****************** The Daily News Batavia, Genesee County, New York State August 3-1897 Letter from Dr. Richmond. He Says there was No Positive Proof that Mrs. Benham was Murdered. The 'News' has received a letter from the Hon. A.B. RICHMOND of Meadville, Pa., dated August 2d, in which it is said: "Your telegram asking me to wire you my opinion of the verdict in the Howard C. BENHAM case came while I was absent from home. The newspapers have reported me as saying and doing so many things I did not say or do that I hesitate to answer you; yet Justice seems to require it. If the verdict against Howard C. BENHAM is executed I believe that a judicial murder will be perpetrated in Genesee county for this reason: There was absolutely no positive proof that Mrs. BENHAM was murdered. If it is true that traces of prussic acid were found in her body it may be accounted for consistent with his innocence. Perhaps it ought not to be stated publicly for fear that it may injure the sensitive feelings of a most virtuous public which has never transgressed the seventh commandment; but in my opinion it should now be secret no longer." Dr. RICHMOND advances the theory that Mrs. BENHAM had become infected with the same disease from which her husband was suffering and at his suggestion was also using prussic acid in the treatment of it. Some of the acid, Dr. RICHMOND believes, found its way through the unnatural opening which was caused by the injuries sustained by Mrs. BENHAM at the time of the birth of her child, and was taken up by absorption and carried into the blood. The presence of poison in the brain and elsewhere, he says, may be scientifically and rationally accounted for in this manner. The fact that pus was found in the pelvic organs was conclusive evidence that Mrs. BENHAM had become infected. This, Dr. RICHMOND says, should have been the line of defense. Dr. RICHMOND continues: "And I repeat that this theory of the defense would explain all the inculpatory circumstantial evidence consistent with Mr. BENHAM's innocence of the murder. Should this case be tried again, with BENHAM on the witness stand to explain, and the other corroborative evidence which could be produced, I do not believe a conviction could occur under the rules of law; and these facts properly set forth and sustained by affidavits ought to secure his pardon. "You can publish this if you think the well known modesty of a virtuous public will approve it. I am constrained to write this upon a sincere belief in the innocence of Howard C. BENHAM of criminal intent, and an earnest belief that the county of Genesee--if BENHAM is executed--will commit the greatest of all crimes--a judicial murder." * * That Terrible Example. It was all a mistake. It is settled now and everybody is right. Doctors and the Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction are agreed that a little less than 3 1/2 quarts is the correct amount of the prussic-acid solution testified to on the BENHAM trial. The difficulty has been that some have figured on a one-three-hundredths solution and others on a three-one-hundredths solution was testified to. * * Martin Case Adjourned Again. The examination of W. Samuel MARTIN, the Alabama farmer charged with the crime of embracery in connection with the BENHAM trial, was adjourned by consent of counsel, in Justice DUNHAM's court today, until Saturday, September 18th. The prosecution was represented by David D. LENT, District-Attorney Le SEUR's law partner. The Hon. George BOWEN appeared for MARTIN. * * Died in North Dakota. Sudden Death of Mrs. George Drenkell, Formerly of West Bethany Yesterday's mail brought the sad intelligence to Mr. and Mrs. A.G. SMITH of the sudden death of their daughter, Mrs. Virginia DRENKELL of Gladstone, N.D. It seemed an overwhelming blow to them, as well as to other immediate kindred friends, as all were looking forward to her coming to the old home for a long visit in a few short weeks, hoping that the change of air and scenes and home nursing would restore her strength and eventually her impaired health. She had been in a decline the past year an her physician thought the change would do her more good than medicine, as her disease was of the lungs. Some time ago she had a slight hemorrhage, but she seemed to have recovered from its effects and was able to take daily rides and short walks. The thought of coming to her parents and the old home seemed to imbue her with new life and strength for the journey, but, alas, for the fond hopes, she was taken with a severe hemorrhage, which she survived only a couple of days. Virginia E. SMITH was married in 1879, to George DRENKELL of Oneida, Ill., to which place they removed soon after, and have made the West their home ever since, where she had gained a host of friends by her pure Christian life. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. She leaves a husband and five children, besides her parents, a sister and two brothers. * * Mrs. Morris Holloran of Batavia. Mrs. Carolina HOLLORAN, wife of Morris HOLLORAN, died at her home on the Bushville road this morning at 7:30 o'clock from dropsy, aged 65 years. She was the mother of Mrs. William KEENAN of Caledonia, Mrs. George JOSLYN of Byron, Mary, George, and Morris J. HOLLORAN of Batavia and John F. HOLLORAN of Rochester. The funeral will be held from St. Joseph's church on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. * * Burial of James Cooper. Upton Post, G.A.R., in a body and in full uniform, marched to the Batavia cemetery at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and awaited at the grave the arrival of the body of James COOPER, who was killed Saturday night at the Central's East Main street crossing. The funeral was held from the house this afternoon at 2 o'clock, the bearers all being G.A.R. men. They were James CONWAY, A.G. NEGUS, J. STAVELY, Thomas TAYLOR, WIlliam FARNSWORTH, and Patrick WELCH. The services at the grave were conducted by the Post. The salute by the gun squad was omitted. * * "Quality" is our "Watch Word" and it matters not whether it is the drugs and chemicals you use, or the toilet articles you need, we have the Quality at the right price. Jewell's Pharmacy [Adv.] * * Azalea Rose Japan Tea Finest Grown. Finest Flavor. Free from coloring. Has no equal. A tonic for the nerves. Has passed highest inspection. Recommended by all leading chemists as being the purest Tea grown. Beware of cheap teas. For sale by Skelley & Russell. [Adv.] submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************