Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-02-05
BEN THOMPSON.
Day of Excitement in the State
Capitol.
The Scene in the Statesman Office Last
Saturday.
LAustln stntesman, Teb. 8. ]

Yesterday the Statesman contained
short local paragraph in regard to
Mr.. Thompson's assault upon w. a.
Bowen, the Austin correspondent of
the San Antonio Express. 1t was
stated in that article that Thompson
made use of language on the occasion
that ought not be tolerated in the
presence of ladies. This is the part
that he said last night he took eXcep-
tions to. The report was written
upon the information given by per-
sons who claimed to be present on the
occasion, and who also claimed to
lhave heard his words. After the pa
per had gone to press yesterday MORN
ing and while the mailing clerk was
at work. Policeman Brown came into
the room and get paper. In short
time after Ben Thompson came into
the editorial rooms of this paper, per
haps between and O'Clock, and
found no one there but Rush Debar.
lehan, one of the employees in the
financial department of the States
man. He is young man about eigh-
teen years of age. AT the time he was
sitting behind the office desk, which
is surrounded by wire screen. He
did not notice Thompson as he en-
tered, as he was busy at work at the
desk. The first he noticed was some
one struck the wire screen in front of
him, and on looking up he says he saw
Thompson standing in front of him
with u revolver in his hand, the muz-
zle pointed towards him. AS he look
ed up Thompson demanded to know
who wrote the article which appeared
in the morning paper. Mr.. Debarlehan
told him lie had nothing to do with
that branch of the Statesman and that
he knew nothing about the article. He
says Thompson then, IN most emphatic
language, informed him that he would
hold him responsible unless he told
him who the author was. Debarlehan
then replied he did not know, but he
supposed 1t was Mr.. Wing, the city
editor. Thompson said he would go
up stairs to the composing room and
find out. During this time Debarlehan
says he held the revolver pointed ut
him, Mr.. Thompson claims that he at
FIRST pointed itat him but Immediately
removedit. Thompson appeared in the
composing room. AT the time all the
force had gone except the mailing
force, In charge of the chief mailing
clerk, Mr.. Scott. He came up to where
Nhts DcOtt WIS anu ashSu ~ on.
lar question. Mr.. Scott says TO
the one asked in the editorial room,
and Mr.. Scott replied that he
did not know who wrote the article.
MIR. Scottsa says that Thompson got eX,
cited and began to move a lamp, and
he fearing he would upset 1t, said TO
him. Don't do that, please; you VIII
set the whole place on fire." Mr..
Scott says Thompson the drew his
revolver and said he would know
who wrote the article, and also that
he would go to the editorial room be-
low and murder the whole editorial
force, or words to that effect. This
part of the transaction Mr.. Thompson
denies, He admits he drew his pistol,
but dlsclaims that he made such
threats, as the force upstairs all say
ne did, In effect us we have stated.
MIR. Scott and the others upstairs say
that he took couple Of galleys Of type,
containing the names of subscribers,
and dashed them to the floor, of course
making pi of the type. Thompson
claims this was done by accident. he
this rs it may, the elire force. In the
composing room, present at the time