Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-17
WAS HE THE THIEF?
Queer Case of Minister Lin
 cOln's Butler.
HE CONFESSED TO A ROBBERY,
But After Being Released, for Lack of
 Proof He Committed Suicide.

He Had the Confidence of the Household,
 and Was Not Suspected When Mrs.
 BradIey-Martin's Diamond Spray Was
 Stolen Hs Aceuspd Himself, but Could
 Tell Nothing "f the JswelI-Ths Pecu-
 liar Features of the Case Attracting
 Wids Attention.
 LONDON, Dec IT. - Society is stirred up to- day over tragedy of internationa al interest, involving a mysterious rob- bery of jewels from the American Lega- tion, and the death by suicide of the English butler who was suspected of the crime.
 Minister Lincoln some time ago en- gagged as butler at the American Lega- ton John Thompson, an Englishman. The references given by Thompson we re first class.
 His certificate of character showed that he was implicitly trusted in 8 household where jewelry is 8 conspicu- ous feature.
 Minister Lincoln .reposed the same confidence in Thompson that his former employer had.
 About month ago Mrs. Bradley Mar. L. and Mrs. Lincoln. A valuable diamond spray Was missed during Mrs Martins stay. It was an article on which Mrs. Martin set value apart from its intrin 5 C worth, which was large, as indicated by the reward of 2500 which she offered for its recovery. A most minute search was made throughout the legation, but no trace of the jewel was found. The butler was not suspected, and no l. tions. Great was the surprise, there fore, of Minister Lincoln, about a week after ths loss of the diamond spray, Thompson went to Scotland Yard and l confessed that he had taken Mrs Mar tin's jewelry, and that he felt it a duty to surrender himsel for punishm ant. He said that ever since the robbery his conscience had been tormenting him. The mans story was not altogsth or coherent. He could not or did not tel what he had done with the jewel. The police thought likely that the man was insane and they transferred him to the King street police station, there to be closely watched for any evidence of in sanity.
 Minister Lincoln apparently believed the insanity theory, for he insisted that | Thompson should be release if ths o. lice did not consider that there was evi =
 
 course, the butler upon either thsory of insanity or probable guilt, could not | be taken back into the service of M- Lincoln, and Thompson went forth tc | the world that most forlorn of human beings, an English house servant with out a character.
 Thompson, deprived of his means oi | livelihood and shunnel by his formsr associates, brooded over his condition. | H.A aouOhf m b1 h a to get any engagement except the care l of an empty house.
 On Tuesday evening he said to his | wife: Il am feeling tired. think vii l lie down." He went upstairs. A few 1 moments after his wife heard the noise l which aroused her suspicion that some thing was wrong She rushed upstairs l The blood was flowing from woln l in her husbands throat, and he was still hacking away as if detsrminsd to mak . sure work of it. As she ran towards him he fell dying in her arms, an the l blood splashed over her dress Public opinion inclineS to the balie that Thompson was guilty of stealth . Mrs Martins jewel. and that his con duct at the time of his confession, whicl the police thought poin ted to insanity
 was really the expression of the menta torture which he en1urel in coatem- l plating his guilt au consequent loss of l character.
 l Thompson had many frienls and sympathizers, who are contributin, liberally to his funeral expenses. Thes | hold that the man was innocent ant that his self-accusation was caused b.
 his brain being disordered over th
 mystery of the robbery anl the ide
 that suspicion might possibly attach |, l him.