Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13

Launt Thompson.
a brilliant genius whose fatal craving for
strong drink had brought him to the depths
of degradation. and finally to a paretc's
grave.
The matter for surprise in Thompson's
death was that he had lasted so long as he
did. for he lived to he an old man. Many
of the friends who had known him in his
better days died years before Thompson.
Many of the older artists. however. remem-
Der him at the height of his powers and
popularity, before his one failing had over
mastered him.
I-aunt Thompson came to New York from
Albany as a young man in the year 1858.
He was twenty-five years old, full of hope
and ambition. 1t was about thirty-fve
years ago that he opened an atelier in the
studio building in West 10th street. lie
was joVial, genial young fellow. with just
enough of his Irish nature cropping out
here and there tC make him n ready Wit
and a companion to be sought for. He
made friends quickly, and kept them. Be
fore coming TO New York he had spent
nine years in study with the Albany sculp-
tor. Erastus ID. Palmer. who first induced
him to give UP his intended profession OF
medicine and devote himself TO art.
4 Social FayOrite.
Thompson soon became known in the best
social circles OF the city. He was of
thoroughly good breeding, always courteous
and polite. Even in the darkest days OF his
after career the Gneness of his manners
would show forth at the most unexpected
times. He was also Il brilliant and charm
ing talker. with his inexhauStible fund of
Information and his clever way of express
ing his IDEAS in language that was always
graceful and original. but never affected.
In consequence of his conversational
ability his fOndness for social enjoyment
and his budding talent. which was attract
irS attention more and more, Thompson
v as soon much sought after and good
deal liOnized- People Of the highest social
standing opened their doors to him. AT
one time Willia:a Waldorf Aston became
his pupil in the art Of sculpture, and for
many years Thompson was on intimate
terms with the members Of the Astor
family. Among the wealthy folk with
whom the young sculptor had come to
soCiate were the Potters. There was only
one daughter. to whom Thompson paid court,
and whom, he married not many years after
his arrival IN the metropolis. There were
several sons. Of whom one was at that time
young Episcopal clergyman. He is
the bishop of New York.
His Life Abroad.
None Of ThompsOn's friends can remeIn-
Der when the fatal fondness for drink be-
gan to develop. or rather they cannot re-
member when it did not already exist
Thompson Was member OF the LOtos
and Century clubs. and made many friends
in the theatrical profession. Among these
was Edwin Booth, who remained ThOmp-
sons firm friend until his own death. -Afler
the poor, bTOken-dOwn sculptor had Dcen
placed in the asylum at Mildletown, Booth
was one Of those who helped to meet some
of the expenses when ThOmpsOn's own
money had given out. The scuIptOr's bust
of Edwin Booth In the character OF Hamlet
is well known.
All this time ThOmpson's fame was grow
ing apace. He found time to do great
deal Of excellent work, which soon brought
him recognition He was made an associate
member Of the National Academy OF De-
sign the year after he came TO New York,
and soon afteTward his bust of The Trap
per" secured his election as an academiCian.
In 1855 Thompson went to Rome. He had
been ten years In New York at that time
and was married. After two years of work
and study in Italy he returned to America.
but in 1910 be went back to Italy for
another six years. In the interval, while
he was in New York he had been elected
vice president of the academy and Yale
had conferred Lpcn him the honorary de-
gree of master Of arts. His series of his
tOrtcal and ICrtrait statues and busts had
already been commenced. The well-known
statue OF Gen John Sedgwick at West
Point Was completed in 1850. In the two
following years he made busts of Stephen
III. Tying. Charles W. Elliott and Samuel
F. b. Morse. While in Italy ne received a
commission from the United States govern
ment for a statue of Winfield Scott and ne
returned to this country To execute it
Separated From His Wife,
After his return from Italy Thompson's
habits had begun to tell materially upon his
health and state of mind. His separation
from his wife occurred soon afterward and
she continued to live IN Florence where
she has remained until the present time
The separation. which never took the form
of divorce. was made by mutual consent
IL had become simply impossible for Mrs
Thompson to live with him, and he realized
II as well as she. Mrs. Thompson wrote to
her husband frequently during the years
preceding his complete breakdown and in
generation. Their three children, two girls
and boy. are stiH living with their mother,
The son, who Is the eldest, Is now nearly
twenty-four years old.
Thompson was utterly incapable Of man.
aging his money affairs after his return
from Italy. and realizing this. he gave q
power OF attorney over all financial mat
tiers TO HIS old friend, Samuel Lawrence.
thompson was now on the down grade,
though still able to do good work His
periods OF two weeks sObrlety and Industry
would be followed by three of dIssipation
and drunkenness. ~ the clubs where he
had long been known he became obnoxious.
When under The influence of liquor he was
boastful quarrelsome and destructive He
wanted 10 fight with everybody who came
In his way. He would upset tables smash
CrOckeTy and mirrors. and CoGld clean out a
club room in short order.
Deprived Of his clubs. Thompson for a
short time made hts headquarters at the
Hotel GlSnhaIn. but the management final
ly had to request him TO absent himself
Besides his noisy and offensive conduct. his
mind had begun TO be affected by his long
course OF dissipation. He would enter a
restaurant and before ordering breakfast