Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-12
HARRY THORN's LIFE STORY.
Former Washingtonian Now Held in San
Francisco on q Charge Of Murder.

|
Francisco on a Charge of Murder.
Harry Thorn, who is under arrest in San
Francisco for killing Frank Northey by shoot
ing him, is a son Of Owen Thorn, a former
Washingtonian, who went to California inrS69.
To a reporter Of the San Francisco Examiner
Mr.. Thorn gave the following story:
"Thirty-five years ago." said Thorn, "my
father, Owen Thorn of Washington. d. c., was
a wealthy man and at one time sole owner Of
the Euening Express of that city. Specula-
ton in wheat and oil ruined him. and in 1869
he and my mother and the children-there were
seven Of us-moved to this city. where my
father engaged in politics and also became con-
nected with the Alta. The children, including
myself, attended the Lincoln School and st.
Ignatius' College.
"At the age Of fourteen left school and
secured employment in the Photographic studio
of Thomas Houseworth. and later was en-
ployed as messenger for the Laguua Survey
Company. A year and half in University
Mound College and term rs clerk for ]. W.
Brown, the stock broker found me a young
man of nineteen with a desire to enter politics.
Through influence secured a clerkship in
the tax collectors Office. and was shortly trans
ferred to William Patterson's Office, who was
then superintendent of streets. Owing to my
youth and inexperience l divulged certain
and was summary dismissed.
I'm 1880 married Lizzie Little of this city.
We have one child. boy, who is now attend
ing boarding school across the bay.
unable to find employment offered my
services day laborer, with pick and shovel,
on the 18th street sewer. but was shortly given
| a position as bookkeeper for Bob Graham then
superintendent Of streets. l remained there
until the same circumstances regarding fraudu-
lent demands came to my notice. 1 deter
mined to profit by my former experience and
keep my mouth closed. To show how luck runs,
the state of affairs was discovered by another
clerk. and James Dever, Charlie jackson and
myself were arrested.
I'VE lay in prison two months at last being
indicted by the grand jury, and after spending
another two weeks in Jail were allowed BAIL
and shortly after trial came up, when De-
yer was convicted and jackson and myself &C.
quilted.
The event that has changed the whole
course Of my life occurred at this time when
found work with William Bridge, the horse
man. and from that day to this 1 have de-
voted my energy to racing horses and mix
ing myself up with the characters that fol-
low the races and bet their money. What
little knowledge l have of horses l gained
while in the stables of Bridge and c. S. Critten-
den and by constant association with s. b.
Whitehead x Co., Charley Kingsley. F. d. Black
Cook Valentine and Gardner 4 CO. the book
makers. Cook & Valentine being closed up
Warne, Spear and myself opened stock ex-
change and pool rooms at 90 Ledesdorff street
and made barrel of money, having a branch
in the keyes building Stockton street
'for the last six or seven years | have made
| quantities Of money. but at the last meeting
| lost nearly all had accumulated
Regarding the intimate relations 1 am re-
| ported to have held with Frank Northev | want
to say other than passing acquaintance L
never had. My association with him
at the races has been that of a
| good-natured rival in the bookmaking bust
ness, and the report that l had standing
grudge against him is untrue. Last week at
the races l needed $40 and borrowed it from
him, but he now owes my brother, who is in
business with me, s40, SO that as far as money
! is concerned, he is my DEBTOR