Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-31
THE DYNAMITE FIEND.

ID O50I.
To the Editor Of the Herald:
From the editorials and communica.
tons in the Herald, am led to believe
that Thompson, alias Thomas, Olias
Thomsssen, is or was the person whose
identity is not yet fully established. The
writer was in Dresden during the winter
of lS69-70. The American Club was
then in its second year, and one Of its
chief supporters and leading members
was Father Thomas, q short, thick
set, genial person, with full red beard.
He lived well, entertained handsomely
and was regarded by the resident Ameri-
cans as a liberal gentleman. No sub
scription for the relief Of the poor was
without his name. 10 one instance two
young American ladies started school,
which proved unsuccessful. He called
upon them, handed them $1,000 to furn-
ish their rooms and commence again,
saying that if successful they could re-
pay him, and if not they should not re-
gard it as debt.
Father" Thomas told the writer that
he was in the Confederate service dur
ing the entire war, first as a blockade
runner, then as a soldier in Lees army,
and afterwards again blockaderu
His last service was as caterer to Lee S
army when it shuold arrive in Philadel-
phia. He received instructions from the
government to 90 to Nassau, N. P,
thence to New York and Philadelphia,
and in the latter city make arrsgements
for Lee in his Northern march. For this
purpose he received from the Confeder-
ate Government draft on their English
bankers for $4,000. In due time he or
rived at Philadelphia, and awaited Lee IS
advance. The battle of Gettysburg con-
vinced him that the rebellion was soon
to end. He saw that the North was
prosperous, while the South was bank.
rupt. AS he lost about $1,000 in. the
Confederate service, he thought it would
not be robbery to repay himself in the
best way he could. He therefore came
to New York and asked the advice Of a
prominent banker who told him to in
vest in anything but United States Gov
ernment bonds. After further inquiries
he sold his bill of $4,000 and bought
United States securities and sailed for
Europe. Upon the interest of United
States bonds, he informed me, he was
theD living.
One day Commodore Worden was in
the club, when Father Thomss said
to him: Commodore, you ruined me
once. The Tennessee Il believe that
was the name OF the blockade runnery
was loaded with cotton in Mobile hsrbor,
ready to run out by the first opportunity;
but you kept too strict watch, and one of
your mortar boats sent she'll through
her, which destroyed her and the whole
cargo. Half that cotton was mine.
The Commodore listened attentively
and then replied; Thomas, If ever |
catch you in such bad company again |
should take as much pleasure in putting
a bullet through your heart as did in
putting that bomb through the Tennes-
see"
Thomas Strengthened himself, and
throwing open his coat, said: Commo-
dore, if you ever de l shall thereat open
my coat, thus, and tell you to fire, for |
should deserve it then, as / now deserve
it for what ! have already done. am
a thoroughly reconstructed rebel."
Mr.. Curtin was then the United States
Minister at st. Petersburg. His family
were spending the winter in Dresden,
aud he came down and remained there
several weeks. Just before he left he
gave dinner to the members Of the club.
At this dinner Father" Thomas was
seated on Ex-Governor Curtin's right
hand. Mr.. Curtin's speech was deliv-
cred in one of his humorous veins, and,
il paying high compliment to Thomas,
he proposed the toast of "0ur Reunited
Country" and called upon Thomas to
reply. Thomas rose, cried like baby,
finally commanned himself spoke like a
man, and wen the hearts of all present
The above incidents do not show him
to be the devil which the originator Of
this dynamite plot most assuredly was.
1t is hard to believe that be sank so lew
! 10 six years. Yet, from the descriptions
| given iD the Herald, Father Thomas
resembles him strongly in everything but
character.