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THE OBITUARY OFLt. Charles Benton |
Lt. Charles Benton
Lt. CHARLES BENTON, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Benton, was killed in an automobile accident at Gettysburg, PA, late Thursday. A telegram conveying the sad news was received by the family early today. No particulars were given. Lt. Benton was recently transferred from Leon Springs, Texas, where he had taken training in the officers' camp, and had received a commission as second lieutenant. On his way east he visited his parents and sisters here. He went from here to Gettysburg, where he was assigned to the tank corps.
Benton was a graduate of the high school and spent three years at the University in Iowa city. He enlisted June 17, 1917, with the Company B. engineers, going with that organization to Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico. Later he entered the third officers' training school and upon completion of the course was awarded a second lieutenancy. Lieutenant Benton was 22 years of age.
He leaves besides his parents, two sisters, Mrs. H.W. Hicks and Mrs. Jere Van Rensslaer. The body will be brought home for burial, but the time of arrival and funeral arrangements are not yet known.
Advices
Definite advices as to the arrival of the body of Lieutenant Charles E. Benton, who was killed in an automobile accident at Camp Colt on Decoration Day, had not been received Saturday afternoon, but word was expected from the camp at any time.
Advices from Gettysburg give some details of the accident. Lieutenant Benton was killed when an automobile, which he was driving, crashed into a fence near York, PA. Lieutenant Benton, in company with a young lady friend, was returning from a holiday baseball game, over the Lincoln Highway, when the accident occurred. A densely foggy night and poor lights made driving difficult, and at a sharp turn their car crashed into the highway fence. A portion of the broken steering gear crushed his skull, causing almost instant death. The young woman with him escaped uninjured.
Funeral
A military funeral will be accorded Lieutenant Charles Edward Benton, who was killed in an automobile accident at camp Colt, Gettysburg, PA, on Memorial Day.
Services will be held at the home, 809 Fourth Avenue, Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. E.H. Jenks of Omaha officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
The body will arrive in the city Monday, accompanied by Lieutenant Prior.