Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-05-08
Phil. q'hOanpson,s Speech to the Court.

Phil Th0mpSOn's Speech to the Court.
hon Phii. Thompson, who killed Da-
Wis., his Wtfe's seducer, near Harrods-
burg, Ky, last Friday week, in deliv-
| eriDg hImseif into the custody of the
court on Saturday, said: MAY it please
your honor, know it is not customary
on occasions of this kind for the person
appearing before the court to make apy
statement OF the facts but I deem it
due to myself, the position I occupy,
the community in which L have lived
so long, and who have so often honnred
me, that should say something in ref
ereDce to thls unfortunate affair. Ineed
not point TO my long life aud unblem
lshed character for honor before this
people as Qualification of what I do,
but L 90 feel that they should know
from me- OF near from me, a portion at
least of the history of this case. Last
December, being called to Washington
by the duties growing out of my posi-
ton, [ was accompanied by my wife to
Cincinnati, and being anxious to get to
Washington as soon as possible, 1 left
that city on Monday, the same day of
my arrival there, and left her with
friends. The next day Mr.. Davis, the
deceased, came to Cincinnati, and, hav-
lag net her upon the street, registered
himself at hotel, and learning from
her and the lady who accompanied her
that che was stopping at the st. Clair
Hotel he followed her there, where he
registered himself again under an as
sumed name and took q room. He then
took her out, and having piled her with
drink, against the protests of her friends,
until she was utterly besotted, we'll
knowing her infirmity in that regard,
continued his application until he car.
ried her to his room, debauehed her.
made her the victim, in her unfortunate
condition. OF his degraded lust, then
turned her cut 10 wander where she
would until picked up by the night
watch and carried to her friends, Hay-
ing accomplished my dishonor, he left
the house before break kfast. While I
had been informed before of some of
the facts relating to her intoxication,
and that he was the cause of her public
exposure and degradation at the hotel,
did not know the extent of the wrong un-
til Tuesday night last. as I came home.
was fully informed of the infamy
which ne had heaped upon her and NY
family. [ do not believe that I will
receive the censure of this people, but
whatey er is the will of the court I will
bow to and bear with IS becomes a good
citizen. This has broken up aud de-
strOyed my domestic relations, my peace
and happiness. My daughter, dearer
to me than all else on earth, is an exile
from home, an Outcast from society.
She has sobbed herself to sleep on nv
bosom under this great calamity, part
of which only she knew. This blood is
but feeble atonement for her tears,
nd r BfN t,.,R 4 =
them would not atone for this great
wrong. For the first time this morn
ing met him, and I feel that I did
what every man who mas g. home which
he loves and a daughter dear 10 him,
would do if he has the courage to de-
fend them from wrong. In this I ex-
pect and feel that l will receive the
sympathy of the good aud vituous, and
now submit it to the action of the court"
Tbere was profound silenee'in court,
and few Cry eyes while Mr.. Thompson
was speaking
Judge &. a. Hardin said "It is per.
haps improper in ue, occupying the |
position of judge, to express to Mr. |
Thompson tue sympathy 1 feel for him |
as mau-- Under my official duty I am
compelled TO bold him to answer any
charge that the grand jury may find. I
will allow him IT, give bail III the sum
of 50, O00 Bail was immediately given |
and the case given to the grand Jury. |
Davis has a wife and two children. He |
was only 26 years old, aud Mrs. Thomp |
soo is 40. She is the stepdaughter of |
Gov. R0heson, Of Georgetown. Ky.
Davis's funeral services were per- |
formed ct his residence last Saturday |
week. An immense crowd was present. |
He was both an Odd Fellow and /
Knight of Honor, and the two lodges
were present in full regalia. The ser
vices were performed by the Rev. Mr..
Young and the Rev. Mr.. Clay. In the
sermon Mr.. Young omitted all reference
to the cause of death, and spoke but lit
tie of the family. He said he had loved
the dead man as he had loved few men
that there were many Christians outside
of the church, and that Davis had lived
an upright and honest life, and had
done nO man a wrong. The wife bore
the ordeal better than was expected, but
she and her sister in law tainted at the
grave. Mrs. Thompson was at the
house shortly before and after. She is
vehement in her protestations of the In
noceuce of herself and Davis. She said
~ will die proelsming him innocent.
On! why was not / killed rather than
poor Walter!" She says that her hus-
band has been killing her by inches for
years that she hss cried until the foun~
tain of her tears is dried. She las be.
come hsggard in day. The Thomp-
sons say they feel only pity for her.
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