Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-01-28
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1876.
Death of EX-GOV. Francis Thomas.

The Hon. FRAkc1s THOMAS, ex.
Governor Of Maryland, was acciden'
tally killed on the 22l Of January
1876, about 5 o'clock in the after
noon, near Frankville, his residence in
Garrett county, by his being run over
by an extra engine Of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad going east, his body
being hurled from the track, and his
skull crushed. At the scene of the
fatal occurrence there is sharp curve
on the track, and to this fact is at
tributed the inability Of theunfortu'
nate man to become acquainted with
the danger that Imperfect his life
and the same cause operated also tc
prevent the engineer from seeing him
IN time 10 check the speed Of the To-
comotive. Since his return from Peru,
Governor Thomas has resided at his
country seat, near Frankville, his
dwelling being situated nearly on the
summit of mountainous district
The remains were al once removed to
the late residence Of the deceased.
Gov. Thomas has figured conspicuous
ly in the past years Of Maryland
politics.
Deceased was a son Of Colonel John
Thomas of the Merryland Tract, and
a grandson Of Francis Thomas. lie
was born at the ancestral homestead
near Petersville, on the 81 of Februa
~, 1899. lie was educated at st.
Johns College, Annapolis. He read
law in the Office of the late Frederick
A. Schley, Frederick. His taste was
for politics, and he did not seem to
court the dry details of law. As soon
as he obtained his majority lie launch
ed out into the sea of partisan politics.
In 1922, the same year that John Lee
was elected to Congress from this Dis
trict, Francis Thomas was chosen one
of the four members to represent
Frederick county in TIE House of
Delegates, his colleagues being Henry
Kemp, William P. Farquhar and John
Fisher. lie warmly espoused the cleo
ton Of Gen. Andrew Jack for Pre-
sident in 1924. In 1927 he was again
elected to the House Of Delegates from
this county, his colleagues being Mich
olas Ioltz, Isaac Shriver and David
Kemp. In 1928 he again was a can
didate for the House Of Delegates, but
this year he was defeated-the Adams
and Clay ticket, VIM. S. Mcpherson,
jacob Shriver, David Bowlu5 and
Evan McKinstry, was elected by 400
majority. In 1929, after jackson
and Reform" triumphed in the Ma
tional Government, the Jackson Re-
publican ticket again succeededin this
county, and Mr.. Thomas elected to the
House of Delegates. This year he was
chosen Speaker.
In 1881 commenced his Congress-
ional career. lie was elected to the
House of Representatives this year by
about 500 majority over VIM. Price,
Of Washington co. lie was reelected
in 1888, 1885, 1887 and 1889, sery-
ing ten years in Congress.
In 1911 he ran as the Democratic
candidate for Governor Of Maryland,
defeating Hon. Vim. Cost johnson,
his Wing opponent, by some 800 or
400 votes. lie went to Annapolis,
and was inaugurated Governor of the
State, with every prospect of a plea
SAINT and happy career. He appoint
ed Hon. John G. Legrand, Of Balti-
more, has Secretary Of State. Being
an old bachelor of 43, in 1872 he
married Miss Sallie Campbell Preston
Mcdowell, the beautiful and accom-
plished daughter Of Gov. James Nc
Dowell, of Rockbridge county, Vir-
ginia, and niece of Senator Benton
Of Missouri, and Senator William G.
Preston, of S. G. The union did not
prove happy one. Domestic difficult
ties ensued. The green-eyed monster
jealousy, obtained control over the
better part Of his nature, which in
volved him in a labyrinth Of domestic
woes. His wife, believed to be virtu-
Gus and innocent, young and vivaclous,
obtained divorce, and separation
took place. She afterwards married
Rev. Mr.. Miller, a Presbyterian min
lister Of philadelphia.
In 1861, Gov. Thomas, during the
war OF .he Rebellion, emerged from