Volume 15 , Issue 24

1941 Shooting of Donald Lee Benson (1919-1941)

Marian Hatcher sent us a copy of the 1941 Wichita Beacon news article that appeared around December, 1941. It shows a photograph of Sheriff Ken Greer and his prisoner, Kenneth Root. It also gives updates on Benson's Condition.

The article mentioned that Benson's condition slightly improved as bullet was removed. It also mentioned Root's reasoning behind the shooting of Benson. The newspaper reported Kenneth Root as an "irate youth," who told county attorney, Bill Gruber, why he planned to kill his girlfriend's brother.

As to the condition of Donald Benson, who was 22 years of age, and a mill worker, shot in the stomach by Kenneth Root over Benson's sister, was reported on the day of the article as slightly improved, Saturday night, although still critical.

Everyone in Northwest Oklahoma should remember Dr. C. A. Traverse, who was the attending physician. Dr. Traverse removed the 32 caliber bullet from the wounded man, Donald Benson. There was also a signed statement made by Root to County Attorney Bill Gruber, admitting the shooting and the intention of killing the brother of the girl that Root cared for. Disregarding consequences which Root admitted he realized, he went to the Rose Hill school house Wednesday night with his father's Colt pistol loaded with two bullets with the determination to get Benson. Root also gave his reasons for his act in the statement.

Why did Root Run?

When Gruber asked Root why he ran after shooting Benson when he didn't seem to care what the consequences would be for killing a man, the 17 year old youth said, "If you ever shoot a man, You'll run." County Attorney Gruber reported that no new developments in the . . . . . (there the news clipping dropped off and was unreadable from that point.

In another clipping it continued with the following, "Roots testified that he remembered saying, after the shooting, 'Why in hell don't you laugh now, Donald?' but he said he couldn't remember pulling the gun, or riding away."

In the confusion, which was signed by Roots, County Attorney Gruber pointed out that the youth told in detail how he went to the school house that night, "with a pistol loaded with two bullets, to kill Donald Benson."

"When the defense is weak," Gruber said, "they jump on to the public officers. The sheriff's officers, nor the county attorney, nor the dead Donald Benson are on trial here."

At the close of Gruber's argument, the case was turned to the jury and Judge Bird gave them final instructions, and the group of men retired to have lunch and then go to the jury room to deliberate.

Benson's (continued from page 1)

Another article about the shooting and trial begins, "Try to get Root out of the county jail on a writ of habeas corpus.

"A third blood transfusion was administered to Benson at the Achenbach Memorial hospital in Hardtner (Kansas), where he is being treated for the wound. The improvement shown in Benson's condition is encouraging, according to Dr. Traverse. The physician said that if Benson's condition shows as much improvement over Sunday as it has improved Friday night and Saturday, there was a good chance he will recover.

"The fine physical condition of the boy and his youth has been much in his favor," Dr. Traverse said. Barring peritonitis or some other unforeseen complication, Benson's chances for recovery are better than fair. "Of course." Dr. Traverse said, "in a case like this anything might happen suddenly."

Officers have advised Benson's sister, Miss Eva Joan Benson, over whom the dispute between the two boys began, not to see Root at present, although she asked permission to visit him (Kenneth Root) in the jail here.

Turner Asked To Pardon Roots

There was a short blurp about Governor Roy J. Turner being asked to grant a parole for George Roots, 25, who is serving life. We believe this article is eight years later (1949) and that George Root is the same as Kenneth Root.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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