MRS. BERRY BENSON, Died Last Night After A Lingering For A Week.
After a heroic battle for life, which the consulting physicians have declared hopeless for several days past, Mrs. Berry Benson died last night at her home on lower Bay Street, surrounded by those who were nearest and dearest to her. Mrs. Benson had been ill for several weeks with nervous prostration, and recently developed serious complications from acute indigestion. In response to telegraphic summons Mr. Berry Benson arrived from Washington City last Wednesday morning, and Mrs. Benson's death has been apprehended almost hourly since. She died at a quarter to 11 o'clock. The death of Mrs. Benson breaks a family circle of the closest intimacy, love and confidence. To a rare degree were they all bound together, and the devoted mother was the idolized centre of the affectionate group. One of the distressing circumstances of her last illness was the absence of her son, Charles, who is a non-commissioned officer in the 28th regiment of United States volunteers in the Philippines, and to whom the sad news will be a severe shock when he learns of his deep bereavement.
Mrs. Benson was devoted wife and mother, and was to an unusual degree the companion of her children, entering with enthusiasm into the their ambitions, their plans and their hopes and with loving sympathy dispelling their misgivings and disappointments. Her life was one of gentleness and self sacrifice, and her spirit was of the finest fibre of womanliness, cultured, artistic and poetic. In the midday of domestic cares and the exactions of a busy and useful life she found time to keep acquainted with the best literature and to write some exquisite verses that were published from time to time in the New Orleans Times-Democrat and other journals of discriminating literary merit.
Mrs. Benson was a devoted member of the first Christian church and was an active worker in its women's aid and missionary societies. Her funeral will take place from this church at five o'clock this afternoon and will be conducted by Rev. James B. Lamar, for many years her pastor, assisted by Rev. A.B. Phillips. She is survived by her husband, two sons, Arthur and Charles, and four daughters, Misses Jeanie, Olive and Pauline, and Mrs. Carlos Williams, who have the sympathy of the entire community.
Note: Jeanie was the daughter of Maj. S.H. Oliver.
