The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-12-22
Tragedy in Ohio.
A NAN KILLED BY HIS BROTHER IN A FAM
lily QUARREL.

From the Columbus (Ohio) Journal
B. f. Thompson, young man
about % years of age, was arrested
on Saturday, charged with the muir
der OF his brother Jno. L. Thompson,
a man about 40 years of age, who
lived on the west side of the river,
about two miles from the city. The
Younger brother, Frank, boarded
with the elder, living as one of the
family. On Friday the two brothers
quit work in the afternoon on ac-I
count of the bad weather, and, in the
language of the accused murderer,
were lounging about home the great
er part of the afternoon. When the
children came from school, in the
evening, Mr.. John Thompson direct
ed his son, boy IL or IA years of
age, to feed and water the horses.
The boy objected to doing this,
saying that he was afraid of mare
in the stable noted for her kicking
and vicious qualities. The father in
sisted, and the boy steadily refused,
and in such a way as to anger his
father; who proceeded to chastise
him. The boy resisted, and the faith
er's anger became u sort of frenzy.
The mother seeing that her husband
was acting in a blind fury, and, fear
ing for the life of her boy, interfered.
The man turned on her with a club.
She caught this, and called for called
for assistance, in the meantime strik-
ing her husband in self-defensive
way with heavy corn-stalk. The
younger brother, Frank, ran up,
caught the infatuated father, and
hurled him awaE from the woman
and boy. Accorl Hing to the testimo-
ny of q gentlema b who passed about
this time, the two brothers became
engaged in q struggle, the older
seeming disposed to punish the other
for his interferan ce, and the younger
showing evident disposition to chas-
tise the older for the brutal treat
ment of his family. In this struggle
the older brother, John, was knock
ed down with club, and left bleed
ing near corn shock. The boy and
his mother seem to have left the
scene at or before this time. Some
time afterward Frank carried or as
sisted his broth r into the house,
stating that he hid found him under
the heels of the vicious mare. He
was bleeding and was very weak. He
was bathed and put to bed, the fami-
ly not considering his injuries very
dangerous About midnight he died.
These are about the facts as brought
out before Coroner Graver, who held
an inquest ON s aturday. The jury
returned q verdict to the effect that
the deceased cam to his death by
blows from club in the hands of
his brother, B. r. Thompson.
The accused says that while car
rying in an arrnfull of fodder he
heard his brother cry out. 81 am
gone up and heard the vicious mare
kick and struggle, and the groans of
his brother. He rushed to that part
of the stable and found his brother
under the mares heels. He dragged
him out, assisted him to the house,
and washed the blood from his face.
He proposed to go for physician,
but the injured man objected, and it
was supposed that he was not seri-
ously hurt until the time of his death
The accused also stated that family
quarrels were of frequent occurrence.
That John was a good man, but at
certain times exhibited evidences Of
a violent temper and abused his wife
and children. That his wife left him
at one time and remained absent
three months, or until she was per-
suaded to return by himself Crank
The brothers are spoken Of by al
the neighbors as good and quiet men
The deceased leaves wife and
four children.