By one of his own countrymen, a few miles east of Woodstock, February, 1890.
Death of Benwell and execution of Birchall. 36 Mr. Perry was Sheriff at that time; now Mr. Brady holds this position, and a son of the late sheriff is Deputy.
Now a sad tale we hiive to tell:
A few miles east, in Blenheim swamp,
So cruel slain was young Benwell,
Whose body lay ’mong snow and damp.
He was a well-bred English youth,
Hoping to own Canadian farm,
But his countryman devoid of truth,
He did plot his deadly harm.
Sad fate, the world did appal,
That he by bullet thus should die;
Fired by protended friend, Birchall,
Who swung for it on gallows high.