Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-25
THE MISSING MINISTER.
Fuller Details of the Disappearance
of Rev. Thompson.
All the Circumstances Connected With the
Case---h Complete Account From
the New York World,

1t has been the custom Of the Rev. j. X.
Thompso of the Grace Methodist Episcopal
Church, Brooklyn, to read his sermons to
his wife just before preaching them. On
Sunday evening, December I, he lay upon
upon his bed at No % Seventh avenue,
reading the sermon he was to deliver that
evening, but remarked TO his wife, Ny mind
is not clear, and summarized the rest Of it.
He went alone to the church, few blocks
away, and after remaining q moment in
the church study he took his place in the
pulpit. He gave out the hymn and began
his prayer, but his voice was weak, his
manner wearied and towards the close he
unclasped his folded hands and made q
weak attempt at a gesture, which appeared
TO his hearers like an effort to get his hand
TO his head. Mr.. George Copeland and
Mr.. Henry La Rue stepped upon the ros.
tum and helped him to his study, where DR..
W. 81. B. Pratt attended him. A minister
in the congregation conducted the evening
services.
Mr.. La Rue induced Mr. Thompson to 60
home with him to No. III Hancock street,
but they stopped at Mr.. Thompson's home
on the way and he kissed his wife good
night, Mr.. La Rue explaining the case and
aliaying the wite's fears. Mr.. Thompson
appeared quite rational on reaching the
La Rue residence He was very intimate
with the family, and after learning where
be was to sleep he said be would sit up and
write some letters and read. Mr.. La Rue
knew this TO be his custom at home and
went to bed, leaving him in the library, on
the main floor of the house. When Mr..
La Rue went to wake Mr.. Thompson in the
morning he found the room vacant. The
bed had not been slept in. 1t was evident
that Mr. Thompson had left the house dur
irg the night.
At 10 o'cocl; on the Monday morning
following the night of Mr.. Thompson's dis
appearance Mr. La Rue received telegram
reading: "All well. Don't be alarmed
1t was sent from Broadway Western
Union office and was signed by Mr.. Thomp-
son. At 1870 on the afternoon of the same
dav Mrs. Thompson's sister, who lives with
Dtf, TcCelNeu lut IOlIOhlnP ulspatSH iLOHi
Mr.. Thompson: Tell Mary am going to
Baltimore. Will return on Wednesday
1t was sent from the Hoffman House.
Mary is his wite's name. She is the
daughter of Rev. Dr. William Cox, OF
WelIsburg, W. Va. She and Mr.. Thompson
met at Mount Union College Mount Union,
O.. where both were students. She would
lot have been alarmed at the dispatch if
Mr.. Thompson had not left Mr.. LaRue's
house so unaccountably, 70: he was to ad-
dress the Methodist Centennial Conference,
in session at Baltimore, on Friday, Dec. II.
Friends in the latter city were communicated
with by telegraph, but they had not seen the
missing pastor
BY authority of the trustees of the church
Mr.. Copeland put the case in Robert Pink.
eIton's hands, but the only clue obtained
is that on Friday, December u, the day on
which he was TO speak in Baltimore and
five days after his disappearance, Mr..
Thompson drew large sum Of money from
a bank in Jersey City, where he deposited
VIXEN he was pastor of the Hedding Metho-
Gist Church, of that city. The paying teller
said he noticed that Mr.. Thompson WAS
rather un,ily and looked pale and wan, lie
said nothing, and no questions were asked,
for the officers Of the bank did not then
know that he was missing from his home.
Tie detectives have watched outgoing
steamers for Europe, have searched the
hospitals and have attempted TO follow his
irail FROM the Hoffman House, but without
Success. They dropped the case yesterday
h. Of nd yuh ha
li,vrs every possible effort TO find the pastor
has been made, and nothing remains but TO
aW:it events.
Mr.. Thompson has avoided his friends.
kilograms to Ohio, to Morgantown, W. Va
where he resided as President Of the West
Virginia University, and 10 other points
where he has relatives have received tho
same aRswer-"He has not been here"
Mr.. Cox, his fatherin,law, who was with
him during his trip in Europe last summer,
which last from July 5 to October IL, in
clines to the belief that he has gone across
the water, because he seemed so much
pleased with Europe when there. He drew
from the bank plenty Of money for such
nip but 10 trace OF him can be found at
tie steamship companies Offices IL not to
Europe Mr.. Cox conjectures he may have
gone to Australia by way Of San Francisco,
but has no reason for thinking so other
han a once expressed wish to take such
TRIP
Mr.. Cox and Mr.. Copeland and Mr.. G.
r. Thompson, brother from Pittsburgh,
FAY that Mr.. Thompson had no habits that
were inconsistent with his position, and
never drank He took an active part in
Tie political campaign, espousing Blaine's
cause, but Mr. Cox says the congregation
was with him politically, and there was no
disagreement among the members on this
account, and no disreputable reason for his
leaving. His flock regarded him as one Of
the most able pastors in Brooklyn, and their
relations with him were Of the closest and
most affectionate nature, SAYS Mr.. Cope
land. It is believed that he was over.
worked. During the campaign he
spoke at the Academy of Music. Brooklyn;
at the Wigwam, near his residence, and
addressed the Insurance Mems Blaine and
Logan Club of this city People who heard
him were drawn to the church, and being
ambitious he studied much harder than
usual in preparing his sermons. In the
midst of this literary work he wrote lee
ture entitled, IAN American Pilgrim at
English Shrines," which he delivered before
a literary society. During the week pre-
vious to his disappearance he frequently
complained to his wife Of severe headaches,
but none of the family saw any evidences
OF a weak mind. He was pale and lsnguid,
and seemed to have lost his usual elasticity.
He was about entering on the third year Of
LIE pxonLIrn ", storota