Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-08-31
EMMA THOMPSON,
Died August n, 1858,
Aged IS.

EMMA THOMPSON.
Died August q, 1853.
Aged 7s.
A few minutes after four hearse and a
single cab drew up to the door Of the un-
dertaker's Office. The coffin was deposited
in the hearse, three men sprang into the
cab and rapidly drove away to the ceme-
terry. At the grave there was no ceremony.
The bell was t0lled in the Usual formal
manner. The few men present as mourn
ers reverentially raised their hats as the
coffin was lowered into the grave and then
re-entering the carriage, drove away.
There were many, however, who had
were mostly women, long past tho prime
of life. They had known the deceased
we'll. One had been her dressmaker, an
other confidential friend and still an
other had known her kindness when
poverty had stared her in the face. All
had for her memory a pleasant word;
charity covered tho evil of the wOman's
career. Her life had been impure, but
her kindness unfailing.
Whether Mrs. Thompson left any prop
erty is yet unknown. Her effects are now
in the hands of Greenwood Smith, 1873
North Sixth street, and will not be exam
ined before tomorrow.
Tho sorrow of Sister.
Early yesterday morning woman about
GO years of age entered the archway
at the entrance of the almshouse and
asked the gateman if she could see Emma
Thompson. She was evidently stranger
and her clothing was dusty with travel.
The gateman looked curiously at the
woman minute and said
emma Thompson is dead"
The woman seemed thunderstruck and,
sinking into chair, burst into tears.
"Who are you ?" asked the gateman.
81 am her sister," said the stranger; II
have not seen her for many years."
She had come from Lancaster in tho
morning. She had only recently learned
tho whereabouts of her erring relative.
Then she came only to find her dead.
The story of Emma Jacobs life is a
secession of rOmances, and references to
her remarkable career have already been
published in the Times. The downfall
which led her to seek life of shame in
Philadelphia was always asserted to be
the result of intimacy with q man who,
born near the home where her early days
were spent, finally reached position high
in the gift of the people. In after years
the remarkable fascination she had for
him was renewed, under circumstances
which created for them both national
notoriety.
Followed TO Dishonor.
Her life in Philadelphia began when
little past fifteen years of age Her re
markably handsome face and figure, the
grace of her carriage and the fine conver
sational abilities with which she was en-
dowed Immediately drew about her host
| OF admirers men prominent in position
| We'd with each other to win her favor and
her name became by.wOrd in theatre and
club. This part of her life has been
frequently told. The story of her marriage
with the Rev. Mr.. Thompson has proba-
bly, been long forgotten. Thompson was
the pastor of the Church of the Disciples,
that stood on Fifth street. He first saw
Emma Jacobs when caught in the rain one
night. She sought shelter in the corridor
of the little church. He loaned her an
umbrella. The next day he called at her
residence. Acquaintance ripened into
friendship. Thompson was married man,
with children. His residence was on Wal.
nut street. His wife heard of his frequent
visits to Miss Jacobs and loft his home.
The matter came to the attention of the
members of the church, trial was insti
tuted and the pastor was discarded. Dis
owned by church and people, Thompson
went to New York Emma Jacobs followed
him there, q divorce was procured and
they became man and wife. He Gied on
January Is, 1865, and his body rests be-
side tho woman whose life blended SO
tragically with his.
Thompson has frequently been mistaken
for Charles Vansant, who died at the
almshouse three years ago and who was
commonly supposed to be the woman's
husband. Vansant was q lawyer, whose
Office was on Fifth street, below Walnut.
For years there had been between him
and Emma Jacobs the most friendly inti-
macy. Some said he loved her. Shortly
after the death of his father and the family
estate had been placed in his hands for
adjudication, he was suddenly spirited
away and under certificate Of insanity
placed in a madhouse first at Kirk
brides, then at Danville and finally at
the almshouse. Here the woman dis
covered him and henceforth her life was
devoted to his comfort. Long confinement
had finally crazed his brain and he no
longer knew the woman whose friendship
had once been 50 much to him. He died
at the almshOuse three years ago and was
buried beside her husband. Almost The
last words uttered by Emma Jacobs, as
related by the attendant at her bedside,
were "There is an official at Washing
ton to day who once was pleased to claim
my friendship. He is now rich and hon
ored, while am dying in the poorhouse,
vithouk q fr;ond ~