born ca 1855
Benjamin Lawrence (176294155)
Suggested edit: Courier-Journal
March 3, 1888
Page 1
MET HIS FATHER’S FATE!
…….
Benjamin Lawrence Shot and Almost Instantly Killed by
B. T. Gividen
……
A Quarrel Over a Small Debt Leads to a Struggle and the Tragedy
……..
The Slayer Claims Self Defense and is
Confident that He will be Acquitted!
……
Violent Death of a Prominent Turf man
Recalled by the Similar Fate of His Son!
….
END OF A LIFE LIVED IN VAIN!
………
B. T. Gividen
“Officer, I want to surrender myself. I have just killed a man upstairs. He tried to shoot me and I could not help it.”
These words were spoken by B. T Gividen to Officer DeForrester, who was standing on the northeast corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets, at a quarter past 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Gividen held a large size thirty-eight caliber Smith & Wesson improved pistol, which he handed to the officer. He would make no explanation, and was taken to jail, where he was registered with the ominous charge of murder against his name.
Shortly after 5 o’clock, when both sides of Fourth Avenue presented a crowded and lively appearance with persons hurrying home from their daily toil, a human life was fast ebbing away and half an hour afterwards Benjamin H. Lawrence, a young man widely known, was lying dead in Room 5 of the block at 347 Fourth Avenue, the ground floor of which is occupied by Wanamaker & Brown.
When the officers reached the building they were shown to the office of B. T. Gividen, the furniture agent, in room No. 6, which is at the North end of the corridor on the second floor and overlooking the court in the rear of the building. The door was wide open and two handsome young girls, bare-headed and very much excited, were running about the hallway, wringing their hands and evidently were verging upon hysterics.
Stretched Upon the Floor
……
Lying inside the door, flat on his back across the narrow strip of carpet to deaden the foot falls of those having business in the office, was Benjamin H. Lawrence. He was weltering in his own blood, and the dark red fluid had spread out from under his head and had formed little pools on the figures of the bright red carpet which covered the floor. His black Derby hat was still upon his head but was crushed into an almost shapeless mass. Near him was lying a walking cane. The man was still alive but was breathing heavily and was unconscious.
The officers and a crowd of curious men who had pushed by them into the apartment raised the wounded man’s head and rested it on a pillow on the back of an inverted camp chair. He was allowed to lie where he had fallen. Mr. Nick Lapp, a clerk in the drug store under the building heard the single pistol shot, and was one of the first to arrive. He procured some cotton ad bandages and cleaned the wound of the clotted blood and brains, which had oozed out of a pistol ball wound in the back of the head about three inches above the left nape of the neck.
Dr. Frank P. Corrigan was hastily brought from his office. He examined the wound, pronounced it fatal and administered some stimulants, but half an hour ater the shot had been fired a call for Coroner Miller was sent over the telephone wires, and Gividen’ s victim was dead.
The Dead Man
……
The killing was sudden and unexpected, and occurred before the horror-stricken girls, who are the only witnesses, could realize what was happening. Mr. Gividen is the Eastern and Southern agent for John Shrader’ s wholesale furniture house and his office is in this city.
From the facts obtainable it appears that Gividen was indebted to B. H. Lawrence, of the Enterprise Vinnegar Works, at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, in the sum of $5. It is said that Lawrence made frequent attempts to collect the bill, and on account of his persistency some feeling existed between him and Gividen. Thursday afternoon Gividen drew up a check on his bank for the amount of the bill and gave it to Lawrence. At the bank yesterday morning, for some reason or other, the check was not paid, and at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon Lawrence, who had come up to the city, went into Gividen’ s office to see about the matter.
Beginning of the Quarrel
……….
Gividen was seated in a revolving chair engaged in writing a letter when Lawrence entered the office. Miss Leona Johnston, of 920 Sixth Street, and Miss Nettie Newhill*, living at 2c53 Portland Avenue, two stenographers and type writers employed by Gividen were at work on their machines just behind him. Lawrence appeared to have been drinking and carried in his hand a medium sized walking cane. He and Gividen got into a dispute over the alleged debt, and their quarrel was loud and violent. Finally the lie was passed and Lawrence’s cane descended on the side of Gividen’ s head. The latter sprang from his chair and the two men grappled and struggled violently about the room. The carpet strip was disarranged and torn up, and then the furniture in the room was pushed about while the struggle was going on.
The young ladies were much excited and had commenced to scream. By this time the men had almost arrived at the door. There was a desperate attempt made by each of the men, they paused, broke apart, a pistol gleamed, a short rang out, and Lawrence fell to the floor. Not a word had been spoken while the struggle was in progress and it was over almost in an instant.
Said He was compelled to do it
…….
But one shot was fired, and with the smoking pistol in his hand Gividen turned to the young ladies, and said he was compelled to shoot the man.
Lawrence after striking him with the cane had drawn his pistol, and the struggle between the men was for the possession of the weapon Finally Gividen had gotten his right hand on the trigger guard of the pistol, and with a desperate exertion of his strength and wrested the weapon for Lawrence’s grasp. The exertion had almost thrown Lawrence from his feet, and as he staggered up and with the back of his head half turned toward him, Gividen fired. The men were at this time not more than four feet apart, and as Gividen’ s shot rang out, Lawrence fell heavily to the floor, striking his head against a handsome oak bedstead which was displayed in the office. The two girls ran screaming from the room and Gividen, showing but little trace of excitement, walked down the steps and approaching Officer De Forrester surrendered himself and was taken to the jail.
General Appearance of the Room
…..
By the time it became generally known that a crime had been committed in the building, and an eager and curious crowd quickly gathered bout the street entrance. People hurrying by on the sidewalks were attracted by the gathering and stopped long enough to make inquiries concerning the affair. A number of men followed Dr. Corrigan up into the office, among them being Mr. Henry W. Gray, the insurance agent, an uncle of Lawrence and Bob Gray, the young man’s first cousin. Lawrence never spoke and never regained consciousness, and at 4:45 o’clock Dr. Corrigan pronounced him dead.
