They were married Apr.17, 1864 in Scott, MO- He was born in Alcase-Loraine, France. His parents, Joseph and Mary Bena immigrated from France between 1845-1860- The following information is Ref: "Albert Rice Chapman (1866-1948) and His Descendants",1993- by Toni Martinazzi. He served in the Civil war in Co B of Missouri Cavalry-was injured at Pea Pack Ridge, AR. He became ill and went home. Since he was absent when the war was over he was declared AWOL.
He was a local physician and also involved in mining for gold and silver in Splitlog, McDonald Co.,MO area. He gave up when mineshaft reached 90 feet.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community.
Taken from "History of McDonald County, MO- by Judge J.A. Sturges, 1897
About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of
a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community. About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands. It is claimed that the Philadelphia company paid $15,000 for the south half of section 9, township 23, range 33, a particularly barren and worthless tract of land. Confident of ultimate success, and that the city which bore his name would soon be the center of a rich mining district, Splitlog conceived the idea of building a railroad to his mines. A company was formed, a charter procured and the road built and equipped from Joplin to Splitlog, the old Indian furnishing most of the money. In the mean time he had sold a tract of land near Wyandott, Kansas, for $170,000, and most of this he had invested in his "great project." By this time it had been fully demonstrated that the mines were worthless; the rich quartz was just common McDonald county rock, and a poor quality at that.
Additional info kindly provided by Contributor Rhonda Williams Wyrsch.
I just wanted to add that Sataurnin and Mariah "Marie" Taylor Bena had a daughter that is not listed on this site.
Her name is Mary Augusta (They called her Gussie) Bena. She was born Feb 15 1867 in Goodman McDonald County MO and died Feb 11 1946 in Goodman McDonald County MO. She married George Franklin Williams who was born in 1868 and died in 1949. They had children: Myrtal Williams, Fred Adolphus Williams, Agnis Williams, Lois Williams, Gladdis Williams, Ruby D. Williams, Marie Williams, Lyda Williams, and Beulah Williams. Fred Adolphus was my paternal grandfather.
He was a local physician and also involved in mining for gold and silver in Splitlog, McDonald Co.,MO area. He gave up when mineshaft reached 90 feet.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community.
Taken from "History of McDonald County, MO- by Judge J.A. Sturges, 1897
About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of
a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community. About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands. It is claimed that the Philadelphia company paid $15,000 for the south half of section 9, township 23, range 33, a particularly barren and worthless tract of land. Confident of ultimate success, and that the city which bore his name would soon be the center of a rich mining district, Splitlog conceived the idea of building a railroad to his mines. A company was formed, a charter procured and the road built and equipped from Joplin to Splitlog, the old Indian furnishing most of the money. In the mean time he had sold a tract of land near Wyandott, Kansas, for $170,000, and most of this he had invested in his "great project." By this time it had been fully demonstrated that the mines were worthless; the rich quartz was just common McDonald county rock, and a poor quality at that.
Additional info kindly provided by Contributor Rhonda Williams Wyrsch.
I just wanted to add that Sataurnin and Mariah "Marie" Taylor Bena had a daughter that is not listed on this site.
Her name is Mary Augusta (They called her Gussie) Bena. She was born Feb 15 1867 in Goodman McDonald County MO and died Feb 11 1946 in Goodman McDonald County MO. She married George Franklin Williams who was born in 1868 and died in 1949. They had children: Myrtal Williams, Fred Adolphus Williams, Agnis Williams, Lois Williams, Gladdis Williams, Ruby D. Williams, Marie Williams, Lyda Williams, and Beulah Williams. Fred Adolphus was my paternal grandfather.
They were married Apr.17, 1864 in Scott, MO- He was born in Alcase-Loraine, France. His parents, Joseph and Mary Bena immigrated from France between 1845-1860- The following information is Ref: "Albert Rice Chapman (1866-1948) and His Descendants",1993- by Toni Martinazzi. He served in the Civil war in Co B of Missouri Cavalry-was injured at Pea Pack Ridge, AR. He became ill and went home. Since he was absent when the war was over he was declared AWOL.
He was a local physician and also involved in mining for gold and silver in Splitlog, McDonald Co.,MO area. He gave up when mineshaft reached 90 feet.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community.
Taken from "History of McDonald County, MO- by Judge J.A. Sturges, 1897
About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of
a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community. About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands. It is claimed that the Philadelphia company paid $15,000 for the south half of section 9, township 23, range 33, a particularly barren and worthless tract of land. Confident of ultimate success, and that the city which bore his name would soon be the center of a rich mining district, Splitlog conceived the idea of building a railroad to his mines. A company was formed, a charter procured and the road built and equipped from Joplin to Splitlog, the old Indian furnishing most of the money. In the mean time he had sold a tract of land near Wyandott, Kansas, for $170,000, and most of this he had invested in his "great project." By this time it had been fully demonstrated that the mines were worthless; the rich quartz was just common McDonald county rock, and a poor quality at that.
Additional info kindly provided by Contributor Rhonda Williams Wyrsch.
I just wanted to add that Sataurnin and Mariah "Marie" Taylor Bena had a daughter that is not listed on this site.
Her name is Mary Augusta (They called her Gussie) Bena. She was born Feb 15 1867 in Goodman McDonald County MO and died Feb 11 1946 in Goodman McDonald County MO. She married George Franklin Williams who was born in 1868 and died in 1949. They had children: Myrtal Williams, Fred Adolphus Williams, Agnis Williams, Lois Williams, Gladdis Williams, Ruby D. Williams, Marie Williams, Lyda Williams, and Beulah Williams. Fred Adolphus was my paternal grandfather.
He was a local physician and also involved in mining for gold and silver in Splitlog, McDonald Co.,MO area. He gave up when mineshaft reached 90 feet.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community.
Taken from "History of McDonald County, MO- by Judge J.A. Sturges, 1897
About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands.McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of
a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community. About 1880 Dr. Benna [Berna?], an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in
some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies
of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five
years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed on his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assays continued to be favorable and the excitement spread. The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St. Louis Company took leases or purchased lands. It is claimed that the Philadelphia company paid $15,000 for the south half of section 9, township 23, range 33, a particularly barren and worthless tract of land. Confident of ultimate success, and that the city which bore his name would soon be the center of a rich mining district, Splitlog conceived the idea of building a railroad to his mines. A company was formed, a charter procured and the road built and equipped from Joplin to Splitlog, the old Indian furnishing most of the money. In the mean time he had sold a tract of land near Wyandott, Kansas, for $170,000, and most of this he had invested in his "great project." By this time it had been fully demonstrated that the mines were worthless; the rich quartz was just common McDonald county rock, and a poor quality at that.
Additional info kindly provided by Contributor Rhonda Williams Wyrsch.
I just wanted to add that Sataurnin and Mariah "Marie" Taylor Bena had a daughter that is not listed on this site.
Her name is Mary Augusta (They called her Gussie) Bena. She was born Feb 15 1867 in Goodman McDonald County MO and died Feb 11 1946 in Goodman McDonald County MO. She married George Franklin Williams who was born in 1868 and died in 1949. They had children: Myrtal Williams, Fred Adolphus Williams, Agnis Williams, Lois Williams, Gladdis Williams, Ruby D. Williams, Marie Williams, Lyda Williams, and Beulah Williams. Fred Adolphus was my paternal grandfather.
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