Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-05
AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.
Bloody Murder and Suicide ut Spring
field, MO.-A Widow Cuts her
Daughters Throat with n Ra-
zOr, and then Takes her
Own Life.
Special to the St. Louis Republican,

Special to the ST. Louis Republican
SPRINGFIELD, May 30.-One of the most
horrible and heart-rending affairs that ever
took place III Springfield occurred here at
about the hour of eleven o'clock last night, at
which time lady who had attained an envi-
able position in society and was well known
to many in the city, in fit of temporary in
sanity butchered her own daughter, and be-
fore the crime was known or even suspected
by others, she cut her own throat and died
almost instantly. The chief actors in this
sad affair were Mrs. T. M. Thompson, aged
about forty-seven years, and her daughter,
Miss Matte B. Thompson, about sixteen
years OF age, who lived with Mrs. w. III.
Lawson, On East Walnut street, near the
center of the city. Mrs. Lawson is also a
to Hiss Nettie. The relations be-
tween the mother and daughter were
always the most pleasant, and Mrs. Lawson
seemed to enjoy the company Of her mother
ard sister more, from the fact that her hus-
band is necessarily absent greater portion
of the time, as he is travelling salesman for
st. Louis house, and is at present in st.
Louis. Mrs. Thompson had been i'll until
within a week or so, when she had so far re-
covered as to be able to make calls, and was,
apparently, in the best of health and spirits
Yet to some she admitted that she was de-
spondent and unhappy, but could assign no
reason therefor. Last night the family
SecLuSu UNUSUALLY Hdppyy lIOHl Lie IdCL GudL
the old lady appeared in better spirits than
they had known her in months. and little did
Mrs. Lawson suspect that the morrow would
find such sorrow and desolatlon at her house.
Mrs. Lawson's room adjoined that Of her
mother and sister, and it had been her Gus
tom to sleep with the door open that separa-
ted them. Last night Mrs. Lawson retired
about ten o'clock with the door open as usual,
and Miss Nettie went to her bed at about the
same hour, the old lady remaining up and
occupying her time by reading until
both of her daughters were asleep.
Then she closed and bolted the
door that led to Mrs: Lawson's
was in the room proceeded, without further
ceremony, to her sleeping daughter and drew
the bright, sharp blade across her throat,
cutting deep and horrible cash, almost sew
ering the head from the body, from which,
OF course, Nettie died almost instantly with
scarcely a struggle. After accomplishing
this the old lady, who was in a standing po-
sition over the bed, drew the same weapon
once or twice across her own throat, quite
severlng the jugular vein, after which she
fell forward on the floor and expired instantly,
the razor falling from her hand on the bed. The
noise of the gurgling sound from the dying
women had partially aroused Mrs. Lawson,
but not till the old lady fell was she fully
awakened, and then she found herself in the
dark and the door between herself and moth
err closed, which she finally forced open, and
then fancy the sight that she beheld! Mother
and sister both lying dead and the bed and
floor drenched with blood. She had presence
of mind enough, however, to call for as
sistance, and instantly run to the houses of
DR.. Clements and Mayerfelows, which were
near by, and as she returned to her own gate
she fell In a swoon, from which she only re-
covered to-day, and her life was despaired of
during the night. The neighbors who were
made acquainted with the affair rendered
their services and rendered all the help that
could be done, and to-day many kind hands
have been at work in ministering to the wants
of Mrs. Lawson and preparing the bodies of
Mrs. and Miss Thompson for burial. A
coroner's jury viewed the bodies this morn
ing and returned verdict in accordance
with the above facts. Nothing has occurred
for many years to cast such gloom over the
city. Miss Nettie was student in Drury
college, and had many admirers of her mod
est and lady-like qualities The funeral will
take place tomorrow at eleven o'clock.