Only the ticking of the Clock
……
When Coroner Miller arrived the dead man’s positon on the floor was unchanged. A group of quiet men stood near the dead man, while officer Kenehan* stood guard at the room. The only sound noticeable was the nose made by a little swinging clock which ticked away merrily in the window behind the desk. The room is a very large one, and was used by Gividen as an office an sample room Sets of fine hardwood, oak and walnut furniture were arranged around the walls and in the corners of the room. Near the northwest corner was Gividen’ s desk and chair, and just behind that was the table at which the typewriters were employed when their work was interfered with by the struggle between the men. To the south of the main apartment was a smaller chamber, occupied by Gividen as a sleeping apartment. It was separated from the outer room by a heavy curtain, hanging for a brass rod and rings over the door.
The Coroner’s Examination
……
The dead man was first examined by Coroner Miller. The body was dressed in a neat brown striped suit of clothes, and the overcoat had not been removed. The right arm was under the body, and the falling of the jaw was prevented by a band of cotton around the face. Dr. Miller probed the wound and searched the pockets of the corpse. A number of business cards, a knife, some letters and papers were found, and $58.95 in bills and change was taken charge of by Coroner Miller.
………..
A jury was impaneled on the spot, and William Pfeiffer, George Gay, james Anderson, W. H. Hatch, Mark Sales and W. H. parsons viewed the remains with the Coroner and were shown the wound, and its nature was explained by Coroner Miller. The members of the jury were then recognized for Monday evening at 3 o’clock, when the inquest will be held at King’s undertaking establishment.
The remains were removed to King’s, and at 8 o’clock Coroner Miller removed the scalp and made his post mortem. The bullet was found embedded in the brain. Its course was upwards, and when shot, Lawrence must have been either stooping or down on the floor.
A reporter called upon Gividen at the jail, and found him sitting in the parlor surrounded by friends. When asked for a statement of the tragedy and the circumstances leading to it, he declined to say anything concerning them.
Advised Not to Talk
……
“My friends,” said he, “advise me to say nothing about the affair at this time. I do not feel like talking at all, for the excitement renders me nervous. I will give you the names of the witnesses to the whole occurrence, though, and they will tell you what happened. I can only say that I am extremely sorry the killing happened, but my conscience is clear, for I killed him to save my own life. I had a bone felon removed today, and if I could have used my left hand I might otherwise have overpowered him and avoided Lawrence’s death, but as it was I could not do except what I did and save myself for being killed.”
Ex-Lieutenant of Police Gividen called upon his brother and talked for some time. Mr. Gividen’ s friends say that Lawrence had been in several places during the day denouncing Gividen any (and?)saying he intended to “do him up.” They say that he talked loudly in Rassinier’s* saloon about going to call on Gividen and have a settlement with him, and that Lawrence tried to borrow a pistol from several persons, finally securing one at Crockford* saloon, on Jefferson street, between fourth and Fifth. Gividen has retained Mr. Aaron Kohn, and both he and his friends expressed their full belief that he will be dismissed after the examining trial.
Who Lawrence Was
…..
As soon as the shooting occurred the news was sent to Lawrence’s wife, but she did not view the lifeless body of her husband.
Ben Lawrence was one of the best known men about town. He was the son of Benjamin H. Lawrence, before the war one of the most successful turf men in Kentucky. In 1854 while the races were in progress here, Mr. Lawrence was shot and killed in the rotunda of the Galt House by Ben Jonson, a Lexington horseman, Johnson and Lawrence engaged in a quarrel over a racing bet, and the shooting was the result. Although the prosecution was vigorously pushed, Johnson was acquitted on the ground of self-defense. He left three children, two boys, Elias and Ben, and a daughter, who is now married and living in New York. The mother afterward married John Churchill, for whom the race course is called ”Churchill Downs.”
The three step-children were sent to the best schools in the country, and were given excellent educations. At the death of the mother the children inherited about $100,000 apiece. The money lasted the young men but a few years. Horse racing and gambling caused their ruin, and the two young men then became professional gamblers. Elias Lawrence is now in Chicago, where he is interested in a gambling house. Ben Lawrence dealt Faro bank here for some years, and when gambling in this city was suppressed by the Law and Order Club he was working for Waddell, on Fifth Street.
Struggling Hard for a Living
…….
Since the closing up of the gambling establishments, Lawrence had been struggling hard for a living. His wife and two small children were dependent upon him for support. He secured a position at a United States storekeeper but did not hold it for any length of time. About four months ago Lawrence obtained a small amount of money and formed a partnership with George W. Foss, Fred Casper and P. D. Logan, and started the Enterprise Vinegar Works at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, Portland. Since then he has been living with his family on Rudd avenue, between Thirty-first and thirty-second streets. He was thirty-three years of age.
Lawrence was widely connected in this city, and was related to some of Louisville’s best and most prominent citizens. Elias Lawrence, Superintendent of the Latonia Racing Association and a leading Kentucky turf man, who died within the last few months, was his uncle.
Expects to Be Released on Bail
Ben Thomas Gividen, who is charged with the killing, is from Henry County, this State, and is a brother of F. P. Gividen, the well-known ex-Lieutenant of Police. He was a drummer for furniture houses in this city, but recently secured the Eastern and Southern agency for John Shrader, manufacturer of fine goods and had built up a good furniture commission trade in this city. He is unmarried and is about thirty-five years of age. He has plenty of friends in this city, and expects to be released on bail as soon as the Corner’ s inquest can be herd.
Lawrence’s relatives last night telegraphed to his brother in Chicago and his sister in New York, and they are expected to arrive I the city tonight or tomorrow. The funeral will probably occur tomorrow afternoon. The body was kept at the undertaker’s last night, and will be taken to his late home this morning.
……..
