GRIFFITH, William Benson 1853-1904

GRIFFITH, KINGSBURY, LANTZ, HUGHES, REMINGTON, HARDIMAN

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/2/2015 at 18:46:29

William Benson Griffith

Birth: January 8, 1853
Elk Lick Township, Somerset County
Pennsylvania

Death: February 3, 1904
Waterloo,
Black Hawk County,
Iowa

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Note: The following is a redacted version of the
original, long, newspaper article.

DIED IN CELL AT JAIL

Benson Griffith Passed Away at Police Headquarters
at Early Hour This Morning.

Benson W. Griffith, aged 51, died in a cell at police headquarters shortly after 2 o'clock this morning. The circumstances surrounding the man's death are peculiar in many respects.

Edward Stowell, who, according to his own statement, was in the company of Griffith after 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, tells a conflicting story of their adventures during the evening.

When discovered lying face downward in the snow a short distance from the Illinois Central coal chutes at 11 o'clock last night. Griffith's hands were both frozen nearly stiff, and the left side of his face was quite badly frozen. His nose and ears also showed signs of severe exposure to the cold wind which began blowing late in the evening.

The story which Stowell tells regarding the exposure to which Griffith was subjected is given little credence by the authorities. They claim Stowell was too drunk at the time to clearly understand his surroundings, and claim further that he does not tell the truth under all circumstances.

Griffith has been in the employ of W. W. Whitenack, proprietor of a local coal and wood yard, for the past three years. He was employed as a day laborer in the capacity of teamster. According to information from that office, Griffith has sometimes appeared for work acting slightly under the influence of liquor.

Yesterday afternoon Griffith was temporarily discharged from his duties and allegedly went home, where he secured a cutter and horse and started out for a drive. He picked up Stowell and the two commenced on a cutter ride, which proved deadly for Griffith.

The ride, according to Stowell, was around the business part of the city. They stopped at a saloon where we each bought a glass of beer. Then we bought a pint of whiskey and a half pint of brandy. Someone suggested we mix the stuff together. We then started home in the cutter. While we were driving near the coal chutes, Griffith suddenly pitched forward out of the sleigh and onto the ground.

Someone came along, Stowell said, and moved him to a restaurant. I was then arrested and brought here.

Griffith's cold, still body lay in a cell directly opposite Stowell while he told his story to the Daily Reporter representative.

WHAT POLICE THINK

Local authorities thought Stowell's story was wholly improbable and generally untrue.

Griffith had been on a police "black list" -- warning against selling him liquor. At the request of his family, his name was removed from that list. He was never considered especially a vicious character, but is known to have had trouble with his family at various times.

A police officer arrested Stowell for being drunk. The officer then received a call saying there was another drunk at the Eureka restaurant, and would someone pick him up.

The officer found Griffith. A physical had been called and, the officer added, "noticed that the fellow was badly frozen. We got him in a rig and took him to the station at once."

PHYSICIAN AT WORK

"After placing Griffith in a cell and making him as comfortable as possible a physician was set at work and exerted every effort to revive the unconscious man. He probably reached the station about 11:30 and died shortly after 2 this morning. He never regained consciousness."

According to the two men that found Griffith and Stowell near the coal chutes, the former was lying on the ground with his face in the snow. Stowell was standing up by the side of the cutter.

MRS. GRIFFITH TALKS

Mrs. W. B. Griffith, widow of the unfortunate man, was interviewed by the Daily Reporter.

With a 3-year old child clasped tightly to her bosom and with tears streaming down her face, talked to the reporter about her husband's past life; With five children clustered around her, in the little home at 317 Douglas street, only a few blocks from where her husband was frozen.

MY HUSBAND WAS A HARD WORKING MAN

and would have been employed by Mr. Whitenack for four years, had he worked a week longer. He made a good husband and a kind and considered father. He supported the family to the best of his ability.

BIOGRAPHY OF DECEASED

William Benson Griffith was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1853, and lived there until 11 years of age. At that time he came to Iowa and has resided in this state since, with the exception of a short period spent in the west. When a young man he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kingsbury, who is now dead. To them were born two children, Mrs. Frank Austin and Frank Griffith, both of whom reside in this city.

Thirteen years ago he was united in marriage to Sarah Lantz, who survives him. To them were born five children, two of whom preceded their father to the grave. Those who survive are Nora, aged 12 years; cora, aged 9 years; and Dorothea, aged eight years.

Mrs. Emma Griffith, mother of the late W. B. Griffith of Waterloo and by three sisters; they are: Mrs. Mary Hughes of New Hartford; Mrs. Frank Smith of Schuyler, Nebraska; and Mrs. Lydia Remington of Waupaca, Wisconsin. A half brother, Dan Hardiman, lives in South Dakota.

Deceased was a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America and carried a $1,000 insurance policy in that order.

The funeral will be held next Friday afternoon. Interment will be made in Fairview Cemetery.

Source: Semi-Weekly Iowa State Reporter, Friday, February 5, 1904, Waterloo, Iowa. [Redacted]