The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., October 11, 1951, page 1

CHENOWITH PIONEERS RECALL STORY ABOUT FIRST LOGGERS

     From James Morby and Frank Larsen, Chenoweth pioneers, The Sun has borrowed an almost forgotten chapter from Willard's pioneer logging days.  On our desk is a yellowed clipping, containing a scrap-book loaned to The Sun by Mr. Morby.
     Hot on the trail of a true ghost story for Halloween, the reporter bumped into a turn-of-the-century murder that spread its strange details across the front pages of America.
     Mr. Morby has lived in Chenowith Valley near Willard for 58 years. Mr. Larsen now resides in Bingen.  Both men knew the principles in the Benjamin murder case.

Indians

     The Morby’s ranch yard was once a campground where Indian tribes rested midway between the huckleberry fields and fall fishing at Underwood.
     One can still see the place where this country's first loggers “wound up” their oxen for shoeing.  Occasionally residents find an old broad-axe lost 60 years ago by loggers whose names are forgotten and whose faces are only blurred images of faded photographs.

Cemetery

     High on the brink of the canyon about one mile north of the place where Broughton’s flume crosses the road to Willard, is old Chenowith’s abandoned cemetery.  By and odd earth slippage the graves are being stretched to give the impression that giants are buried there.  Far below the Little White Salmon roars through its deep canyon.
     Here lies the people who saw the first commercial logging in this area.  They shot their logs down the river to Drano Lake and rafted them to the first mill at Cooks.

Not Dead

     History has a way of coming back to life, and old scrapbooks help to revive it.
     Late in the last century James G. Green whom Mr. Larsen remembers as “a big man weighing about 190 pounds, good-looking and pretty mean when drinking” shot and killed E.V. Benjamin, woods foreman at old Camp B.  Passionate jealousy over a pioneer countries scarce commodity motivated the crime.
     Green fled into the brush for several days before he was captured on the other side of the Jim Hayes place, now the Harry Card ranch.  Mr. Larsen saw the sheriff and his deputies bring Green down the mountain into Underwood.

The Trial

     Green’s guilt was so obvious that his sentence was a foregone conclusion.  The jury did not prolong its unpleasant duty and rendered a verdict of guilty within a few minutes.
     The murderer was intentionally held in a flimsy wooden jail and desperate hope was entertained that he would take advantage of the numerous opportunities afforded him to escape across the river.  Here follows the account of his hanging.

LAST OF GREEN
The Murderer Hanged At Stevenson Last Friday Morning

     James G. Green, the murderer of E.V. Benjamin, was hanged at 8 o'clock last Friday morning.  Sheriff Totton sprang the trap at 7:58 and  8 minutes later the pulse had stopped.
     The execution was a complete success, there being no difficulties, and all was carried out according to prearranged plans.  The condemned man maintained his courage to the last in a remarkable manner and went to the scaffold with cool determined mien, without the slightest fear or trembling.  Upon the scaffold he delivered a brief speech to the assembled witnesses, and concluding by exhorting all present to change their mode of life and think of their future existence.  Green had received the consolations of religion and was launched into eternity with firm and unshaken believe in his soul’s salvation.  Mrs. Benjamin, wife of the assassin’s victim, desired to be present at the execution of Green, but her requests and demands alike unheeded for reasons of policy.

Quiet Night

     Green passed a quiet night, almost pleasant, and judging from his demeanor no one would suspect that he was to die in a few hours.  The only stimulant he took was a cup of tea.  There was a peaceful calm about the man and he gave the attending guards no trouble.  Religion occupied his attention during the greater part of his remaining hours, and he availed himself of the opportunities afforded to seek consolation and comfort in the words of advice from the attending clergymen, Rev. E. H. Tobb, of Vancouver, Wash., who administered to the murderer’s spiritual wants and remained with him.  The minister and the assassin prayed long together and the clergyman gave him confirmation.

Last Minutes

     Before retiring Green bathed, had a shave and dressed himself.  He never lost courage for a moment and appeared to give the no thought to his approaching doom; at any rate he did not refer to it.  His sleep was peaceful and practically undisturbed and the death watch had an easy night.  His appetite was not affected in the least and he ate a very hearty breakfast with relish.
     At 7:45 Green’s cell was entered by Sheriff Totten; and in the presence of the few witnesses the death warrant was read by the officer in a clearer ringing voice.  As the terrible contents of the document were slowly read aloud Green stood facing the sheriff listening to every word, yet displaying no signs of emotion.
     Eight minutes after the death warrant was read Green was taken from the cell and the march to the scaffold began.  This was at 7:53.  Sheriff Totten walked on one side of the condemned man and Sheriff Marsh of Vancouver guarded the other side.  Rev. Mr. Todd followed in the rear of the trio. The officers were constantly prepared to support the prisoner should it become  necessary.

Last Words

     Green stepped forward firmly and looked over the crowd as unconcerned as possible.  He was not nervous.  Up the steps of the scaffold he marched, still with head upright, and accompanied by his three companions.  Then he shook hands with the minister.  Standing upon the trap, Green was bound with three straps.  His ankles were tied, his wrists were strapped to his sides, and the third bandage was upon his arm.
     “Have you anything to say,” asked Sheriff Totten, as he stood holding the black cap in his hand.
     “Yes,” answered the murderer.
     “Then speak,” ordered the sheriff officer.
     “All I have to say,” began the condemned man in a voice that could be heard by everyone in the enclosure, “is that I stand here not by my own strength, but by the strength of the Lord.  He keeps me up.  I advise all to change their way of living and be saved, as I have been saved.” As the speaker ceased Sheriff Totten stepped forward to adjust the black cap.  Before the hood was placed over his head Green took one more look at the witnesses and exclaimed: “Goodbye to everybody.” There was a chorus of responses, “Goodbye, Green,” “Goodbye, old man,” etc., and as the cap settled over his face the last expression visible was a smile of extreme peace and resignation.

The Trap

     Stepping back Sheriff Totten placed his hand upon the lever and pressed it.  The time was 7:58.  The trap shot aside and Green fell six feet, breaking his neck.  Eight minutes afterward the pulse ceased to beat.  Doctors August Schroeder and S. A. Locke examined the body.  Eleven minutes from the time the sheriff pressed the lever the body was cut down and immediately placed in a coffin and removed.
     No sooner was the corpse taken away than the crowd rushed toward the scaffold and began seeking souvenirs.  The rope was almost entirely cut into small pieces, the knot being taken by Sheriff Marsh.  Mr. Totten was offered $20 for this by an individual whose fad takes the form of a collection of hangmen's knots, and who has already about a score of them, but the offer was refused.

Burial

     After being placed in a plain coffin, the remains of Green were taken by wagon to the Stevenson cemetery and buried in an obscure corner of the field.  Brief services at the graves were performed by Rev. Todd.
     Mrs. Benjamin arrived at Stevenson the evening before the execution with the intention of being present at the hanging.  The Sheriff did not think it best, however, that the widow should attend, and therefore declined her permission to see the execution.