Contributor: Vernon Purvis (49568274)
Benjamin Lawrence (176294155)
Suggested edit: Courier-Journal
March 3, 1888
Page 1
MET HIS FATHER’S FATE!
…….
Benjamin Lawrence Shot and Almost Instantly Killed by
B. T. Gividen
……
A Quarrel Over a Small Debt Leads to a Struggle and the Tragedy
……..
The Slayer Claims Self Defense and is
Confident that He will be Acquitted!
……
Violent Death of a Prominent Turf man
Recalled by the Similar Fate of His Son!
….
END OF A LIFE LIVED IN VAIN!
………
B. T. Gividen
“Officer, I want to surrender myself. I have just killed a man upstairs. He tried to shoot me and I could not help it.”
These words were spoken by B. T Gividen to Officer DeForrester, who was standing on the northeast corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets, at a quarter past 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Gividen held a large size thirty-eight caliber Smith & Wesson improved pistol, which he handed to the officer. He would make no explanation, and was taken to jail, where he was registered with the ominous charge of murder against his name.
Shortly after 5 o’clock, when both sides of Fourth Avenue presented a crowded and lively appearance with persons hurrying home from their daily toil, a human life was fast ebbing away and half an hour afterwards Benjamin H. Lawrence, a young man widely known, was lying dead in Room 5 of the block at 347 Fourth Avenue, the ground floor of which is occupied by Wanamaker & Brown.
When the officers reached the building they were shown to the office of B. T. Gividen, the furniture agent, in room No. 6, which is at the North end of the corridor on the second floor and overlooking the court in the rear of the building. The door was wide open and two handsome young girls, bare-headed and very much excited, were running about the hallway, wringing their hands and evidently were verging upon hysterics.
Stretched Upon the Floor
……
Lying inside the door, flat on his back across the narrow strip of carpet to deaden the foot falls of those having business in the office, was Benjamin H. Lawrence. He was weltering in his own blood, and the dark red fluid had spread out from under his head and had formed little pools on the figures of the bright red carpet which covered the floor. His black Derby hat was still upon his head but was crushed into an almost shapeless mass. Near him was lying a walking cane. The man was still alive but was breathing heavily and was unconscious.
The officers and a crowd of curious men who had pushed by them into the apartment raised the wounded man’s head and rested it on a pillow on the back of an inverted camp chair. He was allowed to lie where he had fallen. Mr. Nick Lapp, a clerk in the drug store under the building heard the single pistol shot, and was one of the first to arrive. He procured some cotton ad bandages and cleaned the wound of the clotted blood and brains, which had oozed out of a pistol ball wound in the back of the head about three inches above the left nape of the neck.
Dr. Frank P. Corrigan was hastily brought from his office. He examined the wound, pronounced it fatal and administered some stimulants, but half an hour ater the shot had been fired a call for Coroner Miller was sent over the telephone wires, and Gividen’ s victim was dead.
The Dead Man
……
The killing was sudden and unexpected, and occurred before the horror-stricken girls, who are the only witnesses, could realize what was happening. Mr. Gividen is the Eastern and Southern agent for John Shrader’ s wholesale furniture house and his office is in this city.
From the facts obtainable it appears that Gividen was indebted to B. H. Lawrence, of the Enterprise Vinnegar Works, at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, in the sum of $5. It is said that Lawrence made frequent attempts to collect the bill, and on account of his persistency some feeling existed between him and Gividen. Thursday afternoon Gividen drew up a check on his bank for the amount of the bill and gave it to Lawrence. At the bank yesterday morning, for some reason or other, the check was not paid, and at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon Lawrence, who had come up to the city, went into Gividen’ s office to see about the matter.
Beginning of the Quarrel
……….
Gividen was seated in a revolving chair engaged in writing a letter when Lawrence entered the office. Miss Leona Johnston, of 920 Sixth Street, and Miss Nettie Newhill*, living at 2c53 Portland Avenue, two stenographers and type writers employed by Gividen were at work on their machines just behind him. Lawrence appeared to have been drinking and carried in his hand a medium sized walking cane. He and Gividen got into a dispute over the alleged debt, and their quarrel was loud and violent. Finally the lie was passed and Lawrence’s cane descended on the side of Gividen’ s head. The latter sprang from his chair and the two men grappled and struggled violently about the room. The carpet strip was disarranged and torn up, and then the furniture in the room was pushed about while the struggle was going on.
The young ladies were much excited and had commenced to scream. By this time the men had almost arrived at the door. There was a desperate attempt made by each of the men, they paused, broke apart, a pistol gleamed, a short rang out, and Lawrence fell to the floor. Not a word had been spoken while the struggle was in progress and it was over almost in an instant.
Said He was compelled to do it
…….
But one shot was fired, and with the smoking pistol in his hand Gividen turned to the young ladies, and said he was compelled to shoot the man.
Lawrence after striking him with the cane had drawn his pistol, and the struggle between the men was for the possession of the weapon Finally Gividen had gotten his right hand on the trigger guard of the pistol, and with a desperate exertion of his strength and wrested the weapon for Lawrence’s grasp. The exertion had almost thrown Lawrence from his feet, and as he staggered up and with the back of his head half turned toward him, Gividen fired. The men were at this time not more than four feet apart, and as Gividen’ s shot rang out, Lawrence fell heavily to the floor, striking his head against a handsome oak bedstead which was displayed in the office. The two girls ran screaming from the room and Gividen, showing but little trace of excitement, walked down the steps and approaching Officer De Forrester surrendered himself and was taken to the jail.
General Appearance of the Room
…..
By the time it became generally known that a crime had been committed in the building, and an eager and curious crowd quickly gathered bout the street entrance. People hurrying by on the sidewalks were attracted by the gathering and stopped long enough to make inquiries concerning the affair. A number of men followed Dr. Corrigan up into the office, among them being Mr. Henry W. Gray, the insurance agent, an uncle of Lawrence and Bob Gray, the young man’s first cousin. Lawrence never spoke and never regained consciousness, and at 4:45 o’clock Dr. Corrigan pronounced him dead.
