The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-29
THE KENTUCKY TRAGEDY.
Farther Particulars OF the Shooting
of walter Davis by cx.Congressman
Philip n. Thompson.

Philip n. Thompson.
a Louisville special gives the following
additional particulars OF the killing %
Walter Davis by cx-Congrcssmau Philip b.
Thompson. brief notice OF which appeared
in II Geographic columns yesterday
morning:
Davis. who had been in the grocery
business at Harrodsburg, sold his interest
n short time ago and made arrangements
10 90 t. Chicago 10 live. With this end in
! view ne boarded the train this morning,
going first into the baggage-car to ooh after
his luggage. Mr.. Thompson was in the
smohing-csr aud first saw Davis when the
latter started through the train for n rear
coach. Thompson immediately confronted
his victim and a scufle followed. Davis
backing to the platform. where he endea-
yorea TO Jump oil, but the congressman
drew his revolver and fred two shots
in rapid succession, both balls taking effect
in the head, and causing instantaneous
death. The body rolled of The car 10
the ground. Thompson then walked up
10 the conductor and requested him TO stop
the train and let him oil. This was done,
and he returned TO iiarvodsburg. Going
10 Inc IOtilt-ltla>t Ut NNNi'>>tN thS sNNSNs
saving IL was not customary in bis situa-
lion 10 make remarks, hut he fel. it due
himself aud the community TO state the
facts leading 10 this result. lie then de-
fsiled the facts OF his wiie's disgrace and
ruin At the hands OF deceased. who knew
her unfortunate weakness for liquor. The
origin Of the trouble is stated ~ follows {:
Thomson married a beautiful iiarrodS-
burg ladv named Miss Mollic Garnett. and
they lived happily together for many years.
Davis, before his removal to town. was in
tho habl. Of often staying all night with
Thomson, with whom he was OF the most
friendly and intimate terms. After his
marriage he took up his residence near
Thomson. The greatest intimacy con
Thinning between the two families, every
thing went on smoothly until last fall,
when one day Thompson left for
washington accompanied by his wife,
\ lady cousin, and Davis, who were,
however. only gomg - far Is Gin
cinnati. at which point the congressman
left them. Aiterward il was reported TO
him that the party went to the theatre to-
gethcr, drank too much wine, and other
WISE acted Improperly. Then trouble COM
menced between Thompson and his wife,
Philip Thompson, ST., and his wife taking
the side OF their daughter-in-law. She
went to their house to reside, and it was
understood after Thompson returned from
Congress that lie had parted with his wife
and that they had ceased to have anything
to do with each other. Their little daugh-
ter was placed by him at school in a con-
vent at Georgetown, ID. C..
Allwho know ANYTHING about the Thomp-
son family will remember the terrible
tragedy in the Harrodsburg courthouse
some six or seven years ago. n ianlly
feud over a land-Suit about an estate be-
tween the Thompson and Daviess families
resulted i'm the killing OF three OF the latter
in the fight. which began in the courtroom
itself. In the fight the elder Davies and
two sons were shot and killed by old Philip
Thompson. his son Philip, and another son.
The tragedy is famous in the criminal an-
mails of The State. The Davies family were
kInsfoIk Of the Thompsons, and at the time
Young Philip Thompson was prosecuting
attorney. The DAVIS killed to-day was a
brother Of "Crit" Davis, the noted horse
man, and was not related to the Davies
family mentioned above.
A Cincinnati telegram says: Walter H..
Davis. the deceased. was a prominent ousi-
ness-man Of Harrodsburg, and an intimate
friend of Thompson and his family. This
friendship was made stronger by his mar
riage 70 a close friend OF Philip b. Thomp-
son. Jr. Mrs. Thompson acquired a habit
of using strong intoXicants from using
liquors some wears ago when recovering
from illness. When MIR. Thompson started
for Washington last November Mrs.
Thompson accompanied him to Cincinnati,
but was 10 return from that city. After
Mr.. Thompson left Cincinnati she met
Davis in the street. He supplied
her with liquor, and took her
TO the st. Clair Hotel. Later
in the night a Waterman found
her lying in the corridor. The proprietor
OF the hotel would have put her in the
street but for her recognition by bis wife.
She was put IN Miss Buckner's room, and
the next morning was overwhelmed with
shame on discovering her disgrace and LETT
the hotel. Miss Buckner, it il said. wrote
Thompson telling Of his wife's disgrace,
but said nothing OF Davis's conduct. where
upon Mr.. Thompson refused TO further re-
cognize her ms his wife. Last Tuesday, on
his return from Washington. Mr.. Thomp-
son first helrd in Cincinnati OF Davis's part
i'm his wifc's disgrace.