Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-07-06
The Cincinnati Uatehet Romance.

The Cincinnati Watchet Romance.
REV. J. y. THOMPSON AND THE WIDOW SHIN
GlEDECkER-lN DANGER OF DEATH FOR A
PARTING KISS.
On the Cd instant, T. L. Bond, accused of as
saulting the Rev. j. J. Thompson. with a
Ratchet with intent TO Kill him. was brought
into court in Cincinnati for n preliminary eS-
animation. Mr.. Thompson had so far recov-
cred Nom his wounds a. 60 be out, and during
the greater part of the time they were waiting,
SAYS the Cincinnati Enquirer, he and Mrs. Shin
gledecker were sitting on one OF the benches In
me City Hail park, adIniring the graceful inter
twinings OF the mermaid and the dolphin which
ornament the fountain in that sh AIDED inclosure
A few minutes before the case was called they
appesred IN the courtroom. MIR. Thompson
showed the evidences Of his encounter in an
ugly scar, only partially healed up, across the
left temple, reaching from the eve 10 the tip of
his ear, and in another scar across his forehead
that Was about healed. Mrs SLIng!edecksr ap-
peared little nervous on entering the court
loom, but soon overcome her womanly weak
ness ana was As composed as any one present.
She was dressed in full suit of black, rather
coquettish, perhaps, for mourning and for a
lady OF her years. but still very pretty withal
She was escor ted also by her brother.
THE PRISONER
sat AZ the bar by the side of his counsel looking
composed enough at times, but at other times
with wild expression on his countenance that
was painful to contemplate. During the pro-
gress OF the case he frequently addressed his
counsel but his communications with the court
were all made through him. At the time Mr.
IhcmPSon was giving his testimony, Bond
PAINFUL to locker on. The counsel for Bond
said his client had determined 10 waive an ex-
animation, but the counsel for the prosecution
objected in a speech of some length, in the
course of which he reviewed the circumstance
OF the case, and cOntended that
NO IMPROPER RELATIONS
nau eNsI eAlsted between the Rev. Mr.. Thomp-
son ana Mrs. Shingledecker. After describing
the location of the room i'm which Bond found
the Rev. Mr.. Thompson and Mrs. s., be said:
II me dinlng room doors were AS the defend
m Is ali .rt,s
alar'-any improper conduct in that room would
necessltate the closing OF the window shutters
no one with ordinary sense would leave il open,
as any person looking in from the street could
command view of the entire room. IL cannot
be assumed that these parties, il engaged in
improper conduct, were so reckless as to leave il
open. AT the conclusion of his address Judge
Straub proposed that they should have a partial
nearing of the case in order to hear the tcsti-
mony OF the injured man, and at the same time
10 listen to any statement the accused might
wish to make. After that the accused might
waive any further examination, and be held to
appear before the higher court.
WHAT MR.. THOMPSON SAID.
Mr.. Thompson then took the stand and said
mat on Monday, the 18th of June, he WAS
sround making some calls on his old parishion-
ers, on Barr street. While in that neighborhood
be called to rec Mrs. Shingledecker, he having
noticed, in his clerical experiences, that If a
pastor didn't call on all the members Of his flock
In certain locality those who were omitted
were apt to feel bad. He had been making ten
minutes call there, during which time he saton
tIe SOFA and Mrs. Shingledecker on q chair near
by. He had stood at the door perbaps three
minutes, when he was suddenly felied by a blow
by whom inflicted he did not know. Somehow
ne GOT out OF doors, when he noticed some clot-
yea blood on his left hand. He had no distinct
recollection OF going up street, but remembered
recognizing brick livery stable at the corner
OF oth and Linn streets. The next thing he re-
me mberedw was going into a store of some kind
nc uid not knoV what, at the corner of 9th and
Linn streets. and asking to have his wounds
dressed. There he remembered the doctors
sewing up one OF the wounds, but after that all
After the physician had testified to the nature
OF the wounds inflicted by Bond Mr. THOMPSON
was recalled, and stated, in answer to questions
pected to leave the city; tha he was there not
over fifteen minutes. and that nothing improper
took place. The judge reduced Bonds bail to
So,ooo, and the case was concluded, no bonds
men appearing in the prisoners behalf. Before
the court adjourned
LETTER PROM BOND TO THOMPSON
was handed to the judge in which among other
convalescent and in your usual health For
!, me last day or two my mind, 1 think, has been
better, and my senses seem to be coming
clearer. For days, weeks and months nv
brain has been on fire, caused by my devotion
to that wicked woman. Crazed, driven to
desperation. reason has given away. 1 was no
longer, Brother Thompson, in my right mind.
or should not have done as did. / have,
during the night past, tried to seek Code for
giveness for what have done to Him, and the
wrong to you. You can we'll fancy what nv
thoughts have been and the miserable con-
dition in which am placed. Even now nv
head pains, and can hardly see out Of nv
eyes. The devil must have been busy within
me and had control of me, or would not have
committed such greviOus wrong. 1 think il
would be best If we could see each other, as 1 |
have proposition to make to you which, / |
think, will be acceptable. You can bring a |
friend. Without any guile toward you, and |
sorrow for what has passed, 1 must close. |
Hoping that you will receive this in the spirit it
is written, remain, Brother Thompson in the |
bonds OF Christian love, &C."
After the case was concluded, Mrs. shingle-
decker, accompanied by Mr.. Thompson and /
her brother, proceeded out of the side door. |
On their way down stairs the parson and the |
widow shook hands with fondness three or four |
times, after which they separated, she going |
put through the park, while he remained, as he |
said, to see Judge Straub again before leaving |
the city. In giving an account of the examna- |
non the cincinnati Enquirer says: " II there is
one weakness to which Mr.. Thompson is ad- |
iicted, 1t is that Of bidding farewell to his |
friends"