Only the ticking of the Clock
……
When Coroner Miller arrived the dead man’s positon on the floor was unchanged. A group of quiet men stood near the dead man, while officer Kenehan* stood guard at the room. The only sound noticeable was the nose made by a little swinging clock which ticked away merrily in the window behind the desk. The room is a very large one, and was used by Gividen as an office an sample room Sets of fine hardwood, oak and walnut furniture were arranged around the walls and in the corners of the room. Near the northwest corner was Gividen’ s desk and chair, and just behind that was the table at which the typewriters were employed when their work was interfered with by the struggle between the men. To the south of the main apartment was a smaller chamber, occupied by Gividen as a sleeping apartment. It was separated from the outer room by a heavy curtain, hanging for a brass rod and rings over the door.
The Coroner’s Examination
……
The dead man was first examined by Coroner Miller. The body was dressed in a neat brown striped suit of clothes, and the overcoat had not been removed. The right arm was under the body, and the falling of the jaw was prevented by a band of cotton around the face. Dr. Miller probed the wound and searched the pockets of the corpse. A number of business cards, a knife, some letters and papers were found, and $58.95 in bills and change was taken charge of by Coroner Miller.
………..
A jury was impaneled on the spot, and William Pfeiffer, George Gay, james Anderson, W. H. Hatch, Mark Sales and W. H. parsons viewed the remains with the Coroner and were shown the wound, and its nature was explained by Coroner Miller. The members of the jury were then recognized for Monday evening at 3 o’clock, when the inquest will be held at King’s undertaking establishment.
The remains were removed to King’s, and at 8 o’clock Coroner Miller removed the scalp and made his post mortem. The bullet was found embedded in the brain. Its course was upwards, and when shot, Lawrence must have been either stooping or down on the floor.
A reporter called upon Gividen at the jail, and found him sitting in the parlor surrounded by friends. When asked for a statement of the tragedy and the circumstances leading to it, he declined to say anything concerning them.
Advised Not to Talk
……
“My friends,” said he, “advise me to say nothing about the affair at this time. I do not feel like talking at all, for the excitement renders me nervous. I will give you the names of the witnesses to the whole occurrence, though, and they will tell you what happened. I can only say that I am extremely sorry the killing happened, but my conscience is clear, for I killed him to save my own life. I had a bone felon removed today, and if I could have used my left hand I might otherwise have overpowered him and avoided Lawrence’s death, but as it was I could not do except what I did and save myself for being killed.”
Ex-Lieutenant of Police Gividen called upon his brother and talked for some time. Mr. Gividen’ s friends say that Lawrence had been in several places during the day denouncing Gividen any (and?)saying he intended to “do him up.” They say that he talked loudly in Rassinier’s* saloon about going to call on Gividen and have a settlement with him, and that Lawrence tried to borrow a pistol from several persons, finally securing one at Crockford* saloon, on Jefferson street, between fourth and Fifth. Gividen has retained Mr. Aaron Kohn, and both he and his friends expressed their full belief that he will be dismissed after the examining trial.
Who Lawrence Was
…..
As soon as the shooting occurred the news was sent to Lawrence’s wife, but she did not view the lifeless body of her husband.
Ben Lawrence was one of the best known men about town. He was the son of Benjamin H. Lawrence, before the war one of the most successful turf men in Kentucky. In 1854 while the races were in progress here, Mr. Lawrence was shot and killed in the rotunda of the Galt House by Ben Jonson, a Lexington horseman, Johnson and Lawrence engaged in a quarrel over a racing bet, and the shooting was the result. Although the prosecution was vigorously pushed, Johnson was acquitted on the ground of self-defense. He left three children, two boys, Elias and Ben, and a daughter, who is now married and living in New York. The mother afterward married John Churchill, for whom the race course is called ”Churchill Downs.”
The three step-children were sent to the best schools in the country, and were given excellent educations. At the death of the mother the children inherited about $100,000 apiece. The money lasted the young men but a few years. Horse racing and gambling caused their ruin, and the two young men then became professional gamblers. Elias Lawrence is now in Chicago, where he is interested in a gambling house. Ben Lawrence dealt Faro bank here for some years, and when gambling in this city was suppressed by the Law and Order Club he was working for Waddell, on Fifth Street.
Struggling Hard for a Living
…….
Since the closing up of the gambling establishments, Lawrence had been struggling hard for a living. His wife and two small children were dependent upon him for support. He secured a position at a United States storekeeper but did not hold it for any length of time. About four months ago Lawrence obtained a small amount of money and formed a partnership with George W. Foss, Fred Casper and P. D. Logan, and started the Enterprise Vinegar Works at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, Portland. Since then he has been living with his family on Rudd avenue, between Thirty-first and thirty-second streets. He was thirty-three years of age.
Lawrence was widely connected in this city, and was related to some of Louisville’s best and most prominent citizens. Elias Lawrence, Superintendent of the Latonia Racing Association and a leading Kentucky turf man, who died within the last few months, was his uncle.
Expects to Be Released on Bail
Ben Thomas Gividen, who is charged with the killing, is from Henry County, this State, and is a brother of F. P. Gividen, the well-known ex-Lieutenant of Police. He was a drummer for furniture houses in this city, but recently secured the Eastern and Southern agency for John Shrader, manufacturer of fine goods and had built up a good furniture commission trade in this city. He is unmarried and is about thirty-five years of age. He has plenty of friends in this city, and expects to be released on bail as soon as the Corner’ s inquest can be herd.
Lawrence’s relatives last night telegraphed to his brother in Chicago and his sister in New York, and they are expected to arrive I the city tonight or tomorrow. The funeral will probably occur tomorrow afternoon. The body was kept at the undertaker’s last night, and will be taken to his late home this morning.
……..
