Died in custody
Sam Benton
Sam Benton died in December 1876 near Lowndesville in Abbeville County, South Carolina. A jury in his case returned a unanimous verdict, as reported by a Columbia dispatch, that he took laudanum himself after receiving it from his brother. Officials said the other men taken into custody near Lowndesville were later safe in jail, and rumors that they had been lynched were reported as unconfirmed.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose. A jury returned a unanimous verdict that he took laudanum himself after receiving it from his brother.
Reported by: jury in his case; Columbia dispatch (reporters).