The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-17

Claims. qualified to-day and received his comm sson
Immediately after.
DISAPPEARANCE OF COLONEL MIKE THOMPSON,
A LEADING MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT BAR
FISANcIAL TROUBLES THE cAUsE-FEARs OF
INSANITY.
lively sensation was produced IN local legal
circles to-day ny the discovery that Colonel Mike
Thompson. for many years OF tho loading mem
bers Of the District Bar had disappeared and also
that his affairs In very confused
condition. Colonel Thompson styled The Chester
field Of tho Washington Bar. His principal practice
has been IN divorce cases. which he has been very
successful, and II is known that he had amasscd
great deal OF property. or late years he has fire.
queny been appointed trustee OF estates and guardian
for minors by the courts and IL was ascertained to-
day that he had used moneys arising from this source
for hs personal wants. and has failed 10 make re-
turn when called upon
The attorneys TOR tue Do Vaughn estate, for which
he was tho trustee filed motion last week TO compel
MIN to mako settlement, wnicn the Court Instructed
him do but 10 tho surprise OF all he failed 10 turn
over tho money. II is generally believed that hc has
bankrupted himself during tho past two years, but
how he has gotten rid OF his property and
money is enshrouded in mystery. II Is found
that the Thompson Law Buildings, very valuable
piece Of property opposite the Patent Office, worth
S4o0 900, is heavily mortraged as also nil the rest OF
his properly, real and personal. Even his library
has been pledged to obtain money. IL appears
that be sold house on Pennsylvania avenue last
week for SIS 600 cash ana that he left the city the
following Gay. Tho next heard from him was
through a letter received by newspaper reporter,
dated Philadelphia, but which had been mailed In
Harrisburg, in which he said that whilc on tho
way to that city he had been robbed OF $4,000.
He added that ne had left Washington to obtain rest
that had he would 20 mad, and that he
had fears OF being driven 10 insanity. He intinatcd
his troubles had their origin In being unable to
obey the mandate OF the Court and making settle
ment OF the De Vaughn estate. As no was not given
to any excssses and was a particularly tenn
perate man, IL not known how hc
became so embarrassed. HIS friends say they
have no doubts that he is temporarily insane. His
wife and family knew nothing OF his troubles until
to-day nor do they know now where no has gone,
nor for going, except what is stated In the
iettor AS soon MS u wns received here they sent
friend TO Harrisburg ieavor have him return
home.
REWARD FOR LIFE SAVING sERvIcE-MEDAL
CONFERRED ON LIEUTENANT THEoDonUs b.
NJ MASON, U. g. N.
A resolution passed by Congress on Saturday
last authorizing the acceptance OF medal conferred
by King Victor Emmanuel Lieutenant Theoaorus d.
NJ. Mason, OF the Navy (now instructor OF light
artillery tactics at the Naval Academy system OF
drill prepared by HIM end adopted by The
Department., In recognition OF bis service
in going with sailors, oil volunteers,
when Fling Lieutenant Of tho south Pacific squadron,
on board into the lower hold OF tho Italian bark
Deaidc, lying nrc In tho Haroor OF aiao loaded
with powder ana railroad supplies, rolling aside the
kcgs and cxt,nguishng the lre with bcock's Extin-
guisnors. Lieutenant Mason had formerly received
the Gold Medal OF the Humane Society ana tho Order
OF the Rose IRON the Emperor OF Brazil for service In
saving lifc and interested himself 10 improvements
In life saving apparatus for coast ordinary IRE
service