It was not an easy time for Rosemary. Her emotional state was fragile even before the traumatic assault on her mental equilibrium. During the weeks that followed Claire’s murder, she isolated herself in Brad’s guest room, fearful and depressed. She couldn’t sleep without medication, didn’t eat enough and lost weight. She missed Harold now more than ever. At night she lay alone in the darkness recalling his touch, his voice, his tenderness when he kissed her goodnight. These thoughts, combined with her strong religious faith, were comforting, and in time gave her the strength to return to her home in Peabody.
Meg regained consciousness two days after the operation on her elbow and doctors were able to determine that, although the blow to her head disrupted cellular processes in her brain, it was not structurally damaged. Treatment involved close monitoring and rest in preparation for a second operation to reconstruct her elbow. That surgery, too, was successful and she was returned to her room, where her husband kept vigil at her bedside day and night.
She was released from the hospital ten days later. It was an emotional time for both Meg and Tom Gordon when they returned to their home in Salem. Meg would undergo three months of physical therapy at a clinic in Boston to recover full use of her arm. Although her mental state was not as tenuous as Rosemary’s, she was nonetheless scarred both physically and emotionally. All three women would forever mourn the loss of their friend, Claire.
Chapter 34
Because the evidence against them was overwhelming, the Hayes brothers and Herbie Grogan were indicted and held for trial in Concord. Public outrage demanded a speedy trial, which was held on February 19 of the following year. It lasted ten days.
Ed Benson and the three surviving women attended the trial in the new courthouse, all serving as witnesses for the prosecution. But they did not stay at the Lodge; it was too painful, especially for Ed. He arranged for them to stay at the Willows Inn, where Anne and Valerie had stayed earlier.
In New Hampshire, like many other states, capital murder is the only crime for which the death penalty could be imposed, and enraged citizens demanded it in this case. However, New Hampshire, whose motto is “Live free or die,” rarely put a convicted killer to death. Since 1734, only twenty-four people had been executed in the state. The last execution had been in 1939 when Howard Long, a storekeeper, was hanged for molesting and beating a 10-year-old Laconia boy to death. At the time of Claire Benson’s murder trial in 2009, there was only one person on death row. There is no execution chamber in the Granite State.
In the case of People of New Hampshire v. Albert Hayes, Case No. BA217829, Albert, the shooter, was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit burglary. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Juries in New Hampshire had wide latitude to determine what a mental disease or defect is and whether it was the cause of the crimes committed. It had been more than half a century since a New Hampshire jury returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and they did not do so in Albert’s case. After deliberating only four and one-half hours, he was found guilty on all counts relating to the murder of Claire Benson: first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit burglary and home invasion. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Raymond Hayes and Herbie Grogan were tried together six months later. Both pleaded guilty and threw themselves at the mercy of the court. But there was no mercy in the hearts of the jurors or the judge who took into consideration that at the time of the home invasion they were awaiting trial for an earlier break-in at the Lodge. Raymond was given 30-to-60 years and Herbie Grogan received 20-to-40 years.
Stanley Healy was not charged. It was proved that he had attended a movie with Mary Allen from Woodstock the evening of the murder. After taking her home, he stopped at the 7-Eleven for cigarettes and was spotted by the trio, who invited him to go for a ride in the Navigator. He didn’t know anything about the burglary, the shootings or the theft of the big black SUV they were riding in until he was heading out of town with the culprits who stole it. Despite his protests, they didn’t take him back to his car but continued on their flight out of town. Since he was not with them at the Lodge break-in in April, he was released to his father and told by the judge to watch the company he kept and stay out of trouble in the future.
Chapter 35
Had she lived, June 18, 2010, would have been Claire Endicott Benson’s 65th birthday. On that day, in her honor, Stone Brook opened its doors as a fully staffed cancer treatment center for children under the direction of Paul Russell Benson, M.D. A large rosewood dedication plaque in the foyer read:
Dedicated to the Memory of
Claire Endicott Benson
Stone Brook Children’s Inn
Woodbridge Notch, New Hampshire
Approved by the New Hampshire General Assembly
December 1, 2009
Dedicated June 18, 2010
Sanctioned by leading charitable organizations, the stated purpose of the Stone Brook Children’s Inn was to provide compassionate medical treatment to children suffering from the debilitating disease of cancer while they and their parents enjoy a vacation in the mountains as guests of the Benson family. Edward Andrew Benson, who donated the facility in honor of his wife, was approved as chief financial officer. Paul Russell Benson, M.D., was named founding administrator.
Through the good graces of concerned people everywhere, camps and family villages were established for adults and children with special needs throughout the country. In New Hampshire, two summer camps were built for both adults and children: one for physical, emotional and developmental needs; the other to teach sign language for the deaf and hearing impaired. But the Stone Brook Children’s Inn would be different. It would be for children with various types of cancer to enjoy precious, memorable moments with their parents during their treatment of this life-threatening disease.