Contributor: Vernon Purvis (49568274)
born ca 1855
Benjamin Lawrence (176294155)
Suggested edit: Courier-Journal
March 3, 1888
Page 1
MET HIS FATHER’S FATE!
…….
Benjamin Lawrence Shot and Almost Instantly Killed by
B. T. Gividen
……
A Quarrel Over a Small Debt Leads to a Struggle and the Tragedy
……..
The Slayer Claims Self Defense and is
Confident that He will be Acquitted!
……
Violent Death of a Prominent Turf man
Recalled by the Similar Fate of His Son!
….
END OF A LIFE LIVED IN VAIN!
………
B. T. Gividen
“Officer, I want to surrender myself. I have just killed a man upstairs. He tried to shoot me and I could not help it.”
These words were spoken by B. T Gividen to Officer DeForrester, who was standing on the northeast corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets, at a quarter past 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Gividen held a large size thirty-eight caliber Smith & Wesson improved pistol, which he handed to the officer. He would make no explanation, and was taken to jail, where he was registered with the ominous charge of murder against his name.
Shortly after 5 o’clock, when both sides of Fourth Avenue presented a crowded and lively appearance with persons hurrying home from their daily toil, a human life was fast ebbing away and half an hour afterwards Benjamin H. Lawrence, a young man widely known, was lying dead in Room 5 of the block at 347 Fourth Avenue, the ground floor of which is occupied by Wanamaker & Brown.
When the officers reached the building they were shown to the office of B. T. Gividen, the furniture agent, in room No. 6, which is at the North end of the corridor on the second floor and overlooking the court in the rear of the building. The door was wide open and two handsome young girls, bare-headed and very much excited, were running about the hallway, wringing their hands and evidently were verging upon hysterics.
Stretched Upon the Floor
……
Lying inside the door, flat on his back across the narrow strip of carpet to deaden the foot falls of those having business in the office, was Benjamin H. Lawrence. He was weltering in his own blood, and the dark red fluid had spread out from under his head and had formed little pools on the figures of the bright red carpet which covered the floor. His black Derby hat was still upon his head but was crushed into an almost shapeless mass. Near him was lying a walking cane. The man was still alive but was breathing heavily and was unconscious.
The officers and a crowd of curious men who had pushed by them into the apartment raised the wounded man’s head and rested it on a pillow on the back of an inverted camp chair. He was allowed to lie where he had fallen. Mr. Nick Lapp, a clerk in the drug store under the building heard the single pistol shot, and was one of the first to arrive. He procured some cotton ad bandages and cleaned the wound of the clotted blood and brains, which had oozed out of a pistol ball wound in the back of the head about three inches above the left nape of the neck.
Dr. Frank P. Corrigan was hastily brought from his office. He examined the wound, pronounced it fatal and administered some stimulants, but half an hour ater the shot had been fired a call for Coroner Miller was sent over the telephone wires, and Gividen’ s victim was dead.
The Dead Man
……
The killing was sudden and unexpected, and occurred before the horror-stricken girls, who are the only witnesses, could realize what was happening. Mr. Gividen is the Eastern and Southern agent for John Shrader’ s wholesale furniture house and his office is in this city.
From the facts obtainable it appears that Gividen was indebted to B. H. Lawrence, of the Enterprise Vinnegar Works, at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, in the sum of $5. It is said that Lawrence made frequent attempts to collect the bill, and on account of his persistency some feeling existed between him and Gividen. Thursday afternoon Gividen drew up a check on his bank for the amount of the bill and gave it to Lawrence. At the bank yesterday morning, for some reason or other, the check was not paid, and at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon Lawrence, who had come up to the city, went into Gividen’ s office to see about the matter.
Beginning of the Quarrel
……….
Gividen was seated in a revolving chair engaged in writing a letter when Lawrence entered the office. Miss Leona Johnston, of 920 Sixth Street, and Miss Nettie Newhill*, living at 2c53 Portland Avenue, two stenographers and type writers employed by Gividen were at work on their machines just behind him. Lawrence appeared to have been drinking and carried in his hand a medium sized walking cane. He and Gividen got into a dispute over the alleged debt, and their quarrel was loud and violent. Finally the lie was passed and Lawrence’s cane descended on the side of Gividen’ s head. The latter sprang from his chair and the two men grappled and struggled violently about the room. The carpet strip was disarranged and torn up, and then the furniture in the room was pushed about while the struggle was going on.
The young ladies were much excited and had commenced to scream. By this time the men had almost arrived at the door. There was a desperate attempt made by each of the men, they paused, broke apart, a pistol gleamed, a short rang out, and Lawrence fell to the floor. Not a word had been spoken while the struggle was in progress and it was over almost in an instant.
Said He was compelled to do it
…….
But one shot was fired, and with the smoking pistol in his hand Gividen turned to the young ladies, and said he was compelled to shoot the man.
Lawrence after striking him with the cane had drawn his pistol, and the struggle between the men was for the possession of the weapon Finally Gividen had gotten his right hand on the trigger guard of the pistol, and with a desperate exertion of his strength and wrested the weapon for Lawrence’s grasp. The exertion had almost thrown Lawrence from his feet, and as he staggered up and with the back of his head half turned toward him, Gividen fired. The men were at this time not more than four feet apart, and as Gividen’ s shot rang out, Lawrence fell heavily to the floor, striking his head against a handsome oak bedstead which was displayed in the office. The two girls ran screaming from the room and Gividen, showing but little trace of excitement, walked down the steps and approaching Officer De Forrester surrendered himself and was taken to the jail.
General Appearance of the Room
…..
By the time it became generally known that a crime had been committed in the building, and an eager and curious crowd quickly gathered bout the street entrance. People hurrying by on the sidewalks were attracted by the gathering and stopped long enough to make inquiries concerning the affair. A number of men followed Dr. Corrigan up into the office, among them being Mr. Henry W. Gray, the insurance agent, an uncle of Lawrence and Bob Gray, the young man’s first cousin. Lawrence never spoke and never regained consciousness, and at 4:45 o’clock Dr. Corrigan pronounced him dead.
