Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-04-01


plished rascal, named THOMPSON
fugitive from Kentucky, after swlnd-
ling two or three landladies, and
some half a dozen Of the leading no.
tel keepers Of that city. In one in
stance he represented himself TO a
Iandlady as a rich California mer-
chant, won her affections, got pos
session of her gold watch, and alter
inducing her to break up housekeep-
ing, to go with him to California. he
gave her the slip. The watch was
found on his person when arrested.
In another instance he hired horse,
worth $l25, to ride out for the ben
eft of his health, and sold him for
$25. At the United States Hotel,
under the name of CHANDLER, he
hired a suite of rooms for bis sister
and brother-in- law, who, he stated,
were coming from Baltimore, but
train after train arrived without
them, and finally he went to Mr..
ALLEN, the proprietor, and informed
him tina. by the delay he had run out
of money, and requested the loan Of
$50. which was promptly handed
him--he giving his check. He iD-
stantly disappeared, and the check
was subsequently, found to be worth
less. At several other hotels he
played similar tricks, under different
names, and when arrested had vari-
Gus burglarious instruments in his
possession. The North American
says:
Thompson is one OF the smartesl,
shrewdest. coolest, and most despe-
rate criminals in the country. He
is an American, Of Southern extrac.
ton, and is a man OF education and
extensive travel and observation
His family is highly respectable. and
in his younger days he made the tour
of Europe. He has visited. in his
day, almost every part OF the United
States. Once he had wealth, and
there was no occasion for him ia do
wrong 10 supply himself with pecu-
mary means. Circumstances, per-
haps, made him criminal. He ear
ly acquired a passion for gambling,
and PLAYED high ard risked much.
In 1888. while in Washington city,
where he had resided for a number
of years, he lost $4,000 at the ga
ming table. He grew desperate and
per9etrated the first forgery OF Treas
ury notes. For this he was arrested
and committed to prison at the capi-
tai, under the name OF Henderson.
He broke jail and fed West and
down the Ohio. At Cincinnati, a
gambler, with whom he had quarrel
ed, informed on him and had him ar
rested. He was taken back TO Wash
ington, tried, and sentenced to ten
years. imprisonment. In lS43. after
he had served four years, President
TYLER pardoned him.
After leaving the Washington len-
itentiary, he went South, and follow
ed sporting. In New Orleans he
married the widow of a we'll known
officer Of volunteers in our city, who
lost his life by exposure in the South
waFk riots.
In 1916, he was arrested in Louis
vile, KY, where he had lived for
about year, for some forty robbie
ries at the Calf House, and other no.
tells. The money and other proper
ty stolen by him amounted to a hea-
Wy sum. He made a compromise,
and plead guilty to certain number
Of bills, out OF twenty five indict-
meats against him, on which he was
sentenced to five years in the Frank
fort penitentiary. Previous 10 his
trial he broke Jail, and was recaptur-
ed at New Orleans. His wife, after
his detection and conviction, procur-
ed divorce from him, and married
again.
After serving out about half Of his
sentence, he one day threw snuff
into the keepers eyes, and ran out Of
gate. They fred al him, and he
quickly broke down, and was re-ta.
ken. For this attempted escape, he
received two years more. Again.
after serving his original sentence. all
to nine months, on the 5th of July
last, he, in company with two other
convicts, escaped, and had been at
large until captured by the Marshal's
police.
Among the members of the Maine
Legislature, is stout, fat, athletic 'strot-
fer" bv the name of Joe Socbasin. who