Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-07-25

aud propertyholders, he was accurate and
prompt to the last mill.
In 1858 he was elected Mayor Of ST. Joseph
and served out his term with much credit TO
himself
Such was the early business career OF Gen.
jeff. Thompson in the northwest. He was
scarcely less known or'less an object Of inter-
eest and curiosity from Boston to The Rocky
Mountains in 1860 than he IS to-day. The
qualities which might be easily overlooked by
the casual acquaintance aud stranger, but
which have given prominence to Jeii. Ihomp-
son and will maintain him to the end, are his
unconquerable energy, his careful and accurate
observation Of things in his line Of life, his pre-
else information of details and never changing
truthfuness to personal friends. Ii he eamped
but for one day in the neighborh,ol be would
know ever after where every hollow, ditch, hill
and fence in the ueighborh0oi WAS located
This typographical aud ma,hem lticiI talentio
him is absolutely wonderful, aud has proven
of the greatest ya,ue to him on many ocea-
sions. Ii it had been appreciated to its full
worth by others it might have influenced more
the greatest events in our history.
We spoke in the opening Of this article Of
Gen. Thompson as Meriwether Thompson -
Meriwelher was bis baptsmal name. But
from childhood he hal been nick-named aud
only known as Jea" When he came to
figure before the public it was matter Of the
greatest Inconvenience to hiin to be compelled
to explain that VI Thompson on paper was
JEFF. Thompson in the Gesh. He therefore
procured an act Of the Missouri Legislature
lesaliziug the name JEFF. aud he became " NJ.
JEFF Thompson"
Gen Thompson reached ST. Joseph last
night at . O'Clock, was warmly greeted by old
friends aud family lie will always be SO
greeted in this city. His stay win be brief
His duties in the South as Chief Engineer Of
the State Of Louisiana are arduous aud exact
ing aud this is the season when they must be
attended TO-. lie win be hear but q couple Of
days.-Day Commercial June 8Oh.
The St. Joseph Daily NoraiRg Herald also
contains a somewhat lengthy notice. We ex-
tract paragraph containing some names quite
familiar to our county people, aud an allusion
to the Generals peculiar characiers;ic-aiIec-
ton for relatives and friends;
Gen. Thompson came in last evening on tie
nine o'clock Hannibal and 81 Joseph train
He was raet at the depot by Df. & c. C,tlett
and Col. J. II X. Cuudi0, aud escorted 10 the
Pacific Hotel, where q large party Of friends
were awaiting his arrival. After a general
hands shaking on the pavement, he managed
10 wedge his way up stairs, and bad just
reach be the top Of the landing. when his beau
tful and accomplished daughter Molie lwho
came here week ago hew to bis arms aud
then little Martha came in far her share Of
loving: aud then his sister, Mrs J. J. Abel,
stood back uf the stairway, ju-t Whiting as
anxiously as any uf the children o. see JEFF.
As f,r " Uncle John," he has bis way. II is
very quiet way, but then bis welcome was
none the less earnest and heartfelt After this
there was no use q king of interviewing JEFF
Th"mIs n-iu fact one might as wei have
undertaken To- interview a streak Of chain
lightning. lie was among those be had loved
from infancy and in early manhood, and be
could NJ more be induced to leave them than
they could be induced 10 separate from him