In addition to summertime activities, there would be seasonal festivities throughout the entire year: Halloween goblins; a Thanksgiving feast; a Christmas party with tree, carols and gifts from Santa; a New Year’s celebration; valentines and Easter baskets. Nothing would be spared to make the time spent here pleasant for both the children and their parents.
It was a bright, sunny spring morning on the day the Lodge swung wide its double oak doors to greet visitors to the new Stone Brook Children’s Inn. Perhaps if that early American writer who waxed so eloquently about Indian Summer were to have been there that day, he would have lifted his pen again to describe its golden promise. Rhododendron were budding along the south stone wall, and forsythia and daffodils were in full bloom. The flower gardens were springing to life – those Claire had planted and those now tended by a volunteer gardener. It was a day filled with hope and renewal for the many supporters and well-wishers who sat in chairs on the front lawn, and others who crowded the edges to attend the opening ceremony.
Invited guests from Ed and Claire’s families and friends from the North Shore, joined by doctors and other staff members from Boston’s medical community, were great in number. So, too, were guests from official New Hampshire. Gov. John C. Applewhite arrived with almost the entire General Assembly, which is the largest legislative body in America, and the fourth largest in the world behind England, India and the U.S. Congress. Not part of the governor’s entourage, but equally important, were local officials, including the selectmen, the sheriff and his deputies, business owners from the village, and many residents from surrounding areas of Woodbridge Notch.
Anne, Rosemary, Meg and Tom were escorted to seats in the front row before the ceremony began. Rosemary slowly recovered emotionally from the trauma of the tragedy at the Lodge almost two years earlier, but not from the loss of her friend. After three months of physical therapy, Meg recovered full use of her arm, elbow and fingers. She remained active in real estate, and she and Tom continued to enjoy traveling abroad. Anne escaped without injury, but not without enduring heartache.
Seated on the platform on this pleasa
nt June morning were Ed Benson, his son, Drew, and his wife, Beverly, and Dr. Paul Benson and his wife, Peggy. They were joined by state and local officials: Governor Applewhite, Senators Margaret Bailey and Catherine Stanley, Congressman Ralph Moriarty, and the three selectmen from Woodbridge Notch – Sam Brady, Edwin Kiley and Dorothy Miller.
Ed spoke first, keeping his remarks brief.
“This place will always be home to me,” he began. “Claire and her family loved the time they spent in this house, in these mountains. I was very lucky the day she agreed to marry me and bring me into her family, and it’s been my good fortune and my great privilege to share this home with her, our children and our grandchildren.
“As most of you know, Claire was a loving person, a very caring woman. While she greatly appreciated the privileged life she was blessed with, she cared deeply about people and took a personal interest in the welfare of the less fortunate. During college breaks, she spent her time in India, Africa and other places doing what she could to help ease the plight of people living in poverty. But her philanthropy was not limited to foreign lands. Here at home when some human suffering came to her attention, she did something about it. I had a pet name for her at those times. I called her Miss Anonymous.”
Amid the smiles that followed, he continued. “I like to think she’s here with us today. In fact, I know she is – in spirit. She’ll be very happy to know that children, just like the many children she sat with at the children’s hospital in Boston, will be here in her house enjoying the things she did when she lived here as a child.”
He then thanked the guests for coming and invited them to tour the new clinic and attend the reception that followed at the Jack O’ Lantern.
His brother, Paul, was the next to speak. As a doctor, he stressed the importance of family involvement in the care of patients at the new facility.
“This will be a year-round medical center,” he explained. “We can accommodate twelve children and their parents at any given time. We find it makes a great difference in a child’s health and well-being when mom and dad are involved in their treatment, especially in serious situations like we’ll have here.”
Then, for the benefit of those guests who were not familiar with the Lodge when it was a private home, he described the renovations which had taken place to turn the residence into a state-of-the-art medical clinic.
“The eight bedrooms on the second level have a single bed for our patients and a double bed for their parents during their stay with us. And, yes, there is an elevator,” he smiled, answering the unasked question.
“Remember, these arrangements have been made to accommodate the children and their parents,” he stressed. “While we care for them medically as we would in a major hospital, when they are up here we want to involve the family as much as possible. Sadly, some of these children won’t live to adulthood and this time together is important.
“There are four bedrooms with similar sleeping arrangement on the first floor.” Here, he turned slightly to his left and waved his arm toward the sun porch, which showed evidence of recent reconstruction.
“This area was formerly the sun room, which was expanded as you can see.”
Formerly a side room with floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors leading onto the veranda and flower garden beyond, it was now wider and longer, extending the full length of the building. Both the full-length windows and the bay window had been replaced with smaller casement windows. The veranda, which formerly wrapped around three sides of the house, had been removed to provide more usable space for the clinic. The outer wall bore the same attractive stone used in the columns and elsewhere, complementing the building’s architectural design.
