On February 7, 1874, at Fillmore Co, Minnesota, Christian A Benson married Christine Jacobson.
Sept/Oct Chris had registered for Land at Evans Bay, Read Island, where he had planned to make a home for his wife and two daughters, who were then living in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington.
The Miner Newspaper, Nelson, BC, Saturday, Nov. 10, 1894 - Provincial News - The dead body of C. A. Benson, bearing evident marks of violence was found floating in an open boat between Read Island and Camp Island. The deceased in partnership with E. W. Wylie had been keeping a store on Read Island. A coroners jury at Vancouver found a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown and urged for increased police protection along the north coast.
The Weekly News, Union, Comox, BC, Tuesday Nov. 13, 1894 -
C. A. Benson, late partner of E. W. Wylie, Read Island, has come to a mysterious end, his lifeless body being found in a boat drifting between Read Island and Camp Island. He was last seen alive on the 9th, ultimo, about 5 miles from his home, getting into his skiff to row home. From the appearance of the body, deceased had been dead three weeks.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer - June 21, 1895 - An Old Crime come to Light - Vancouver, B. C., Last November the body of Chris A. Benson, who ran a store at Read Island, about 100 miles north of here, was found floating in a boat. An inquest was held and a verdict of murder was returned against parties unknown. A rancher named [John H] Smith has just been arrested by Superintendent of Provincial Police Huseey on the charge of his murder. It is stated that Benson was intimate with Smith's wife, and that finding them together, Smith killed him putting his body In a boat and casting it adrift. It is also stated that Mrs. Smith gave information to the police concerning the murder.
Victoria Daily Colonist, June 22, 1895
The Mystery of Christian Benson's Death to Be Explained in a Court of Justice.
Superintendent Hussey and Officers Arrest John Smith on the Charge of Murder.
Thanks to the patient, persistent work of the provincial police the seal of secrecy has been broken in another closed chapter of British Columbia criminal history , and the mystery surrounding the death of Christian A. Benson on October 9 last, to be on the eve of solution . Superintendent Hussey had been "taking a holiday " from office cares , and the result is that he arrived at Nanaimo yesterday with a prisoner, John Smith of Camp Island, charges with having committed the almost forgotten crime, almost forgotten by general public, but , not by the department over which Mr. Hussey presides . The arrest was made at Valdez Island on Wednesday morning laid and so complete a chain of direct and circumstantial evidence was presented at the preliminary examination held in Comox the following day that Justice of the Peace Drabble quickly decided that his only course was to commit the prisoner for trial. "Jealousy" is given as the motive for the horrible crime, and Superintendent Hussey believes that the case against John Smith is conclusive beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Benson, the victim of the tragedy thus brought again to the public notice, and a well known logging man, left his home at Wylie's, Read Island, on the 9th of last October to go the Rose & Drinkwater's store, Cortez Island, for supplies, telling Wylie that he would be back about noon. He arrived at his destination, transacted his business, and started for home before 11 o'clock, he was not seen or heard from again in life.
Toward the end of the month two logging men named Van Farrell and Doucett found his double-ended skiff afloat, while they were crossing in their boat from Read Island to Camp Island, John Smith's home. They took boat in tow, and in it found Benson's corpse, the head and shoulders dragging in the water, and the boat showing that it had been washed on and off the beach.
The post mortem disclosed that blows from a blunt weapon had been received on the neck, head and chest, all these parts for the body being badly bruised, and the doctors testifying that the injuries were amply sufficient to cause death. The testimony of other witnesses at the inquest was to the effect that Benson was in good health when he left home on the fatal 9th of October, and the jury according returned a verdict "That the deceased, Christian A. Benson came to his death on or about the 9th day of October from the effects of blows on the head and neck inflicted by some person or persons unknown," a rider being added as to the necessity for the establishment of a police patrol along the northern coast and among the islands for the gulf.
Here the case was dismissed from the public mind and here the officers of the law went to work upon it. Suspicion soon fastened upon Smith, who, though a near neighbour of Wylie and Benson, was not on very good terms with the latter. In the course of their investigation, Supt. Hussey, Constable Hutchison now of Union and Mr. Manson, J.P., of Cortez Island, found much to confirm their fist suspicions, and a close watch was kept upon the suspect Smith. Several attempts were made to interview Mrs. Smith, each failing owing to her husband's unremittent vigilance.
About two weeks ago the long desired opportunity presented itself, Smith having been obliged to seek work at Dineen's logging camp on Valdez Island, and so leave his home. No time was lost, Superintendent Hussey, Officer Webster and Mr. Manson, J.P., proceeding to Camp Island by the Comox on Tuesday last for the purpose of having a talk with Mrs. Smith and her daughter Cora. Both told the same story-- and it was as the officers had long suspected.
