New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-23
A MISSING BROOKLYN MINISTER.
WHERE IL TIE REV. J. X. THOMPsONf
HIS MIND BELIEVED TO ny uNBALANcHD-Noi
HEARD FROM SINCE DECEMBER IL

HIS MIND BELIEVED TO nv UNDALANchD-Noi
HEARD FROM SINCE DECEMBER IL.
The Rev. John Riley Thompson, pastor OF the
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church ut Seycnih-ave ana
st. Johns Plnce Brooklyn, OF the most popular ana
eloquent Of the younger ministers OF lhht Guy iS "''
mysterously absent from his home for fortnight III"
no ccw has been found hy which he cnn be traced II"
was transferred TO the New York East Methodist co'o
cnce from the Newark Conference IN the spring OF 1883
lie had been pastor Of the lIsdding Methodist Church
IN Jersey City for three gears His brooklyn 'nuc"
had a fine edlhce costing nearly Tooo"o win CON
siderable debt and Mr. Thompson threw himself hoariy
into the work OF caring for the large congregation Nv"
the financial affairs of tho church lie was n''"
student and prepared his sermons with great care
They were puhlisicd in pamphlet form each week HIS
work for the nfs, year IN his pulpit told on MS heah
ana early last summer he went to Europe lot 'nr'c
months But his health did not seem fnly restorcu When
ne returned I'm October and his friends remarked MS
hageari face and the evidence thar he wa,
not well. Slight of stature, MS he"u
scr,nea nhnor,nay large and his bowed shoulders made
him look rs II e was too heavy for him to walk upright.
His personal appearance striking ic black eyes anu
hair and heavy black nustaohe contrasting "''h"pe
complexion ...,... -.,-,
i,nu Mis- tcrtn 10 BROOKLYN MI Thompson entered
nror his rhtirch work with renewed zeal lie was M
n.n, psprnilcnn having been Republican electof III
yts virginia IN the ilntes carpaign lie vas hearty IN
his sippBr, ~ Mr Blanc and on the evening "hen NJ
fta,,s srose IN tho Bfookitt Acaariny OF hnsc' m''
fsb,rss, matte the closing ,riitess. which vas cor
aiAtteI srs ~ ,he n6st striking ntreas ~ the rhn
psign iHe feiHist ifiH'Hi ~ ~ iuil ny lho'rtsoh
as8 s,Bhe ~ ht pfb8tith AeairHit bh the etrh
iHe RhsN Senator HAS anH Nthtta Wwmnmn
,Asae adlpesaes w. gas egRsiie,sN} itnFtss1 " ihs
he Is a5lui .upl apd lis eIes hsl Nl lgak ~
suaeed ueh if0a set eFr Aeahaehfs a'l SrtiNs9'Iss
a sA I. eaH .sae & Hss ss meRes ses
hathe sppearta " aud vas aaIe e te
aud minister rsslehl in the vicinity Was secured IS ~,
No. 80 Seventh ave, Win member Of the church
he was quite well and thought 1t would do mn gG9a
go home with his friend ana say AT h'sn d hn ised
heI and hi. daughter Inc san e' mel t seen
Come home soon PAPA III nnse and remained until
the nc t evening. His manner 1t was recalled alter
saving he was Coming to this city lie not after
ward in Brooklyn, but the next morning dspatoh
coed at once to the Methodist Centennial Conference In
Baltimore where he expected TO speak on December
was alarmed by the dispatch and consulted with her
on me H matter tas and e@poySd
the services OF Pnkerton's Detective Agency. ,
But no trace OF Mr. Thompson could be found beyond
the fact that he probably went TO Baltimore and re-
turned 10 Jersey City, where he drew money from
exercises in Baltimore. Some Of his friends think his
mind unbalanced and that he wandered on 10 SOM
r@creaton m Europe for he expressed himself greatly
pleased with his trip abroad Su others think that he
has met with foul play. =, -,
II Is not known how much money he had
with when he left home but 1t was probably nGt
and ockrt to him when he was president OF
the Virginia University. at Morgantown '" va, I'D
1876 when lie only twenty-iour years OF age Inc
watch has Latin quotation on the outside ohe caseau
the presentation inscription within. MI. thompson
intimate friends say that there was no possible casc TOT
his disappearance except mental alteration. lhey
claim 20 have signs Of II for come Time MI.
COPELAND said yesterday that Mr.. Thompson was
worn ont by overwork and worry Ills case
wa, like that OF Postmaster Morton. OF Brook
lyn. $780,, ,,.o.. -,
In 1872 Mr. Thompson was married TO the daughter Oh
the Rev william Cox, of Wesburg, Penn ME- COX mas
been with his daughter since her husband disappeared
and has prosecuted inquiries for him IN all directions
Some OF his friends think my sonnaw has gone "es,,
and some thai returned to Europe, where ne was
last summer think from what know OF MN, thht ne
has gone TO Australia II he has left this country 1hele
think he was suffering from slight alteration OF ind
II is said that Mr. 1hOmpson's unbalanced NINA was
noticed he went to Europe ana That on one Oc
sion he prayed hour a the evening service III MS
| church, and then preached unill me cohgregi,
ton were all leaving ne church ,add !"
persunde him 20 desist His mysterious absence WN
kept from public knowledge al the request o the con
gregation, aud meeting on Friday night IL WAS re-
solved keep the matter secret III inc hOpo hat ho
would return. H.,
Mr. Thompson was considerably affected NY the nilure
some weeks ago Jf John g. iladdofk leading member
of his church aud formerly superintendent 81 The sun
day. school. Mr. Iladdock published Idr'ng Nords III
which Mr. IhuMpsOnh sermons were printed Ht D. now
iu peunsyvnnn. where the coal company win which ne
was connected has IT, nne II f. suggested ~ possible
thn Mi Thompson has accompanied him. anu thal Llb
confidential friend know where lac ~.