Paul continued, explaining that no expense was spared to provide the best medical and surgical equipment for the clinic.
“We have a laboratory, a small pharmacy to serve our needs, an office which the doctors will share, a play room for the children, a dining room and living room for staff and parents, a commercial kitchen, and large on-premise laundry. All departments are fully staffed.
“Something we don’t have that other major hospitals have,” he said, finishing his remarks with a broad smile, “is a cashier or a billing department. Only medical records are kept here. While these families are with us they’re guests, and we don’t charge guests.”
Then, looking directly at his brother, he added, “And for that, we thank the generosity and kindness of Claire and Ed Benson.”
When the applause that followed died down, Governor Applewhite rose to speak.
Beginning on a somber note, he said, “For generations the Endicott family has been well known and highly respected by the people in this community and in this state. We are proud to have them as neighbors. The tragic death of Claire Endicott Benson is a great loss for each and every one of us, and we will forever honor her good name.”
He went on. “This is a special day for me, as governor of this fine state. I feel it’s also a very important day for the children of our state, our region and our country, because I’m told admission to this wonderful treatment center is not based on zip code. Physicians and specialists attending their young patients know their needs, physically and emotionally, and they will decide who comes here and when. I understand their decisions will be based solely on each patient’s need. And I have full confidence that Dr. Paul here will maintain the highest standards in caring for the health and well-being of the young people entrusted to his care.
“The reason I say this is a great day is that for sick children to enjoy holidays and vacations in these beautiful mountains with their parents is remarkable, amazing, marvelous. But even those words cannot begin to express the importance of this magnificent endowment or my appreciation for the generosity and thoughtfulness of the Endicott-Benson family. It will long stand as a living monument to this wonderful family, like other great Americans who make our country the envy of the world. It’s the American way to help one another, especially children. We all love our children and want only the best for them, especially when it comes to caring for them when they are ill.
“In Boston there’s the Jimmy Fund, and look how that’s grown over the years to what it is today. Little Jimmy is no longer with us, but the plight of children like that little baseball fan is. I don’t expect it to happen in my lifetime, but I pray for the day when a cure is found for this devastating disease, and I hope that day comes sooner rather than later.”
His remarks continued for another ten minutes, during which he again thanked Ed Benson, ending with a promise directed at Paul. Turning to both brothers, he said, “If there’s anything the governor’s office can do for you, Dr. Benson, just ask. As you can see by the number of members of the General Assembly who traveled here today, we greatly appreciate what you are doing here and you have our deepest appreciation and wholehearted support.”
Other officials spoke in turn. Senator Bailey spoke briefly, thanking Ed for his generosity and wishing him and Paul success with the program.
Her remarks were echoed by Senator Stanley, whose brother was a cancer survivor. No doubt, because of the closeness of the threat in her own family, she spoke knowingly when she said, “The death rate of this terrible disease is higher in men than in women, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s a serious health issue in this country and I agree with Governor Applewhite. I, too, pray for the day when we find a cure, so children like those who will be visiting here can be healed in the early stages and live normal, healthy lives.”
Congressman Moriarty also thanked Ed and the Endicott family for the endowment. Addressing Ed, he said, “We who are here today to open this cancer treatment center thank you and salute you, Mr. Benson. And although future generations will never know you or the late Mrs. Benson, they, too, will thank you and honor the great lady who shared her home with them.
“Yes, I, too, pray for deliverance. There are many in medical research today working tirelessly for a cure, and I have no doubt o
ne day it will happen – not in our lifetimes, perhaps, but it’ll happen just as it has with other once-fatal illnesses.”
Selectman Sam Brady spoke for the other two from the town council, and his remarks about Claire were more personal.
“We all knew and loved Claire Benson,” he began, “and it’s a great honor for me to be here today to share a few memories about her.
“As the governor said, the Bensons were good neighbors, and they were very much involved in our community and our way of life. I can’t begin to tell you what their support has meant to all of us.”
He spoke of the time Claire paid expenses for the high school glee club to travel to the Nation’s Capital to compete with more than two hundred other choral groups.
“They came in third,” he said, “but when they returned, Mrs. Benson was there to meet the bus and she hugged them all as if they were the ones bringing home the trophy.
“She and her husband attended our high school football games when they were here, and they supported all the shows and special events at the Playhouse and we could always count on them during fund-raisers of any kind.”
In conclusion he said, “That’s why this treatment center is no surprise to those of us who have known this family for many years. It’s what they do. It’s who they are.”
His closing remark brought resounding applause from the entire audience as the guests seated on the lawn rose to join those standing in clapping long and loud to express their agreement.
Then Paul approached the microphone again and thanked everyone for coming. He also invited them to tour the facility and attend the reception at the Jack O’Lantern in the village.
The Mystery Trip Page 20
