[Newspaper]
Publication: The Muncie Morning Star
Muncie, IN, United States
vol. 27, no. 342, p. 1, col. 3
BENHAM ARRESTED
ON TWO CHARGES
Accused of Stealing $16,000
Belonging to Garment Company
Which He Managed.
FORGED NOTE ALSO CITED
Defendant Is Said to Have
Discounted Bogus Paper for
the Sum of $3,200.
George C. Benham, until a few days ago secretary and general manager of the Muncie Garment company, stands accused before the law, of having obtained money under false pretenses in the sum of $3,200, and of grand larceny in that he misappropriated the concern’s funds to the extent of $16,000. The charges were preferred yesterday by J. H. Smith, president of the company, who is being backed actively in the action by his partner. Beecher W. Bennett, and also in a tentative manner by T. F. Rose, who has art interest in the company amounting to $5,000. As explained in the Star yesterday morning, Benham was detained at the union station Wednesday night, by policemen, who had been detailed to shadow him. It was was suspected that Benham was planning to leave the city and, when the officers saw him at the depot, they at once surmised that this was his purpose. When taken into custody, Benham disclaimed any such intention saying he was there solely on the mission to see his brother away on the last westbound train. Notwithstanding the protest, Benham was, escorted to police headquarters and detained there nil night and until yesterday afternoon, when formal charges were preferred against him. He was released on bond in the sum of $2,500, furnished by Ralph Hemingray.
HENRY SPAAN ENGAGED.
Benham has engaged as his counsel Henry Spaan, of Indianapolis, one of the most prominent criminal attorneys in the middle west. Mr. Spaan figured as one of the leading prosecuting attorneys in the famous Gillespie case at Rising Sun. Years ago at Indianapolis he attracted widespread attention by the masterly manner in which he conducted the defense of Anna Wagner, a young country woman, who was accused of poisoning, fatally, several members of a family in the capital city, in which she was employed. She was acquitted. Benham’s preliminary hearing was set for April 18 in city court before Judge Gass. He has entered no plea and it is not yet indicated whether he will make any before the time fixed for his appearance in court.
THE FIRST COUNT.
The first count marked against Benham avers the forging of a note against a clothing firm in another city calling for the sum of $3,200. Benham also forged and had printed at a local job printing office, it is said the letterheads of this firm and forged on this paper a letter purporting to be from the company, stating that the company owed the garment company the above sum, and asking for further time. The company was further made to appear to tender a note for the amount of the indebtedness payable in a short time. This note was discounted, so it is alleged, Benham getting the money. It is said that similar charges could be brought against Benham under about ten or twelve additional such instances, and that charges will be filed on their account if the prosecution fails to secure conviction under the accusations now brought.
An investigation of the garment company’s accounts, which has been as thorough as the time will permit, is said to have revealed the fact, so the charges affirm in the second count, that the sum of $16,000 is missing and unaccounted for. The sweeping allegation is made in this count. That Benham is guilty of stealing this amount of money.
BENHAM CALM AND COOL.
Benham is not talking for publication, and maintains a composure that is remarkable, considering the gravity of the situation, and the severe penalty that will he imposed in the event of his conviction. If found guilty, he will have before him a term of years in the Indiana penitentiary at Michigan City. An intimate friend of the defendant made the statement yesterday that Benham expressed confidence in his ability to "come out of this muss all right." Benham is of a most gracious and courteous disposition and, though it is apparent that he is troubled some by the present turn of affairs, still he takes matters coolly and appears to be as calm and collected as any of the officials and attorneys connected In the case with him.