The farthest west of the ferries that crossed the Mokelumne River was just a short distance below the present town of New Hope. It was opened for business in 1849 by Edward Stokes and A.M. Woods; the following year the ferry was purchased by John A. Benson, who erected a house on the south side of the river and employed Green C. Palmer to attend the ferry. Benson was the leading spirit in seeking a division of the county in 1859, but before he succeeded he was killed by his employee, Palmer. The cause of the murder was the charge by Palmer that Bensoon, since 1854, had been intimate with his wife. It was said, however, that like a great many would-be heroes Benson was "more loose in his conversation than in his actions."

On the day of the murder, February 14, 1859, Palmer was at work plowing on the Benson place, but stopped work at noon-time. During the afternoon Palmer was in Parker's store, Benson came in accompanied by Dr. Hogaboom, and all three men took a drink at the bar. During this time Palmer's four children entered the store, and Benson, as was his usual custom, gave them some nuts and candies. Leaving the store, all three men went to Palmer's home. In a short time Benson and the physician left the house and when a short distance away, Benson heard Palmer call out to him. Turning, Benson saw Palmer running towards him with a revolver in his hand; surmising Palmer's intentions Benson cried out, "Don't, Green," but the murderer exclaimed, "There, you ______ scoundrel, you disgraced my children and now you must die." Palmer fired twice in rapid succession, each shot hitting Benson in a vital spot and he died while being convered to the house in a wagon.

Palmer returned to the house, reloaded his revolver and started on a run for the tules. He was not pursued and the following day Andrew Benson, the brother of the victim, offered a reward of $300 through the newspaper for his arrest. The fugitive was discovered about sunrise by a vaquero who was looking for some lost horses. Palmer was shaking and shivering with cold and hunger, having had nothing to eat since the murder. He gave himself up and was taken to Stockton, was brought before Justice McCausland and remanded to jail. He there remained until the meeting of the grand jury in May. He was then indicted on the charge of murder and the trial took place August 4, 1859.

There was considerable excitement and the courtroom was crowded, for each man had many friennds. Money was freely spent by Benson's friends and they employed E. D. Baker, the most brilliant orator and attorney in California, to assist the prosecuting attorney, Judge Campbell. Samuel A. Booker defended Palmer. The trial looked crooked from beginning to end. The prosecution put on one witness only, Dr. Hogaboom; the defense five witnesses to prove Palmer's charge. It was one of the shortest murder trials on record. At five o'clock Attorney Booker began his closing speech, ending at eight o'clock. Baker closed at 9:30. Judge Creanor delivered his charge, and the jury were locked up for the night. Twenty-four hours later they they were discharged, unable to agree, the jury standing five for murder in the first degree, which meant death by hanging, five for murder in the second degree, and two for acquittal.

The second trial took place December 12, with J. G. Jenkins and Judge Campbell for the prosecution and S. A. Booker for the defense. The case was given to the jury at 7:30 and at 1 o'clock the following day they were discharged, nine for acquittal and three for manslaughter.

In the third trial, January 3, 1860, the defense found some new witnesses. They proved to be good ones, for the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.

After the acquittal Palmer's conscience must have greatly worried him, for on January 26, while in Mokelumne City, he committed suicide by taking strychnine. His friend, J. E. Veach, running into the house at Mrs. Palmer's call, exclaimed, "Why have you done this?" And like old Adam in the Garden of Eden he replied, "This woman is the cause of all my trouble. I wish to die and get out of my misery."