Smith had acknowledged his guilt to both wife and daughter, and threatened them with instant death in the event of their "giving him away." He had, too, made the usual boast that he would never be taken alive.
He opinion on this point evidently changed upon reflection, for when the officers waited upon him at Valdez Island early Wednesday morning he offered no resistance when Superintendent Hussey informed him that he was under arrest --charged with wilful murder. The police, prisoner and witness reached Comox at midnight on Wednesday, and the preliminary examination before Mr. Drabble, J.P., on Thursday morning showed that the Crown have a very strong case -- even without the voluntary testimony of the wife. It is expected that the trial will take place in Westminster, at which place the prisoner will be delivered to-day. Smith is sullen and denies nothing.
It is supposed that Benson called at the Smith's ranch on his way home, and that Smith in a fit of jealous rage clubbed him to death, afterwards sending the body adrift in the little boat in which it was found a fort-night later. This craft, a small flat-bottomed, double-ended skiff, is now lying at MacKintosh's boat house here, a relic of the mysterious crime.
Sept/Oct Chris had registered for Land at Evans Bay, Read Island, where he had planned to make a home for his wife and two daughters, who were then living in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington.
The Miner Newspaper, Nelson, BC, Saturday, Nov. 10, 1894 - Provincial News - The dead body of C. A. Benson, bearing evident marks of violence was found floating in an open boat between Read Island and Camp Island. The deceased in partnership with E. W. Wylie had been keeping a store on Read Island. A coroners jury at Vancouver found a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown and urged for increased police protection along the north coast.
The Weekly News, Union, Comox, BC, Tuesday Nov. 13, 1894 -
C. A. Benson, late partner of E. W. Wylie, Read Island, has come to a mysterious end, his lifeless body being found in a boat drifting between Read Island and Camp Island. He was last seen alive on the 9th, ultimo, about 5 miles from his home, getting into his skiff to row home. From the appearance of the body, deceased had been dead three weeks.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer - June 21, 1895 - An Old Crime come to Light - Vancouver, B. C., Last November the body of Chris A. Benson, who ran a store at Read Island, about 100 miles north of here, was found floating in a boat. An inquest was held and a verdict of murder was returned against parties unknown. A rancher named [John H] Smith has just been arrested by Superintendent of Provincial Police Huseey on the charge of his murder. It is stated that Benson was intimate with Smith's wife, and that finding them together, Smith killed him putting his body In a boat and casting it adrift. It is also stated that Mrs. Smith gave information to the police concerning the murder.
Victoria Daily Colonist, June 22, 1895
The Mystery of Christian Benson's Death to Be Explained in a Court of Justice.
Superintendent Hussey and Officers Arrest John Smith on the Charge of Murder.
Thanks to the patient, persistent work of the provincial police the seal of secrecy has been broken in another closed chapter of British Columbia criminal history , and the mystery surrounding the death of Christian A. Benson on October 9 last, to be on the eve of solution . Superintendent Hussey had been "taking a holiday " from office cares , and the result is that he arrived at Nanaimo yesterday with a prisoner, John Smith of Camp Island, charges with having committed the almost forgotten crime, almost forgotten by general public, but , not by the department over which Mr. Hussey presides . The arrest was made at Valdez Island on Wednesday morning laid and so complete a chain of direct and circumstantial evidence was presented at the preliminary examination held in Comox the following day that Justice of the Peace Drabble quickly decided that his only course was to commit the prisoner for trial. "Jealousy" is given as the motive for the horrible crime, and Superintendent Hussey believes that the case against John Smith is conclusive beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Benson, the victim of the tragedy thus brought again to the public notice, and a well known logging man, left his home at Wylie's, Read Island, on the 9th of last October to go the Rose & Drinkwater's store, Cortez Island, for supplies, telling Wylie that he would be back about noon. He arrived at his destination, transacted his business, and started for home before 11 o'clock, he was not seen or heard from again in life.
Toward the end of the month two logging men named Van Farrell and Doucett found his double-ended skiff afloat, while they were crossing in their boat from Read Island to Camp Island, John Smith's home. They took boat in tow, and in it found Benson's corpse, the head and shoulders dragging in the water, and the boat showing that it had been washed on and off the beach.
