Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-01-29
Death of Hon. Francis Thomas.

Our TPaQeT5 Will nedi W ith uuiSi SuSN
regret the intelligence of the sad death
of Hon. Francis Thomas, the result of
an accident which occurred on Saturday
afternoon last The facts are these:
He was standing on the railroad track at
Frankville, station named after him
on the B. q o. Railroad, and seeing
train approaching, he stepped on the
other track in order 10 avoid it, but at
that moment another train going in an
opposite direction passed, and struck
him, knocking him about twenty feet,
killing him instantly, but strange as it
may seem, his body was not mutilated,
nor were there any ZONES broken. Mr.
Thomas was too well known in this
community to need at our hands any
thing like an extended biographical
sketch of his eventful life. He was
born at Petersville, in this county. on
the 3rd of February, 1899, consequent
ly he was rapidly approaching his 18th
year. In 1922, when quite a young
man, he was elected to the Legislature
as an Independent candidate from this
county, there being at that time on
party organizations; end was again elect
Ell in 1928 on a party ticket, and was
made speaker of'the House of Dele
gates. In 1881 he was elected to Con.
gress, where he served with much
ability for five successive terms. In
1871 he was elected Governor of Mary
land, beating VIM. q. Johnson, the
Wing candidate by small majority.
During that year, he also married Miss
Mcdowell, daughter Of Gov. Mcdowell
of Virginia. At the expiration Of his
guhernatorial term he retired to private
life, from which he did not emerge un-
til the outbreak of the late rebellion,
when he was elected as the Union can
didate to the special Congress called by
Mr.. Lincoln in 1861, and was reelected
four times. lie was great admirer of
Nj. Lincoln, whose confidence he pos
esscd in a large degree, He also en-
joyed the confidence and respect of his
associates in Congress, and it was
through his instrumentality and inf1u-
ence that the body Of Federal troops,
known as the "Home Brigade" was or
gained. At the end Of his Congress
ional career, he was appointed Internal
Revenae Collector by President Grant
for this district, but resigned in the
course Of a year or so, and returned to
his home at Frankville, in Allegany
county. In short time, however, af
ter his resignation as Collector of In
ternal Revenue, the President again in
1878. summoned him from private life
by appointing him Minister to Peru, at
which post he remained until about six
months ago when he returned 10 this
country, with the intention, he said, of
spending the remainder Of his life amid
the quite but picturesque scenes o. his
"Mountain Home" Mr. Thomas, be-
fore leaving for Peru, gave ample di-
rections, for his burial in the event of
his dying whilst abroad He ordered
a very handsome tombstone, which was
manufactured by Mr.. John E. Siiford,
of this place, upon which is inscribed
his name, the date of his birth, leaving
space for the date of his death, also for
an inscription, written by himself,
which is in the hands Of a gentleman
Of this city. He also directed that his
remains should be inferred by. the side
of his father and mothor in the Gene.
terry at Petersville, his native place; and
in accordance with these instructions,
Mr.. JOHN L. Sifford, to whom they
we're given, left here yesterday for
Cumberland-where the remains are
having been placed in vault there
for the purpose of having them convey
ed to Petcrsville for interment, which
will take place to day. Thus, has pass
ed away, under circumstances of pecu-
liar sadness, the most remarkable man
Maryland ever produced. We have
endeavored to give orr readers, though
briefly, the prominent events of his
eventful life. He was a man of great
ability, and those of our citizens who
have seen him in the Yigor of his earIi-
er manhood, can never blot from their
memories the impression his command
ing presence produced upon their
minds, nor can they ever forget the
deep and thrilling pathos of his elo-
quence when aroused in debate with a
political antagonist. Mr.. Thomas was
lawyer by profession, in which he
arose to great distinction. He was a
firm believer in the Christian religion
and was member of the Episcopal
Church. He leaves one sister, Mrs.
Blackburn, who resides at Knoxville,
in this county; also number Of. neph-
ews and uieces.-frederick, Md.,
Times.