Only the ticking of the Clock
……
When Coroner Miller arrived the dead man’s positon on the floor was unchanged. A group of quiet men stood near the dead man, while officer Kenehan* stood guard at the room. The only sound noticeable was the nose made by a little swinging clock which ticked away merrily in the window behind the desk. The room is a very large one, and was used by Gividen as an office an sample room Sets of fine hardwood, oak and walnut furniture were arranged around the walls and in the corners of the room. Near the northwest corner was Gividen’ s desk and chair, and just behind that was the table at which the typewriters were employed when their work was interfered with by the struggle between the men. To the south of the main apartment was a smaller chamber, occupied by Gividen as a sleeping apartment. It was separated from the outer room by a heavy curtain, hanging for a brass rod and rings over the door.
The Coroner’s Examination
……
The dead man was first examined by Coroner Miller. The body was dressed in a neat brown striped suit of clothes, and the overcoat had not been removed. The right arm was under the body, and the falling of the jaw was prevented by a band of cotton around the face. Dr. Miller probed the wound and searched the pockets of the corpse. A number of business cards, a knife, some letters and papers were found, and $58.95 in bills and change was taken charge of by Coroner Miller.
………..
A jury was impaneled on the spot, and William Pfeiffer, George Gay, james Anderson, W. H. Hatch, Mark Sales and W. H. parsons viewed the remains with the Coroner and were shown the wound, and its nature was explained by Coroner Miller. The members of the jury were then recognized for Monday evening at 3 o’clock, when the inquest will be held at King’s undertaking establishment.
The remains were removed to King’s, and at 8 o’clock Coroner Miller removed the scalp and made his post mortem. The bullet was found embedded in the brain. Its course was upwards, and when shot, Lawrence must have been either stooping or down on the floor.
A reporter called upon Gividen at the jail, and found him sitting in the parlor surrounded by friends. When asked for a statement of the tragedy and the circumstances leading to it, he declined to say anything concerning them.
Advised Not to Talk
……
“My friends,” said he, “advise me to say nothing about the affair at this time. I do not feel like talking at all, for the excitement renders me nervous. I will give you the names of the witnesses to the whole occurrence, though, and they will tell you what happened. I can only say that I am extremely sorry the killing happened, but my conscience is clear, for I killed him to save my own life. I had a bone felon removed today, and if I could have used my left hand I might otherwise have overpowered him and avoided Lawrence’s death, but as it was I could not do except what I did and save myself for being killed.”
Ex-Lieutenant of Police Gividen called upon his brother and talked for some time. Mr. Gividen’ s friends say that Lawrence had been in several places during the day denouncing Gividen any (and?)saying he intended to “do him up.” They say that he talked loudly in Rassinier’s* saloon about going to call on Gividen and have a settlement with him, and that Lawrence tried to borrow a pistol from several persons, finally securing one at Crockford* saloon, on Jefferson street, between fourth and Fifth. Gividen has retained Mr. Aaron Kohn, and both he and his friends expressed their full belief that he will be dismissed after the examining trial.
Who Lawrence Was
…..
As soon as the shooting occurred the news was sent to Lawrence’s wife, but she did not view the lifeless body of her husband.
Ben Lawrence was one of the best known men about town. He was the son of Benjamin H. Lawrence, before the war one of the most successful turf men in Kentucky. In 1854 while the races were in progress here, Mr. Lawrence was shot and killed in the rotunda of the Galt House by Ben Jonson, a Lexington horseman, Johnson and Lawrence engaged in a quarrel over a racing bet, and the shooting was the result. Although the prosecution was vigorously pushed, Johnson was acquitted on the ground of self-defense. He left three children, two boys, Elias and Ben, and a daughter, who is now married and living in New York. The mother afterward married John Churchill, for whom the race course is called ”Churchill Downs.”
The three step-children were sent to the best schools in the country, and were given excellent educations. At the death of the mother the children inherited about $100,000 apiece. The money lasted the young men but a few years. Horse racing and gambling caused their ruin, and the two young men then became professional gamblers. Elias Lawrence is now in Chicago, where he is interested in a gambling house. Ben Lawrence dealt Faro bank here for some years, and when gambling in this city was suppressed by the Law and Order Club he was working for Waddell, on Fifth Street.
Struggling Hard for a Living
…….
Since the closing up of the gambling establishments, Lawrence had been struggling hard for a living. His wife and two small children were dependent upon him for support. He secured a position at a United States storekeeper but did not hold it for any length of time. About four months ago Lawrence obtained a small amount of money and formed a partnership with George W. Foss, Fred Casper and P. D. Logan, and started the Enterprise Vinegar Works at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, Portland. Since then he has been living with his family on Rudd avenue, between Thirty-first and thirty-second streets. He was thirty-three years of age.
Lawrence was widely connected in this city, and was related to some of Louisville’s best and most prominent citizens. Elias Lawrence, Superintendent of the Latonia Racing Association and a leading Kentucky turf man, who died within the last few months, was his uncle.
Expects to Be Released on Bail
Ben Thomas Gividen, who is charged with the killing, is from Henry County, this State, and is a brother of F. P. Gividen, the well-known ex-Lieutenant of Police. He was a drummer for furniture houses in this city, but recently secured the Eastern and Southern agency for John Shrader, manufacturer of fine goods and had built up a good furniture commission trade in this city. He is unmarried and is about thirty-five years of age. He has plenty of friends in this city, and expects to be released on bail as soon as the Corner’ s inquest can be herd.
Lawrence’s relatives last night telegraphed to his brother in Chicago and his sister in New York, and they are expected to arrive I the city tonight or tomorrow. The funeral will probably occur tomorrow afternoon. The body was kept at the undertaker’s last night, and will be taken to his late home this morning.
……..
