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Submitted: 3/7/13 • Approved: 10/26/22 • Last Updated: 10/29/22 • R844242-G0-S3
February 3, 1841 - April 12, 1912
Born in England
*Obituary
Gentry Journal-Advance
Friday, April 12, 1912
BENTLEY, Mr. and Mrs. M.R. - Siloam Springs, Ark., April 10.- M.R. Bentley, an aged, wealthy resident of Siloam Springs, shot and killed his wife in this city at 12:30 o'clock today and then shot himself. He died at 10 o'clock tonight. Domestic trouble caused the tragedy. The Bentleys had quarreled over the division of an estate valued at $100,000. Bentley recently advanced $30,000 to his wife's people and he tried to make an agreement that this amount would come out of his wife's dowry interest. Mrs. Bentley refused to abide by this decision. A few days ago Bentley made his will and prepared for his death. He ordered a steel vault for a casket and made plans for his funeral. Bentley came to Siloam several years ago from Red Cloud, Nebraska.
*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, April 18, 1912
(from The Siloam Springs Herald and Democrat] Wednesday about 12 o'clock M.R. Bentley, a prominent citizen of Siloam Springs, shot and killed his wife and then turned the weapon on himself, shooting himself through the head, dying at 10 o'clock last night. The trouble arose over the division of estate, he and his wife having been in a quarrel over money matters for some time past. He was down town Wednesday morning and went into the Bates Hardware store to purchase a pistol, stating that he wanted to kill some rats. Mr. Bates did not have revolvers for sale but informed him that he had one at home which he would loan him. Bentley went to the Bates home, secured the revolver about 11 o'clock and then went to his home, called his wife upstairs and shot her twice. The first shot entered her chin and glanced back through her neck; the second entered her ear and ranged downward. Mr. Bentley has a brother, W. Bentley, who resided 3 miles north of town on Flint creek and he was called over the telephone. He came to Siloam Springs and is now in charge of the Bentley affairs. He wired the relatives of both Mr. and Mrs. Bentley and as soon as they answer, arrangements will be made for the funeral. Mr. Bentley was 75 years of age while his wife was 5 years younger.
Plot: Block 13
Contributed on 3/7/13 by tootied
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Record #: 844242