Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-10-24

LoUIsyrLLe. Ky. Sept. l2.-The Con-
/ ggessional canvass in The Eighth Ken
lucky district. now represented BY the
Hon. Milton J. Durham, has been Of
almost unprecedented interest IN this
State. The convention was held this
morning, ard Philip Thompson, Jr.. Of
Mercer county. was selected as the can
didate Of the party.
In March. 1878. case was called IN
the Circuit Court Of Mercer, beng the
suit Of Theodore Davies. hiahir sarss.l
/. 81 nEe4z saE ~ u I1N county, il Sti41 -
covery Of some s.. 00OIoaned BY Davies
to Philip Thompson, Sr.s tather Of to-
days nominee.
Philip Thompson, Sr., and Davies
were neighbors, and had been the most
intimate Of friends. The second son OF
Davies had been named for Thompson,
and Thompson's second son, in return,
was christened Theodore Davies Thomp-
son. The money was loaned in some
| friendly transaction, and q note was
given as hardly more than a matter Of
form. II was not paid at maturity, but
Davies did not ask for payment until
long after, when bis necessities COM
PEELED the request. Thompson, law
yer in large practice, was at the time
Commonw ealth's attorney of The dis
trict. His canvass bad cost him heayi-
", and he was, besides, free liver and
liberal in entertaining, after the hospi-
table fashion OF about every Kentuckian
OF social or political prominence. He
asked for further time and the matter
was not pressed.
But Davies, sohe afterwards charged.
one day had occasion to look over bis
papers, and Thompson's note was miss
| Ing. He walked over to Thompson's
house, told Of its loss and asked for an
other note. Thompson, his amaze
ment, said that the note had long since
been paid, and, if recollect Alright, pro-
duced the original paper. Davies went
home dazed, instituted an investigation
and finally became convinced that
Thompson had had access to the desk
where the note had been kept and had
taken ii away. The old farmer was
choleric; the intimacy of years could not
survive the shock; he thought himself
sure in the conviction of bis friends
dishonesty, and, hurrying TO town, en-
tered suit on the ncte, charging the
grievous crime above named. The COM
muniiy was gravely excited over the ac-
cusation, and when the case came up
for trial the courtroom was densely
crowded.
Theodore Dawes sat on one side Of
the judges bench, within the bar, and
Philip Thompson. Sr., just opposite to
him, facing the jury. Beside bis father,
Theodore Davies, Jr., sat, by all ac-
counts an admirable young fellow ,,quiet,
modest, of perfect habits, and affianced
to young girl of Harrodsburg. Theo-
dore 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
about to retire, and the dense silence
with which The progress Of The case had
been watched By the assembly Of friends
of both parties was even more strained
| as the faces of the twelve were scanned
to Judge of their probable decision.
At that moment a commotion half
way down the court room turned all
eyes thither. Young Philip Thompson
Davies andPhilip Thompson, Jr., who
was nominated for Co: sress to-day and
was then county attorney Of Mercer,
had been talking earnestly beside the
stove, on the west side Of the room, as
the case was nearing its end. Sudden
ly both started hurriedly down one of
the side aisles leading TO the main
aisle, Thompson little in front. Both
had their right hands on the pistol pock-
ct. Theodore Davies and his elder son
| jumped TO their feet, and the Thomp-
sons, father and son, opposite, were al
ready standing. The elder Davies
started down the aisle, but as be got 10
! the centre of the room q shot was heard
in the vesiibule outside, whittier The
two young men had gone.
The old man stopped, shouted, "It is
a conspiracy" and drew hrs pistol
| Before he could raise the hammer
there was another shot and he fell dead
where he stood. The young Theodore
had followed him and was al his side
as he fell. The audience, too familiar
with what Is certain TO follow when
pistols are drawn in any part Of Ken
tucky, dropped as one man behind
benches. Judge WickliHe-another
honored Kentucky name-rose and
shouted warning. but with no effect.
Shot after shot followed in such quick
succession that all was over almost be-
fore his voice could be heard.
Young Theodore Davies, his face, as
il has been described 10 me, white even
beyond description. and ferrely set,
stood over The dead body of his father.
The elder Thompson was behind = post
on the left Of him as he stood; Theodore
Thompson behind post to the right,
and Philip Thompson, JF., back Of Elm,
bv the door. Their three pistols emp
tied bullet alter bullet toward him, but
he still escaped harm. Slowly be fred
shot after shot in return. turning q third
around as each time he raised the ham,
mer, until the SIX loads were gone
Each bullet lodged in the posts behind
which were the other two, or in the
jamb Of The door 10 the yesfIbuIe. Then
he reached down, took the heavy Colt
from bis dead fathers nerveIess grasp,
and again. with marvellous deliberation
and precision, emptEed IFS six loads in
succession. turning, as before, third
around toward each opD0nenf as he