Contributor: Vernon Purvis (49568274)
Benjamin Lawrence (176294155)
Suggested edit: Courier-Journal
March 3, 1888
Page 1
MET HIS FATHER’S FATE!
…….
Benjamin Lawrence Shot and Almost Instantly Killed by
B. T. Gividen
……
A Quarrel Over a Small Debt Leads to a Struggle and the Tragedy
……..
The Slayer Claims Self Defense and is
Confident that He will be Acquitted!
……
Violent Death of a Prominent Turf man
Recalled by the Similar Fate of His Son!
….
END OF A LIFE LIVED IN VAIN!
………
B. T. Gividen
“Officer, I want to surrender myself. I have just killed a man upstairs. He tried to shoot me and I could not help it.”
These words were spoken by B. T Gividen to Officer DeForrester, who was standing on the northeast corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets, at a quarter past 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Gividen held a large size thirty-eight caliber Smith & Wesson improved pistol, which he handed to the officer. He would make no explanation, and was taken to jail, where he was registered with the ominous charge of murder against his name.
Shortly after 5 o’clock, when both sides of Fourth Avenue presented a crowded and lively appearance with persons hurrying home from their daily toil, a human life was fast ebbing away and half an hour afterwards Benjamin H. Lawrence, a young man widely known, was lying dead in Room 5 of the block at 347 Fourth Avenue, the ground floor of which is occupied by Wanamaker & Brown.
When the officers reached the building they were shown to the office of B. T. Gividen, the furniture agent, in room No. 6, which is at the North end of the corridor on the second floor and overlooking the court in the rear of the building. The door was wide open and two handsome young girls, bare-headed and very much excited, were running about the hallway, wringing their hands and evidently were verging upon hysterics.
Stretched Upon the Floor
……
Lying inside the door, flat on his back across the narrow strip of carpet to deaden the foot falls of those having business in the office, was Benjamin H. Lawrence. He was weltering in his own blood, and the dark red fluid had spread out from under his head and had formed little pools on the figures of the bright red carpet which covered the floor. His black Derby hat was still upon his head but was crushed into an almost shapeless mass. Near him was lying a walking cane. The man was still alive but was breathing heavily and was unconscious.
The officers and a crowd of curious men who had pushed by them into the apartment raised the wounded man’s head and rested it on a pillow on the back of an inverted camp chair. He was allowed to lie where he had fallen. Mr. Nick Lapp, a clerk in the drug store under the building heard the single pistol shot, and was one of the first to arrive. He procured some cotton ad bandages and cleaned the wound of the clotted blood and brains, which had oozed out of a pistol ball wound in the back of the head about three inches above the left nape of the neck.
Dr. Frank P. Corrigan was hastily brought from his office. He examined the wound, pronounced it fatal and administered some stimulants, but half an hour ater the shot had been fired a call for Coroner Miller was sent over the telephone wires, and Gividen’ s victim was dead.
The Dead Man
……
The killing was sudden and unexpected, and occurred before the horror-stricken girls, who are the only witnesses, could realize what was happening. Mr. Gividen is the Eastern and Southern agent for John Shrader’ s wholesale furniture house and his office is in this city.
From the facts obtainable it appears that Gividen was indebted to B. H. Lawrence, of the Enterprise Vinnegar Works, at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, in the sum of $5. It is said that Lawrence made frequent attempts to collect the bill, and on account of his persistency some feeling existed between him and Gividen. Thursday afternoon Gividen drew up a check on his bank for the amount of the bill and gave it to Lawrence. At the bank yesterday morning, for some reason or other, the check was not paid, and at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon Lawrence, who had come up to the city, went into Gividen’ s office to see about the matter.
Beginning of the Quarrel
……….
Gividen was seated in a revolving chair engaged in writing a letter when Lawrence entered the office. Miss Leona Johnston, of 920 Sixth Street, and Miss Nettie Newhill*, living at 2c53 Portland Avenue, two stenographers and type writers employed by Gividen were at work on their machines just behind him. Lawrence appeared to have been drinking and carried in his hand a medium sized walking cane. He and Gividen got into a dispute over the alleged debt, and their quarrel was loud and violent. Finally the lie was passed and Lawrence’s cane descended on the side of Gividen’ s head. The latter sprang from his chair and the two men grappled and struggled violently about the room. The carpet strip was disarranged and torn up, and then the furniture in the room was pushed about while the struggle was going on.
The young ladies were much excited and had commenced to scream. By this time the men had almost arrived at the door. There was a desperate attempt made by each of the men, they paused, broke apart, a pistol gleamed, a short rang out, and Lawrence fell to the floor. Not a word had been spoken while the struggle was in progress and it was over almost in an instant.
Said He was compelled to do it
…….
But one shot was fired, and with the smoking pistol in his hand Gividen turned to the young ladies, and said he was compelled to shoot the man.
Lawrence after striking him with the cane had drawn his pistol, and the struggle between the men was for the possession of the weapon Finally Gividen had gotten his right hand on the trigger guard of the pistol, and with a desperate exertion of his strength and wrested the weapon for Lawrence’s grasp. The exertion had almost thrown Lawrence from his feet, and as he staggered up and with the back of his head half turned toward him, Gividen fired. The men were at this time not more than four feet apart, and as Gividen’ s shot rang out, Lawrence fell heavily to the floor, striking his head against a handsome oak bedstead which was displayed in the office. The two girls ran screaming from the room and Gividen, showing but little trace of excitement, walked down the steps and approaching Officer De Forrester surrendered himself and was taken to the jail.
General Appearance of the Room
…..
By the time it became generally known that a crime had been committed in the building, and an eager and curious crowd quickly gathered bout the street entrance. People hurrying by on the sidewalks were attracted by the gathering and stopped long enough to make inquiries concerning the affair. A number of men followed Dr. Corrigan up into the office, among them being Mr. Henry W. Gray, the insurance agent, an uncle of Lawrence and Bob Gray, the young man’s first cousin. Lawrence never spoke and never regained consciousness, and at 4:45 o’clock Dr. Corrigan pronounced him dead.
