for examina-

tion. Poison was found. Benham was then indicted and was placed on trial June 21.

H. C. BENHAM.

MRS. BENHAM.