Killed by Chas. W. Benner' While Maddened With Drink-—
'His Victim a Popular and Useful Cltizen of
Washington County, Hagerstown, Md., June 7—Chas. W. Adams,
superintendent of the Antietem Battlefield, and one of the" best
citizens 'in Washington, county, was shot and kiled in Sharpsburg
yesterday mornrng about 9 o'clock by Charles W. Benner, also of ,Sharpsburg. Soon after the tragedy Benner
shot himself at home, dying instantly.The double tragedy threw the
whole neighborhood into the greatest excitement.
Charles Goss, who was working in a field nearby where the shooting occurred, saw the occurence and Har
Harvey Dorsey, son of Charles Dorsey was sent immediately to the office of
Dr E. M. Garrott, son In law of Mr. Adams. The injured man was removed to
his home. It was, however, seen at once that nothing could be done for him but make
him as comfortable as possible. Mr. Adams lingered until 11 o'clock, when he expired.
Reports differ as to the number of times Mr. Adams waa shot by Benner.
One report says that he was pierced at least nine times by balls from the revolver,
the assassin reloading the weapon and resuming the shooting. A number of the bullets
entered-hls stomach, one his arm, another his cheek. No effort was made to extract any of
the balls. Blood gushed from his wounds. Benner and Mr. Adams met on the road in the suburbs
of Sharpsburg Mr. Adams was engaged looking -after some work "being' 'done on the Antletem
Battlefield. The shooting is said to have been result of an old grudge which Benner held toward
Mr. Adams. - Benner was at first at large. On going to Benner's house, Constable Reynolds found
him dead in his summer house with a bullet hole above the eye. He had evidently died instantly.
Benner was 60 years of age and leaves a wife and one son 11 yrs of age. Not only has Sharpsburg
and vincinity been shrouded in gloom, but the whole of Washington County.
Mr., Adams, as superintendent of the battefleld, was having some gates Erected, and was
on his way to the place.Information from Sharpsburg states
.Benner was a man who, appeared to have a grudge against old soldiers and Mr. Adams
was a Captain in the Civil War. Benner, it is reported, 'was three or four years ago shot in
the arm by a man .who was an old soldier for molestation on Benner's part.
Mr. Adams was born at Smlthsburg Nov.-22, 1842, and was a. son of William and Ann M. (Staley)
Adams. 'in 1862, he enlisted in a battery of light infantry, known as Alexander's Battery,
He was wounded In the battle of Winchester, June 13, 1863. at the beginning of the movement
that resulted in the Invasion, of Maryland and Pennsylvania and culminated in the
battle of Gettysburg. His wound was a severe one and he was captured by the enemy.
While in the hospltal at Winchester he was paroled and sent to the general hospital at Baltimore.
After his discharge from the hospital he was detailed for clerical duty in the Adjutant Generals
office in Washington where he completed his term of enlistment.
In 1878 he was appointed tax collector of Washington county and was reappolnted In 1880.
During the four years that he held this position he earned a reputation for business ability.