The post mortem disclosed that blows from a blunt weapon had been received on the neck, head and chest, all these parts for the body being badly bruised, and the doctors testifying that the injuries were amply sufficient to cause death. The testimony of other witnesses at the inquest was to the effect that Benson was in good health when he left home on the fatal 9th of October, and the jury according returned a verdict "That the deceased, Christian A. Benson came to his death on or about the 9th day of October from the effects of blows on the head and neck inflicted by some person or persons unknown," a rider being added as to the necessity for the establishment of a police patrol along the northern coast and among the islands for the gulf.
Here the case was dismissed from the public mind and here the officers of the law went to work upon it. Suspicion soon fastened upon Smith, who, though a near neighbour of Wylie and Benson, was not on very good terms with the latter. In the course of their investigation, Supt. Hussey, Constable Hutchison now of Union and Mr. Manson, J.P., of Cortez Island, found much to confirm their fist suspicions, and a close watch was kept upon the suspect Smith. Several attempts were made to interview Mrs. Smith, each failing owing to her husband's unremittent vigilance.
About two weeks ago the long desired opportunity presented itself, Smith having been obliged to seek work at Dineen's logging camp on Valdez Island, and so leave his home. No time was lost, Superintendent Hussey, Officer Webster and Mr. Manson, J.P., proceeding to Camp Island by the Comox on Tuesday last for the purpose of having a talk with Mrs. Smith and her daughter Cora. Both told the same story-- and it was as the officers had long suspected.
Smith had acknowledged his guilt to both wife and daughter, and threatened them with instant death in the event of their "giving him away." He had, too, made the usual boast that he would never be taken alive.
He opinion on this point evidently changed upon reflection, for when the officers waited upon him at Valdez Island early Wednesday morning he offered no resistance when Superintendent Hussey informed him that he was under arrest --charged with wilful murder. The police, prisoner and witness reached Comox at midnight on Wednesday, and the preliminary examination before Mr. Drabble, J.P., on Thursday morning showed that the Crown have a very strong case -- even without the voluntary testimony of the wife. It is expected that the trial will take place in Westminster, at which place the prisoner will be delivered to-day. Smith is sullen and denies nothing.
It is supposed that Benson called at the Smith's ranch on his way home, and that Smith in a fit of jealous rage clubbed him to death, afterwards sending the body adrift in the little boat in which it was found a fort-night later. This craft, a small flat-bottomed, double-ended skiff, is now lying at MacKintosh's boat house here, a relic of the mysterious crime.
On February 7, 1874, at Fillmore Co, Minnesota, Christian A Benson married Christine Jacobson.
Sept/Oct Chris had registered for Land at Evans Bay, Read Island, where he had planned to make a home for his wife and two daughters, who were then living in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington.
The Miner Newspaper, Nelson, BC, Saturday, Nov. 10, 1894 - Provincial News - The dead body of C. A. Benson, bearing evident marks of violence was found floating in an open boat between Read Island and Camp Island. The deceased in partnership with E. W. Wylie had been keeping a store on Read Island. A coroners jury at Vancouver found a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown and urged for increased police protection along the north coast.
The Weekly News, Union, Comox, BC, Tuesday Nov. 13, 1894 -
C. A. Benson, late partner of E. W. Wylie, Read Island, has come to a mysterious end, his lifeless body being found in a boat drifting between Read Island and Camp Island. He was last seen alive on the 9th, ultimo, about 5 miles from his home, getting into his skiff to row home. From the appearance of the body, deceased had been dead three weeks.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer - June 21, 1895 - An Old Crime come to Light - Vancouver, B. C., Last November the body of Chris A. Benson, who ran a store at Read Island, about 100 miles north of here, was found floating in a boat. An inquest was held and a verdict of murder was returned against parties unknown. A rancher named [John H] Smith has just been arrested by Superintendent of Provincial Police Huseey on the charge of his murder. It is stated that Benson was intimate with Smith's wife, and that finding them together, Smith killed him putting his body In a boat and casting it adrift. It is also stated that Mrs. Smith gave information to the police concerning the murder.
Victoria Daily Colonist, June 22, 1895
The Mystery of Christian Benson's Death to Be Explained in a Court of Justice.
Superintendent Hussey and Officers Arrest John Smith on the Charge of Murder.
