The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-05-01
SCANDAL AND TRAGEDY.
Hon. Phil. B. Thompson, Member
Of Congress, Kills Walter Davis.
Harrodsburg Junction the Scene Of
the Crime The History Of the
Cause Of the Affair.


The most thrilling tragedy that has
occurred in Kentucky since the mur-
der of Judge Jno. NJ. Elliott by Col.
Thos. Buord, was enacted at Har-
rodsburg Junction Friday, the slayer
being Congressman Phil. Thompson
and the victim Walter P. Davis,
prominent citizen of Harrodsburg.
The killing was brought about by an
alleged scandal in which Davis and
Thompson's wife were the principals.
A few years ago Mrs. Thompson
was i'll, and the doctors ordered slim
ulants, of which she partook till an
appetite formed for intoxicating
liquors, and she became addicted to
drink to the great grief of the family,
persisting in heavy rotations despite
the efforts and entreaties of her hus-
band and relations.
When Thompson departed for
Washington, at the beginning of the
last session of Congress, his wife ac-
companied him to Cincinnati, where
he left her, she to return home the
same day. She, however, met in
Cincinnati Walter Davis, who in
duced her to remain over night, and,
knowing her appetite for it, furnish
ed her with liquor, took her ostensi-
bly, to the theater, but at 8 o'clock re-
turned to his room at the hotel,
whence in an hour he turned her out
helplessly drunk into the corridors,
where she was found by the watch
man. The proprietor, Mr.. Roth, was
about to turn her into the street, but
Mr.. Roth's wife recognized her, and
Mr.. Roth and the Waterman took the
unfortunate woman and left her in
care of her aunt, Mrs. Buckner,
a Georgia lady, who had accompanied
Thompson on the journey from Har-
rodsburg to Cincinnati. Mrs. Buck
ner wrote to Mr.. Thompson at WASH
ington, after his wife left for home,
stating in the letter that Mrs. Thomp-
son had got drunk, but detailing
none of the circumstances Of Davis
conduct. She also informed Mrs.
Thompson what she had told the lat
ter's husband. Mrs. Thompson set
out for Washington, where her hus-
band, tired of her intemperance, re-
fused to recognize her further as his
wife. He sent her back to the home
stead to live with their son, aged
thirteen, and took their daughter,
two years older, to school in WASH
ington. He allowed his wife 5000 a
year. Tuesday right Mr.. Thompson,
returning from Washington, reached
Cincinnati, where he learned from
Mr.. Roth and porter of the hotel
the particulars of the affair of the
night after he had left. Next morn
ing Mr.. Thompson arrived home and
probably received other proofs of
Davis guilt from the confession of
the guilty woman. AT any rate, he
shot Davis the first instant after the
latter addressed him.
The meeting Of the men happened
ON the train at Harrodsburg Junction
about 7 80 o'clock. Thompson, ac-
companied by John P. Chinn, took
the Southwestern railroad train to
the Junction. Davis did the same
thing, but, seeing Thompson colored
with confusion, and entering the bag
gage car rode in it to the Junction,
and staid in it till the Cincinnati
Southern train arrived. Chinn and
Thompson took the smoking-car,
turning over seats near the door,
which was soon opened by Davis,
who spoke to Thompson. The latter
asked: "You son Of b., how dare
You speak to me after getting my
wife drunk and debauching her?'
At the same time he drew a pistol
a self-cocking Smith & Wesson thir-
ty-eight caliber. Davis pulled the
door to, ducked his head on the plat
form, going toward the car steps and
reaching for his pistol. Thompson
fired at him through the car window,
the bullet entering Davis head above
and behind the ear. Davis fell from
the platform down the embankment
dead.
The train was just starting, but
the conductor pulled the cord.
Thompson said first to the conduc-
tor, 81 want to get off and go back to
Harrodsburg and give myself up
Then, turning to his friend, Chinn, he
remarked with great feeling, ''Now
can look my little daughter in the
face"
A PATHETIC STATEMENT.
Thompson returned to Harrods-
burg on the same train that took the
corpse of his victim. The body OF
! Davis was taken home, while Mr..
Thompson, after shaking hands with
a number of friends, went directly to
the Courthouse, where Judge Har-
din was presiding. AS he entered the
room he was pale, but calm and col
lected. There was great, but silent
sensation as he walked down the
aisle and into the bar, where he adj
dressed himself to Judge Hardin in