Tag: William Woods

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Edson Benjamin: “A Cowardly Murder,” Part 2

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Edson Benjamin: "A Cowardly Murder"
"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Image. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Image. Public Domain.

The story of Edson V. Benjamin’s murder continues in the Portland, Oregon newspaper- even back in 1901, the old journalist’s maxim, “If it bleeds, let it lead” was in force, as it is still today- we just have so many more media outlets.

Sadly, there is no picture of Edson Benjamin that I could find- that would have been the least they could do to honor him.

This article is not transcribed- please click to enlarge all the sections from the paper if needed.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 1. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 1. Public Domain.

Circumstantial evidence seems to abound here, and be taken as truth in the Wild West of Oregon, even as late as the early 1900s.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 2. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 2. Public Domain.

Poor Mrs. Nellie Brown- she was a young woman, already divorced once and having to deal with domestic violence with her fiancé Jim Green, which worsened once they broke up. “Marked as an object of assassination…”- what horrible words. It is so sad that in our country and around the world today, women still sometimes fear for their life even though they have loved the person.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 3. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 3. Public Domain.

Poor Edson- loggers are tough guys, but to have to deal with Jim Green’s behavior- well, that shows the character of the man when Edson gave his would-be-killer-at-the-time his hand to help him up after a fall.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 4. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 4. Public Domain.

It almost sounds like high school jealousy drama, but sadly was real life in 1901.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 5. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 5. Public Domain.

How gruesome- Edson’s body still lying where he fell. There is no mention of his wife until the trial- wonder if she rushed to stay beside him while those ‘in charge’ were trying to decide what to do.

"Points to Green," The Morning Oregonian,(Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 6. Public Domain.
“Points to Green,” The Morning Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon) March 26, 1901, Volume 41, Number 12,569, Page 4, Columns 1-3, Part 6. Public Domain.

 

The saga continues tomorrow…

 

Notes, Sources, and References:

1) Historic Oregon Newspapers:

The Morning Oregonian, March 26, 1901, Vol, c1-3http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83025138/1901-03-26/ed-1/seq-4/

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