Thanks to the patient, persistent work of the provincial police the seal of secrecy has been broken in another closed chapter of British Columbia criminal history , and the mystery surrounding the death of Christian A. Benson on October 9 last, to be on the eve of solution . Superintendent Hussey had been "taking a holiday " from office cares , and the result is that he arrived at Nanaimo yesterday with a prisoner, John Smith of Camp Island, charges with having committed the almost forgotten crime, almost forgotten by general public, but , not by the department over which Mr. Hussey presides . The arrest was made at Valdez Island on Wednesday morning laid and so complete a chain of direct and circumstantial evidence was presented at the preliminary examination held in Comox the following day that Justice of the Peace Drabble quickly decided that his only course was to commit the prisoner for trial. "Jealousy" is given as the motive for the horrible crime, and Superintendent Hussey believes that the case against John Smith is conclusive beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Benson, the victim of the tragedy thus brought again to the public notice, and a well known logging man, left his home at Wylie's, Read Island, on the 9th of last October to go the Rose & Drinkwater's store, Cortez Island, for supplies, telling Wylie that he would be back about noon. He arrived at his destination, transacted his business, and started for home before 11 o'clock, he was not seen or heard from again in life.
Toward the end of the month two logging men named Van Farrell and Doucett found his double-ended skiff afloat, while they were crossing in their boat from Read Island to Camp Island, John Smith's home. They took boat in tow, and in it found Benson's corpse, the head and shoulders dragging in the water, and the boat showing that it had been washed on and off the beach.
The post mortem disclosed that blows from a blunt weapon had been received on the neck, head and chest, all these parts for the body being badly bruised, and the doctors testifying that the injuries were amply sufficient to cause death. The testimony of other witnesses at the inquest was to the effect that Benson was in good health when he left home on the fatal 9th of October, and the jury according returned a verdict "That the deceased, Christian A. Benson came to his death on or about the 9th day of October from the effects of blows on the head and neck inflicted by some person or persons unknown," a rider being added as to the necessity for the establishment of a police patrol along the northern coast and among the islands for the gulf.
Here the case was dismissed from the public mind and here the officers of the law went to work upon it. Suspicion soon fastened upon Smith, who, though a near neighbour of Wylie and Benson, was not on very good terms with the latter. In the course of their investigation, Supt. Hussey, Constable Hutchison now of Union and Mr. Manson, J.P., of Cortez Island, found much to confirm their fist suspicions, and a close watch was kept upon the suspect Smith. Several attempts were made to interview Mrs. Smith, each failing owing to her husband's unremittent vigilance.
About two weeks ago the long desired opportunity presented itself, Smith having been obliged to seek work at Dineen's logging camp on Valdez Island, and so leave his home. No time was lost, Superintendent Hussey, Officer Webster and Mr. Manson, J.P., proceeding to Camp Island by the Comox on Tuesday last for the purpose of having a talk with Mrs. Smith and her daughter Cora. Both told the same story-- and it was as the officers had long suspected.
Smith had acknowledged his guilt to both wife and daughter, and threatened them with instant death in the event of their "giving him away." He had, too, made the usual boast that he would never be taken alive.
He opinion on this point evidently changed upon reflection, for when the officers waited upon him at Valdez Island early Wednesday morning he offered no resistance when Superintendent Hussey informed him that he was under arrest --charged with wilful murder. The police, prisoner and witness reached Comox at midnight on Wednesday, and the preliminary examination before Mr. Drabble, J.P., on Thursday morning showed that the Crown have a very strong case -- even without the voluntary testimony of the wife. It is expected that the trial will take place in Westminster, at which place the prisoner will be delivered to-day. Smith is sullen and denies nothing.
It is supposed that Benson called at the Smith's ranch on his way home, and that Smith in a fit of jealous rage clubbed him to death, afterwards sending the body adrift in the little boat in which it was found a fort-night later. This craft, a small flat-bottomed, double-ended skiff, is now lying at MacKintosh's boat house here, a relic of the mysterious crime.
Sept/Oct Chris had registered for Land at Evans Bay, Read Island, where he had planned to make a home for his wife and two daughters, who were then living in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington.
The Miner Newspaper, Nelson, BC, Saturday, Nov. 10, 1894 - Provincial News - The dead body of C. A. Benson, bearing evident marks of violence was found floating in an open boat between Read Island and Camp Island. The deceased in partnership with E. W. Wylie had been keeping a store on Read Island. A coroners jury at Vancouver found a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown and urged for increased police protection along the north coast.
The Weekly News, Union, Comox, BC, Tuesday Nov. 13, 1894 -
C. A. Benson, late partner of E. W. Wylie, Read Island, has come to a mysterious end, his lifeless body being found in a boat drifting between Read Island and Camp Island. He was last seen alive on the 9th, ultimo, about 5 miles from his home, getting into his skiff to row home. From the appearance of the body, deceased had been dead three weeks.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer - June 21, 1895 - An Old Crime come to Light - Vancouver, B. C., Last November the body of Chris A. Benson, who ran a store at Read Island, about 100 miles north of here, was found floating in a boat. An inquest was held and a verdict of murder was returned against parties unknown. A rancher named [John H] Smith has just been arrested by Superintendent of Provincial Police Huseey on the charge of his murder. It is stated that Benson was intimate with Smith's wife, and that finding them together, Smith killed him putting his body In a boat and casting it adrift. It is also stated that Mrs. Smith gave information to the police concerning the murder.
