The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-10-26
BEN THOMPSON.
What He Thinks OF Future Pros
poets in His Case.

A reporter of this paper called upOr
Ben Thompson on Sunday morning, al
the BeXar county jail, to see how the
recent news from Tyler had affected
him and to have talk about his future
intentions. He was allowed to come out
to bench in the corridor, when he chat
ted affably and good humoredly for hall
an hour. He has been placed within the
main cage, and is no longer allowed the
private cell which he occupied up to the
time when the decision of the appellate
court was made known. All of the little
comforts and conveniences which he had
arranged have been transferred to hi:
new quarters, and there are some alleged
first class hotels IN Texas whose 'spare
rooms" are furnished with less elegance
and comfort this he calls his office. Il
takes plenty of nerve and a cheerful dis
position TO treat thus facetiously so seri-
Gus subject, but he is nothing if moi
genial, and we. believe his nerve has never
been called into question. Sheriff Nc
Call says he received the disappointing
news with perfect equanimity, and
laughingly said, "Well, that's a joke
three months more free board" He OF
course had strong hopes of the successful
issue, but was wise enough not to fee
certain, and having canvassed the posi-
bilities in his mind, did not feel it SO
keenly when the rebuff came. In the
course of conversation he said:
81 feel rather pleased at the change
of course it is less pleasant for the friends
who call upon me, but, heretofore, all the
conversation has been about my case anC
il has got to be an old story with me-
Now can chat with the other prisoner:
about their particular troubles, and il
varies the monotony. l no longer note
the passage of time ali days are alike tc
me, and they pass quietly and pleasant
ly."
In answer to a question as to his efforts
for Il change of venue, he replied
81 shall, of course, use every effort tC
that end from this time out, and fully
believe that / can establish my right to 8
trial outside of Bexar county. The pros
ecution will, of course, labor to prevent
it, but believe l can secure that much
chance anyhow"
In reply to queries of the reporter re
garding his chances of eventual acquittal
he said:
81 do not believe any jury, even here
VIII even DrlnS III VeTulCC against me
My case is too plain, and / expect tC
emerge from here free man."
In regard to his future intentions,
should he be acquitted, he said 81 in
tend to sell out my business, make 6
cleanup and buy farm just out of Aus
tin, and bid my public career final fare
well. have enough both in experience
of this world and its profitable result to
content me, and / wish to settle down
quietly for the remainder of my life"
He also told his interrogation that Lee
Tarleton, of the prosecution, came TO cal
on him the other day, just to make sure
of the fact that he was Gagged, and
tried to make him feel some new
or increased danger in his position
but he came to the wrong shop
The recent developments regarding the
past history of B. 1. Boone, partner Of
Tarleton and one of the prosecution, will
not tend to give. much weight to his eff
forts. In conclusion Ben said "Tel
all my friends that l am as contenteG
and satisfied as any man could be under
such circumstances" aud he also wished
to thank his Austin friends for their many
kind expressions of sympathy and theil
eff L. to