Benjamin J. Castor

© The Carmen Headlight

01-20-1920

Submitted by: Tim Dotterer

©Glenn

Funeral Of Benjamin Castor Was Impressive Ceremony

From the Carmen Headlight.

With the simplicity and dignity as befits the last sad rites of a veteran soldier of the Civil War, the funeral of Benjamin Castor was held Sunday afternoon at 12:30 in the Methodist Church. The people of the community gathered there to pay tribute to his memory. Rev. M. C. Lakey, also a veteran of the Civil War, preached a soldierly funeral and reviewed the life of Uncle Ben Castor whose body lay in the casket before him stranded with the GAR Post flag. Other veterans attending as honorary pallbearers were: Comrades Galloway, Ratledge, Steckman, Crawford and Thomas. Active pallbearers were members of the Carmen American Legion Post: Bill Means, Leon Edwards, L. A. Fowler, Bob Boyce, Fred Roush and Heidt Poulk, all in uniform, the latter named in full Naval dress.

In the course of his sermon Rev. Lakey paused to commend the members of the American Legion for their thoughtful loving care of the old veteran as was exemplified by them during the illness and death of Uncle Ben.

The body was laid to rest in Eagle west of town, beside the grave of his former wife who died a number of years ago.

To the bereaved wife and children of Uncle Ben Castor, the community extends its hearty sympathy. His was a well filled life and quite appropriate were his last spoken words: "I am ready to be called home."

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Ben Castor, 85 Year Old Veteran, Passes Away

Was Cared for in Brief Illness by American Legion Post. Was a Unique Town Character

From the Carmen Headlight.

This (Friday) afternoon shortly after 2 o'clock Benjamin Castor, veteran of the Civil War, passed away after a brief illness of a few days. His death was due to acute bronchitis which was too much for his strength to overcome. With him at his death were his son, Frank Castor and daughter, Mrs. S. M. Rader, both of Wichita, who had arrived just a few hours before his passing.

Uncle Ben took sick the first of the week and the boys of the local Legion post undertook the task of nursing the old veteran. Upon recommendation of physicians they moved him from his home in the west part of town to rooms which they engaged in Mrs. Carr's rooming house. Tuesday afternoon Uncle Ben was carried on a cot to a truck and made the trip uptown in good shape. He was placed under the care of Frank Ashcraft whom the boys engaged to care for him night and day, they taking turns and letting Ashcraft off for rest.

Apparently the patient got better at once and seemed to be recovering until Thursday night. He had responded to the medical treatment and had eaten heartily for a sick man. They were encouraged to note his improvement. His son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stewart, had been in to see him several times as had a number of friends and veterans.

From Thursday night a change was noticed and his children were notified. At times he sank into unconsciousness but he ate a light breakfast this morning and a light dinner just two hours before his death.

The body was taken to the Wentworth undertaking parlors and is being held until another daughter arrives from Wichita. The funeral will probably be held Sunday.

Besides a wife, he leaves a number of children, Frank Castor, Mrs. S. M. Rader and Mrs. Oley Smith of Wichita and Mrs. Jerry Stewart, who lives about nine miles southwest of Carmen. He had been married three times and would have been 85 years old at his next birthday, March 22.

Uncle Ben was a familiar figure to all Carmen people. He lived upon his pension from the government and was quite a hearty old man and spry. Years ago he led a celebration parade dressed as Uncle Sam which character he ably represented with only a slight makeup. Ever since the early days of the town Uncle Ben has been regarded as one of the fixed institutions of the town. He was the friend of all and always kept busy doing something.

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