Victoria Daily Colonist, June 22, 1895
The Mystery of Christian Benson's Death to Be Explained in a Court of Justice.
Superintendent Hussey and Officers Arrest John Smith on the Charge of Murder.
Thanks to the patient, persistent work of the provincial police the seal of secrecy has been broken in another closed chapter of British Columbia criminal history , and the mystery surrounding the death of Christian A. Benson on October 9 last, to be on the eve of solution . Superintendent Hussey had been "taking a holiday " from office cares , and the result is that he arrived at Nanaimo yesterday with a prisoner, John Smith of Camp Island, charges with having committed the almost forgotten crime, almost forgotten by general public, but , not by the department over which Mr. Hussey presides . The arrest was made at Valdez Island on Wednesday morning laid and so complete a chain of direct and circumstantial evidence was presented at the preliminary examination held in Comox the following day that Justice of the Peace Drabble quickly decided that his only course was to commit the prisoner for trial. "Jealousy" is given as the motive for the horrible crime, and Superintendent Hussey believes that the case against John Smith is conclusive beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Benson, the victim of the tragedy thus brought again to the public notice, and a well known logging man, left his home at Wylie's, Read Island, on the 9th of last October to go the Rose & Drinkwater's store, Cortez Island, for supplies, telling Wylie that he would be back about noon. He arrived at his destination, transacted his business, and started for home before 11 o'clock, he was not seen or heard from again in life.
Toward the end of the month two logging men named Van Farrell and Doucett found his double-ended skiff afloat, while they were crossing in their boat from Read Island to Camp Island, John Smith's home. They took boat in tow, and in it found Benson's corpse, the head and shoulders dragging in the water, and the boat showing that it had been washed on and off the beach.
The post mortem disclosed that blows from a blunt weapon had been received on the neck, head and chest, all these parts for the body being badly bruised, and the doctors testifying that the injuries were amply sufficient to cause death. The testimony of other witnesses at the inquest was to the effect that Benson was in good health when he left home on the fatal 9th of October, and the jury according returned a verdict "That the deceased, Christian A. Benson came to his death on or about the 9th day of October from the effects of blows on the head and neck inflicted by some person or persons unknown," a rider being added as to the necessity for the establishment of a police patrol along the northern coast and among the islands for the gulf.
Here the case was dismissed from the public mind and here the officers of the law went to work upon it. Suspicion soon fastened upon Smith, who, though a near neighbour of Wylie and Benson, was not on very good terms with the latter. In the course of their investigation, Supt. Hussey, Constable Hutchison now of Union and Mr. Manson, J.P., of Cortez Island, found much to confirm their fist suspicions, and a close watch was kept upon the suspect Smith. Several attempts were made to interview Mrs. Smith, each failing owing to her husband's unremittent vigilance.
About two weeks ago the long desired opportunity presented itself, Smith having been obliged to seek work at Dineen's logging camp on Valdez Island, and so leave his home. No time was lost, Superintendent Hussey, Officer Webster and Mr. Manson, J.P., proceeding to Camp Island by the Comox on Tuesday last for the purpose of having a talk with Mrs. Smith and her daughter Cora. Both told the same story-- and it was as the officers had long suspected.
Smith had acknowledged his guilt to both wife and daughter, and threatened them with instant death in the event of their "giving him away." He had, too, made the usual boast that he would never be taken alive.
He opinion on this point evidently changed upon reflection, for when the officers waited upon him at Valdez Island early Wednesday morning he offered no resistance when Superintendent Hussey informed him that he was under arrest --charged with wilful murder. The police, prisoner and witness reached Comox at midnight on Wednesday, and the preliminary examination before Mr. Drabble, J.P., on Thursday morning showed that the Crown have a very strong case -- even without the voluntary testimony of the wife. It is expected that the trial will take place in Westminster, at which place the prisoner will be delivered to-day. Smith is sullen and denies nothing.
It is supposed that Benson called at the Smith's ranch on his way home, and that Smith in a fit of jealous rage clubbed him to death, afterwards sending the body adrift in the little boat in which it was found a fort-night later. This craft, a small flat-bottomed, double-ended skiff, is now lying at MacKintosh's boat house here, a relic of the mysterious crime.
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