The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-14
KILLED IN An OPEN COURT.
AsTORr WHTCH. ron TiHIOUS REASONS.
WAS MEIER BEFORE FUZZY rom.


Hon 10. blackburn Never "a ade, aud Why.
LOUISVILLE KY, Sept. i2.--rhe Congress
sional canvass in the Eghth Kentucky District.
now represented by the Hon. Milton J. Dur
ham. has been Of almost unprecedented interest
in this State. Mr. Durham early announced
himself candidate for denomination. hut there
was vigorous opposition. and, when tho Demo-
cratic Convention met several weeks ago. Dur
ham had not sufficient strength to secure the
necessary vote. After several days Of fruitless
balloting the Convention broke up and all the
candidates were left free field. Tho canvass
has since developed such bitterness. one OF its
episodes being what threatened 70 become
serious personal controversy between MIR.
Durham and the Hon. Henry Watterson. editor
OF the C0urier-.JoUpdl-so much political vitriol
was thrown broadcast that it was decided To
reassemble the Convention and nut regular
nominee before the district. That Convention
was held this morning. and Philip Thompson.
Jr.. OF Mercer County. WAS selected as the candi-
date Of the party. The district is so strongly
Democratic that the nomination of tho Conven-
ton is ordinarily equivalent To an election. But
against Philip Thompson will be recalled tho
incidents Of the most shocking tragedy that has
ever occurred even in this State Of extraordinary
tragedies and whether it will defeat him or not
the issue can only show
Philip Thompson is member Of very noted
Kentucky family. His grandfather represented
one Of its districts in the Congress of 1928
and "A relative was President of the United
States. Both his fathy ana himself have oc-
cupied notable official positions in the State.
He is connected 10y blood or marriage with most
Of the best families of Kentucky and Virginia
aud is himself a man of much moro than the
usual ability. Blu, the blood of boyhood's
l.. Ifa n ,ur
acquitted him on the ground Of self-defencc
there are very many people in Kentucky who
refused to accept THAT decision. and among them
is probably the Hon. J. c. ;. Blackburn. who. II
Mr. Thompson is elected will sit with him In
tho Kentucky delegation 10 the Forty-sixth
Congress.
In March. 1873 case was called in the Cir
cult Court of Mercer. being tho suit OF Theo-
dore Davies highly respected farmer Of the
county. for the recovery of some $4,000
loaned 10y Davies TO Philip Thompson Sr..
father Of to-day's nominee. Philip Thomp-
son. Sr. and Davies were neighbors. and
had been tho most intimate of friends. The
second son of Davies hal been named for
Thompson. and Thpmpson's second son. in re-
turn. was christened Theodore Davies Thomp-
son. The money was loaned in some friendly
transaction. AMI note was given as hardly
more than matter Of form. II was not paid ut
maturity. hut Davies did not ask Tor payment
until long alter. when his necessues compelled
the request. Thompson. "A lnwyer IN largo prar-
tee, was at the time Commonwealth 5 Attorney
of the district. His canvass had cost him heav-
lily. and he was. besides. "A free liver, and liberal
In entertaining after the hoSpifnble fashion Of
about every keutuckian of social or political
prominence. He asked for further time. aud
the matter was not pressed But Davies So he
afterward charged one day had occasion TO
look over his papers and Thompson's note was
missing. He walked over to Thomps on's house.
fp11 Of it, md nal nl fAr nar nf.fa
Thomson. 20 has ama1smsnt. said that the note
had long since been paid. and. II recoll.'t
hrlght, produced the original paper. Dawes
went home dazed. instituted an Investigation.
and finally became convinced thni Thompson
had had access to the desk where the note had
been kept and had taken II away. The o,d
farmer was chOGric; the intimacy OF years could
not survive the shock he thought himself sure
IN the conviction OF his friends dishonesty. and.
hurrying to town, entered suit on the note,
charging tho grievous cri me above named.
The community WIS grayey excited over tho
accusation IN. and when the case came up for trial.
the court room WAS densely crowded;
Theodore Davies sat on ono side 81 the
Judges h.within the bar and Pm lip Thomp-
son, ST., Just opposite TO him facing the Jury.
Beside his father. Theodore Davies, Jr, sat. by
all accounts an admirable young fellow, quiet.
modest. OF perfect habits and aifianced 10 a
young girl Of Harodsburg Theodore Davies
Thompson was seated next To his father. and
also facing the father and Son opposite. The
arguments had been made, the evidence seemed
strong against the defendant the Jury was
which the progress Of the case had been
watched 10y the assembly Of friends to both
faces OF the twelve were scanned to Judge Of
their probable decision; At that moment
turned all eyes thither. Young Philip Thomp.
son Davies and Philip Thompson. Jr., who
was nominated for Congress to-day. and was
then County Attorney Of Mercer. had been talk
ing earnestly beside the stove. on the west side
OF the room, as the case was nearing lis end.
Of the side asles leading TO the main aisle,
Thompson little in front Both had their right
hands on the pistol pocket Theodore Davies
1hompsons. father and son, opposite. were
already standing. TIE elder Davies started
down the aisle, but as he got to the centre of the
room shot was heard In the vestbue outside
whittier the two young men had gone.
and ,i"t drsw s Reiors ne cdd
raise the hammer there was another shot, and
he fell dead where he stood. The young Theo-
he fell The audience, too familiar with what
is certain to follow when pistols are drawn
basd part 9 hssn'uGIS sSsa ong @4
honored Kentucky name-rOse and shouted
warning but with no effect Shot after, shot
followed in such quick succession that all was
over almost before his voice could be heard.
Young Theodore Davies his face as it has
been described to me white oven beyond descrp-
ton and iiercely set, stood over the dead body
OF his father. The elder Thompson was behind
thompson behind post ito the right, and Philip
Thompson, Jr back OF him, by the door. Their
,.ree pistols emptied bullet after bullet toward
shot after shot IN return. turning a third
around as each time he raised the hammer.
until the SIX loads were gone. Each bullet
lodged in the posts behind which were the
other two, Or in the Iamh If the door to the
vestibule. Then he reached down, took the
heavy Colt from his dead fathers nerveless
grasp, and ngaln. with marvellous delibcraton
aud precision, empti"d lis six loads in success
sion turning as before, a third around to-
ward ench opponent Hs he fired Each
shot lodged Itself in the heavy timbers
Neither OF the Thompsous was hit ana he
himself stood unwOunded. Then he snapped
the weapon once or twice. unmlndful thai lis
cartridges were useless. and then h. backed
slowly toward the door still a target as he
moved for two fresh pistols in the hands Of the
two before him. II was alterward urged that
the ThompsOns must each have been armed
with two or more weapons when they entered
tho court The number OF shots fred would
prove this.
As hc reached the vestbule door Theodore
Davies turned. Philip Thompson. Jr, in front
81 nm, and both moved out into the open AIR,
Lying At the foot Of the steps WAS the dead body
Of his Younger brother Philip. The first shot
heard had been fatal 20 the boyle was not 20
yet-and be- plunged forward like II log out Of
NE door as the bullet. found its way TO
ms heart. The aim had been strangely
true for both the elder and the younger Davies.
mo boy had been wild and reckless. but the
.lIer brother had Hp0lOglXrd for the yOungeT's