Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-06-08

-IllL3
PHIL THOMPSON ADDRESSING THE COURT.
had lust shot and killed one Walter Davis
as the latter was stepping from car on
the Cincinnati and southern railroad.
Thompson charged Davis with seducing
his wife.
Congressman Thompson. on surrender
ing made pathetic speech in court, de
failing his wrongs. There were profound
silence and but few dry eyes while Thomp-
son was speaking. Thompson said; " do
not believe | will receive the censure of this
people, but whatever is the will of the
court l will bow to and bear it as becomes
good citizen. This has broken up and
destroyed my domestic relations, my peace
and happiness. My daughter dcarcr to me
than all else on earth, is an exile from
home and an outcast from society. HIS
blood is but feeble atoncment for her
tears and If he had a hundred lives all of
them would not atone for this great wrong.
feel that / did what every man who has
a home which he loves and daughter
dear to him would do if he has the courage
to defend them from wrong. In this ex-
poet and feel that | will receive the sym
pathy of the good and the virtuous
Thompson was allowed to give 50, 600 bail.
The Associated Press correspondent at
Harrodsburg summarized public feeling ON
the subject as follows:
"There is intense sympathy for Thomp-
son, though Davis is very popular. Davis
has wife and two children. He was 26
years of age Mrs. Thompson was 40 and
prominently connected, Davis widow lisa
stepdaughtcr of Governor Robinson of
Georgetown. Mrs Davis first knowledge
of her husbands death was the arrival of
| the body She tainted several times. She
now suffers froW nervous prostration. She
never suspected her husband : infidelity.
Here is the dispatch sent ont from Wash
ington;
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The intelligence
that Congressman thompson had killed anoth-
! er man caused a deep sensation here, where he
| is well known and extremely popular. friend
! thinks ii was well understood that whenever
| Thompson and Davis should meet they would
| shoot. Thompson bears the reputation of hav-
| ing great pluck and nerve. A friend says that
Davis is the fifth or sixth man who has fallen
by Thompsons pistol, which, however, he de-
clareS was never before drawn except in self
defense While Thompson was member OF
Morgan's command during the war he shot
! down two men who leveled rifles at him. Aft
err the war when he was prosecuting attorney
of the court at HarrOdsburE three of the
Thompsons were sitting in the courtroom arm
ed when four Davises, with whom the ThOmp-
sons had a feud, entered, also armed. Shoot
ing began. Three of the Davises were killed.
| The congressman was the only Thompson who
escaped death. He was acquitted on the ground
of self defense. Thompson is aged ~ years ana
| is small in size. He is quiet and unobtrusive
and was quite prominent in congress at the last
session.
Considering Major Ben Butterworth's
connection with the Breckenridge case, it
is interesting to read in the New York Trib-
une of April 2S 1888, that when Butter
worth heard of Thompson crime he ex-
claimed: Great God, is it pOssibleY Are
YOU not testing? While l have heard no
particulars of the killing, | believe in my
heart that Phil Thompson would not have
done this deed if he did not sincerely be
lieve that he was an outraged man.
Major Mckinley of Ohio, then a congress
man, said: II have often heard of Thomp-
sons killing men, but somehow would
hardly believe it, Many "A time l have no
ticed him on the floor of the house, always
so quiet, pleasant and gentlcmanly that l
could not persuade myself to the thought
that he would or could kill man. | know
him very well, and l like him. He has
more friends on our side than any other
Democrat / know of in the house. Yet |
have always found Thompson to be per
sistent man in debate, and while he has
gentle eye he has also determined one.
am sorry for his misfortune"
Mr.. Thompson was promptly brought to
trial, was eloquently defended by Senator
VOORHEES, of Indiana and J. c. 5. Black
burn, at present senator from Kentucky,
and was triumphantly acquitted on May
l6 less than three weeks after the day he
killed Davis.
For several years past Mr., Thompson
has been living very quietly in Washing
ton, where he is well known and well
liked He was born in Harrodsburg, Ky,
Oct II, 1915. He is man of small stat
ure, with dark brown hair, dark complex
ion, and wears a stubby brown mustache.
Three young women have received the
degree of bachelor of music 1T Trinity