St. Landry democrat., 1882-02-04
Obituary Notice.

OBITUARY NOl1Ce.
Died, At his residence in this town, Sunday.
January 10Th, at 81 o'clock A. NJ, JAMES MAR
| SHALL THOMPSON, aged "a years.
| The deceased was born in the State of Ohio,
| and came to the parish of st. Landry in his
| early youth, where he continued to reside I'M
| til the day of his death. There were traits in
his character and events in his career which de-
| serve more than passing notice.
Soon after his arrival in st. Landry, hearing
| Of the struggle Of the infant Texas Republic,
| and inspired by a love Of adventure, he made
| his way through the wilderness to the Texas
army under General Houston just in time to
take an active part in the battle Of San JacintO.
Upon the disbanding of the Texas troops he
| returned to this parish to make it his perma-
nent home. He went to work with energy TAX
ing any employment that offered, and contin-
| ued steadily at it, until he acquired sufficient
means to attend medical lectures in the city Of
New Orleans. Having graduated in his pro-
Of the Dupre family, and located himself at
prairie Plaisance, and soon acquired an extern
sive and lucrative practice.
When the late war began he was in possession
of a handsome estate acquired by his own in
dustry and thrift
Although at this time he had q numerous
family Of small children and large interests
requiring his personal attention, he did not
hesitate, to enter personally, into the war in
which his country was involved.
He raised a cavalry company, and soon after
was elected Major of the I'd Louisiana Cavalry
Regiment and afterwards became Lieutenant
Colonel.
This regiment perhaps did harder and more
efficient service than any other in General Tay-
lor's command on this side of the river; being
often in battle and skirmishes, under the CON-
mand of Col. Thompson.
One incident in his military career will suffice
to illustrate his resolute courage.
At the assault made by the enemy upon Camp
Bisland. Col. Thompson met them upon the
breastworks and with his sword slew three
federal soldiers, before being forced back by
the heavy column of the enemy.
No officer or private during the campaign in
trans Mississippi department., made more
gallant and enyiable record than he.
At one period during the war deserters
from the regular army and Jay Hawkers be-
came so numerous and lawless as to threaten
not only country districts, but the property and
persons in the towns OF Opelousas, Washington,
and other villages in the parish,
Col. Thompson wis placed in command of
OF this point at this critical time and by his
boldness and energetic action, soon brought
security and protection to the good people
throughout this parish.
After the war was over he eudeavOred to
restore his shattered fortune, by steamboating
and mercantile pursuits.
several years, and was also a member of the
police jury, holding the office of President Tor
four or five years. In 1872 he was elected Re-
corder Of the parish and fulfilled the duties of
that office until the end OF his term.
In all the relations of life, as a citizen, as a
professional man, as a soldier, as an officer, he
acted well his part, and no known reprOach fol-
lows him to his grave,
He was indebted to his unaided efforts for
whatever success he attained in life, and among
his fellow men, he bore the character OF fidelity
to his friends and uprightness in all OF his
dealings.
In the hour of distress and danger the help
less families of absent soldiers looked to him
for protection, and he nobly responded to their
call, and when peace was restored he scrupu-
lousy fulfilled all the obligations of good citi
zen.
For several years previous to his death he
gave serious attention to the subject Of religion
and in 1873 or he became member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, Of this
place.
The Reverend 7. j. Hough. pastor of that
church, visited him repeatedly during his last
illness, and to him as well as to his children he
expressed himself as perfectly resigned and pre-
pared to die.
He fought well the battle OF life, and died in
the full assurance of Christian hope.
Peace to his ashes Ea 49