Sad Accident.
Herman Benham Killed by the Accidental Discharge of his Gun.

Our citizens received a terrible shock on Thursday afternoon last, when the news was brought to the city that Herman Benham, the promising son of Dr. W. I. Benham, of this county, had met his death by the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting.

He had made an engagement with Mr. Eugene Mumford to go hunting on the day mentioned and left home about noon for Mr. Mumford’s house, accompanied by his dog.  Arriving there he found Mr. M. not at home and went on in the direction of the mill, perhaps thinking he would find him there.  A short time afterwards Mr. Mumford came home and learning that Herman had called, proceeded after him in the direction of the mill.  He had gone a short distance when he saw Herman’s dog in a field near by standing still, which excited his curiosity, and on arriving at the spot, found the dead body of Herman Benham with a ghastly wound in his breast.

The gun used by Herman was an old one, and not in proper repair, there being some derangement of the hammer, and it is presumed that he had fired one barrel, and was reloading when the remaining barrel went off, the charge entering his right breast.

Thus was a family plunged suddenly into inexpressible and agonizing distress.  Herman was about sixteen years of age, and all the fond expectations and ambitious hopes of father, mother, and doting sisters were centered on him, and being an unusually intelligent youth, a bright future was anticipated for him.  He was a young man of generous and noble purposes and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.  His death has removed from this community, just on the threshold of manhood, one of its noblest youths, and has caused feelings of profound sorrow in the hearts of his numerous friends.