Only the ticking of the Clock
……
When Coroner Miller arrived the dead man’s positon on the floor was unchanged. A group of quiet men stood near the dead man, while officer Kenehan* stood guard at the room. The only sound noticeable was the nose made by a little swinging clock which ticked away merrily in the window behind the desk. The room is a very large one, and was used by Gividen as an office an sample room Sets of fine hardwood, oak and walnut furniture were arranged around the walls and in the corners of the room. Near the northwest corner was Gividen’ s desk and chair, and just behind that was the table at which the typewriters were employed when their work was interfered with by the struggle between the men. To the south of the main apartment was a smaller chamber, occupied by Gividen as a sleeping apartment. It was separated from the outer room by a heavy curtain, hanging for a brass rod and rings over the door.
The Coroner’s Examination
……
The dead man was first examined by Coroner Miller. The body was dressed in a neat brown striped suit of clothes, and the overcoat had not been removed. The right arm was under the body, and the falling of the jaw was prevented by a band of cotton around the face. Dr. Miller probed the wound and searched the pockets of the corpse. A number of business cards, a knife, some letters and papers were found, and $58.95 in bills and change was taken charge of by Coroner Miller.
………..
A jury was impaneled on the spot, and William Pfeiffer, George Gay, james Anderson, W. H. Hatch, Mark Sales and W. H. parsons viewed the remains with the Coroner and were shown the wound, and its nature was explained by Coroner Miller. The members of the jury were then recognized for Monday evening at 3 o’clock, when the inquest will be held at King’s undertaking establishment.
The remains were removed to King’s, and at 8 o’clock Coroner Miller removed the scalp and made his post mortem. The bullet was found embedded in the brain. Its course was upwards, and when shot, Lawrence must have been either stooping or down on the floor.
A reporter called upon Gividen at the jail, and found him sitting in the parlor surrounded by friends. When asked for a statement of the tragedy and the circumstances leading to it, he declined to say anything concerning them.
Advised Not to Talk
……
“My friends,” said he, “advise me to say nothing about the affair at this time. I do not feel like talking at all, for the excitement renders me nervous. I will give you the names of the witnesses to the whole occurrence, though, and they will tell you what happened. I can only say that I am extremely sorry the killing happened, but my conscience is clear, for I killed him to save my own life. I had a bone felon removed today, and if I could have used my left hand I might otherwise have overpowered him and avoided Lawrence’s death, but as it was I could not do except what I did and save myself for being killed.”
Ex-Lieutenant of Police Gividen called upon his brother and talked for some time. Mr. Gividen’ s friends say that Lawrence had been in several places during the day denouncing Gividen any (and?)saying he intended to “do him up.” They say that he talked loudly in Rassinier’s* saloon about going to call on Gividen and have a settlement with him, and that Lawrence tried to borrow a pistol from several persons, finally securing one at Crockford* saloon, on Jefferson street, between fourth and Fifth. Gividen has retained Mr. Aaron Kohn, and both he and his friends expressed their full belief that he will be dismissed after the examining trial.
Who Lawrence Was
…..
As soon as the shooting occurred the news was sent to Lawrence’s wife, but she did not view the lifeless body of her husband.
Ben Lawrence was one of the best known men about town. He was the son of Benjamin H. Lawrence, before the war one of the most successful turf men in Kentucky. In 1854 while the races were in progress here, Mr. Lawrence was shot and killed in the rotunda of the Galt House by Ben Jonson, a Lexington horseman, Johnson and Lawrence engaged in a quarrel over a racing bet, and the shooting was the result. Although the prosecution was vigorously pushed, Johnson was acquitted on the ground of self-defense. He left three children, two boys, Elias and Ben, and a daughter, who is now married and living in New York. The mother afterward married John Churchill, for whom the race course is called ”Churchill Downs.”
The three step-children were sent to the best schools in the country, and were given excellent educations. At the death of the mother the children inherited about $100,000 apiece. The money lasted the young men but a few years. Horse racing and gambling caused their ruin, and the two young men then became professional gamblers. Elias Lawrence is now in Chicago, where he is interested in a gambling house. Ben Lawrence dealt Faro bank here for some years, and when gambling in this city was suppressed by the Law and Order Club he was working for Waddell, on Fifth Street.
Struggling Hard for a Living
…….
Since the closing up of the gambling establishments, Lawrence had been struggling hard for a living. His wife and two small children were dependent upon him for support. He secured a position at a United States storekeeper but did not hold it for any length of time. About four months ago Lawrence obtained a small amount of money and formed a partnership with George W. Foss, Fred Casper and P. D. Logan, and started the Enterprise Vinegar Works at 110 and 112 Thirty-fourth street, Portland. Since then he has been living with his family on Rudd avenue, between Thirty-first and thirty-second streets. He was thirty-three years of age.
Lawrence was widely connected in this city, and was related to some of Louisville’s best and most prominent citizens. Elias Lawrence, Superintendent of the Latonia Racing Association and a leading Kentucky turf man, who died within the last few months, was his uncle.
Expects to Be Released on Bail
Ben Thomas Gividen, who is charged with the killing, is from Henry County, this State, and is a brother of F. P. Gividen, the well-known ex-Lieutenant of Police. He was a drummer for furniture houses in this city, but recently secured the Eastern and Southern agency for John Shrader, manufacturer of fine goods and had built up a good furniture commission trade in this city. He is unmarried and is about thirty-five years of age. He has plenty of friends in this city, and expects to be released on bail as soon as the Corner’ s inquest can be herd.
Lawrence’s relatives last night telegraphed to his brother in Chicago and his sister in New York, and they are expected to arrive I the city tonight or tomorrow. The funeral will probably occur tomorrow afternoon. The body was kept at the undertaker’s last night, and will be taken to his late home this morning.
……..
Contributor: Vernon Purvis (49568274)
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