Charles J. Graff

b. 5 January 1883, d. 8 April 1907
  • Charles J. Graff was born on 5 January 1883 in Alabama.
  • George C. Graff and Mary Lillian Thrasher appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Montgomery, Alabama, at 940 Adams Street. Other members of the household included Charles J. Graff, George C. Graff, Elizabeth G. Graff, Lucille Graff and Kirby Smith Graff.
  • He was working in a store as an errand boy, according to the 1900 census.
  • The following appeared on 17 August 1902 in The Montgomery Advertiser: Alma Benson, a white woman, was arrested last night charged with the murder of Henderson Graff. She is lodged in the County jail.
         This is the woman, who accompanied Dr. D. F. Robinson to the house of Emma Thompson on South Union Street, in the early morning of August 9, when a shooting affray occurred and Graff and Dr. Robinson received woulds from which both died.
         The Benson woman was arrested about 11:40 o'clock last night at her house on the corner of Dexter Avenue and Lawrence Street by Deputy Sheriffs P. H. McLemore and Nat Waller. The warrant was sworn out by Charles J. Graff, a brother of Henderson Graff, before W. S. Stokes, a Justice of the Peace.
          The warrant alleges that Alma Benson feloniously and with malice aforethought shot and killed Henderson Graff. The warrant was sworn out shortly before the arrest of the woman.
         The swearing out of the warrant and the arrest of Alma Benson was the result of quiet investigation. Acting Solicitor Terry Richardson, assisted by the police authorities and others having been working on the case for several days.
         It is said the prosecution will undertake to prove that when young Graff fired the pistol at Dr. Robinson Alma Benson wrested the weapon from his hand and shot him in the stomach.
         The preliminary hearing of the Benson woman will probably take place Monday in the court of Justice Stokes. Meanwhile she will remain in jail.
  • Charles J. Graff died on 8 April 1907 at age 24 in Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina.
  • He was interred at Robinson Springs Cemetery, Elmore County, Alabama.
  • The following appeared on 11 April 1907 in The Montgomery Advertiser: The remains of the late Charles J. Graff, the 25-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Graff of this city, who died in Hendersonville, N. C., after a long illness, were laid to rest yesterday. Mr. Graff left Montgomery for Hendersonville about a week ago, thinking to benefit his health by the changte of climate, but the change was Unavailing.
         The remains were shipped to Montgomery, and arrived here yesterday morning at 2:40 o'clock. The body was then taken to Robinson Springs, where interment was made in the family burying ground. Rev. W. M. Cox officiated at the services.
         The pall bearers were C. J. Fay, J. B. Beasley, R. M. Vandiver, John Vincentelli, Buford Martin, James O'Hara, J. P. Cornwell and Walter Brassell.
         Mr. Graff leaves a father and mother, two brothers, George C. Graff and Curby [sic] Graff, and two sisters, Mrs. Holt Hudson and Miss Lucile Graff.
  • Last Edited: 28 Jun 2014