New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-06-22
The Cost Of n Kiss-TerribIe Assault on a
CLERGYMAN
[From ne Cineinnati Tlmes.l

AAEEMgAA1Aa
From the Cincinnati Tines
THE residence Of Mrs. Stevens, on Barr
street, near Baymiller, was this morning
the scene Of cutting atfray which will in
all probability prove fatal The parties to
the difficulty were the Rev. j. j. IhOmp-
son, of LeavenwOrth, Kansas, and young
man named Baum.
Mr.. Thompson will be remembered as the
pastor Of Christie Chapel for some length
of time, but during the past few years he
has been stationed at LeayenwOFth. He
arrived here some two or three weeks since,
and intended returning home to-day. He
attended church at Wesley Chapel and
Trinity Church yesterday, and at the latter
place met Mrs. Stevens and young lady,
whose name after diligent efforts, our re-
porter has been unable to learn. He, it is
said. accompanied them home, and was in
yited to cali again previous to his depart
ure from the city. Awaiting himself of a
few hours leisure, and the invitation so
kindly extended, the reverend gentleman
called again about nine o'clock this morn
ing at the residence of the lady mentioned.
In the meantime, Mr. Baum, whose first
name we have been unable to learn, also
called at the house and became engaged in
conversation with those whom he found in
the parlOr e..-
few minutes before eleven o'clock, Mr..
Thompson arose, and, stating that he must
90, bid Mrs. Stevens and Mr.. Baum good
by and then turning to the young lady at
tempted to kiss her To this proceeding
Baum objected, but Thompson paid no at
tention to the demurrer, and, the lady not
making much resistance. he succeeded.
This so enraged Baum that he rushed into
the kitchen, and Selling a Ratchet started
back to the parlOr He arrived just in time
to see Mr.. Thompson passing out Of the
front door. With anger up to fever heat,
Baum rushed at the unsuspecting parsOn
and struck him three terrible blows with
the edge Of the weapon
- The first cut sunk deep into Mr. ThOmp-
sons shoulder, the second caught the neck,
and the third took effect just above the left
temple, going through the left parietal
bone, and forcing its way into the cavity OF
the brain.
It is probable that more injuries would
have been inflicted had not the ladies', by
almost superhuman efforts, succeeded in
wrestling the Ratchet from the hands of the
would-be murderer.
Scarcely had the weapon been taken from
his hands than Baum seemed to realize
what he had done, and started on a rapid
run down Barr street to Freeman, and
thence in what direction is not known. At
any rate, he had up to noon succeeded in
Gliding the vigilance Of the officers detailed
to arrest him.
Mr.. Thompson did not seem to be at all
stunned by the terrible wounds inflicted,
and refused the solicitations of friends to
return to the house. With blood stream
ing from the cuts, he wendell his way to
Linn street. and thence to the drug store of
Mr.. Radcliffe, on the southeast corner of
Ninth and Linn streets, where he sank in
fainting fit.
There being but few cOnveniences in the
store for giving the wounded man room
in which he could be placed while the
wounds we're being dressed, he was re-
moved to the back yard of the residence
next adjoining, and Drs. Fillmore and
Greaser, who happened to be in the vicin-
itv. were summoned The injuries were
speedily examined, and that on the left side
of the head found to be the most serious.
The physicians were of the opinion that the
weapon, as already stated, had penetrated
into the cavity of the brain, and that inter
nal hemorrhage was probable, The cuts
on the shoulder and neck, while very So
we're, they did not consider as being neces-
sarily fatal.
When our reporter visited the spot he
found Mr.. Thompson sitting on a chair in
the centre of the yard, aud the physician
dressing his wounds. When this work had
been concluded, the reverend gentleman,
who, by the way, must have a very strong
nervous system, arose from his seat, and
without the least assistance, walked into
the house He had no sooner gained the
first room, however, than he sunk into
chair, faint from the loss of blood.
When our reporter left the physicians
had not made up their minds as TO what
would be the result of the injuries. If hem
orrhage can be averted, Mr.. Thompson may
recover, but if that should set in, his case
win in all probability prove fatal.
Mr.. Thompson seemed very reticent con
corning the affair, and refused to talk with
any one upon the subject. He refused to
give the name of the lady whom he had
kissed, and did not seem anxious that
Baum should be apprehended Several Of
ficers, however, are on the track of the lat
ter, and it is probable he will be taken into
custody before night. The occurrence is
certainly very deplOrable one.
A Cincinnati dispatch says of the affair
A full investigation of it by impartial
men arrives at the opinion that Baum per
formed the deed in fit Of jealousy. Baum
was an emplOye of the gas works, in a sub
ordinate capacity, and boarded with Mrs.
Sallie Shingledecker, a widow lady. At her
house, Mr.. Thompson states, that last Sat
urday evening he took tea with Mrs. Shin
pledecker, who had been one of his parish
toner's several years ago. He had just ar
rived on a brief visit Baum was present
during the visit. To-day, he says, he called
again and found Mrs. Shingledecker alone.
He staid twenty minutes and left
While at the door, Baum, whom he did
not know, rushed upon him and made an
assault with hatchet while he was in the
act Of shaking hands with the young lady.
He said Baum was concealed in the back
yard Mrs. Shingledecker makes the same
statement She says on Saturday she kissed
Mr.. Thompson in the presence Of Baum,
when he arrived at the house, but only
shook hands with him to-day. She says
Baum proposed to marry her, and she re-
fused him. Baum is about fOrtv-five years
old. He has been arrested. and makes ex,
travagant statements about his own rela-
tons with Mrs. Shmgledecker Mrs Shin
gledecker's maiden name was Stevens She
has been married twice. 1t appears that
she and Baum both were members of the
Methodist Church. In the excitement of
the affair there has been a confusion of
names Of the parties concerned. The above
are correct.