The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-01
ST. PAUL'S MYSTERY
Charles Thompson, Known in Butte,
Dying From Gunshot Wound.
A LONG CHAIN OF TROUBLE
His Child Kidnapped by His WIfe's
Orders, Then Follows a Re-
Cancellation, and at Last
Tragic Death.
A LONG CHAIN OF TROUBLE

4
day, was a resident of Butte aoout a
year ago and followed gambling for a
living. While here he figured liz a
sensational kidnapping. He was ac-
companied. when he came to Butte, by
| or 6-year-old daughter nom he
| kept in a West Park street lodging
house. One night while the fat1ar
| was away from the huuse the girl was
| stolen by a ST. Louis detective, who
had been employed for that purpose
by the child's mother. When the
father discovered the trick played on
him the detective with the child was
safely out of the state and the father
| followed them to st. Louis. The sub
sequent developments in the kidnapping
| and the account of the st. Paul affair
are given by the Pioneer Press as fol-
| lows:
Charles Thompson, about IS years
! old, who is alleged to be a gambler Is
dying at his home, 420 Franklin street,
or bullet wound in his right breast.
The story of the shooting is shroud-
ed in mystery.
Thompson has stolidly refused to
make any statement. He staggered
into his home at IL o'clock Friday
night and sent his wife for a friend
who would provide him with medical
attendance. Little could be done for
the man, and he has been failing
steadily. His death is reckoned a
matter OF only a few hours, and II Is
doubtful If he survived until this
morning.
Like many men of his class Thomp-
son has had a varied career. He first
came to ST. Paul last June and brought
his 6-year-old daughter with him. Not
long afterward his wife arrived in the
city. She had letter from Chief Har-
rigan of the St Louis police depart
ment to Chief Clark of this city, in
which the latter was requested to give
Mrs. Thompson what assistance he
could in the recovery of her child.
which, 1t was claimed, had been stolen
from her by the father.
The chief had scarcely began his
search before Thompson learned that
his wife was in town. He took the lit
tie girl and fled to Butte. Mont Mrs
thompson went back to her home at
tective agency to capture the child
That was done and the little one was
returned to its mother.
"A few months later the husband
and wife became reconciled Sometime
during October they took up their
residence at APO Franklin street. II is
said that Thompson was employed as
faro dealer in gambling house on
washington avenue south, Minneapo-
lis. After the gambling houses were
closed there he continued his visits to
the Flour City, going over almost ey-
cry afternoon and returning late at
night. For some time past the family
has been in straitened circumstances
owing to the husbands inability TO
find work Of his choice.
Friday evening he left home be-
tween $3.50 and 6 o'clock, saying that
he was going to Minneapolis. Whether
ne really went or not is one of the
questions yet to be answered. 1t was
about midnight when he returned.
He reeled as he came up the stairs,
the little home being on the second
floor of the two-story frame dwelling
at the number given. This and the
scream which followed his entrance to
the living rooms, convinced the lady
living on the first floor that Thompson
had been drinking. She did not know
what trouble the scream meant for the
little wife, and started to mount the
stairs. Thompson heard her coming.
and in spite of his extreme weakness
found strength enough to get up, shut
and lock the hall door
He told his wife when he entered
the room that he had been hurt His
ghasthness convinced he that his
words were true. When the door had
been securely fastened he exposed his
breast and showed her the lhtdeous bull
let wound. Almost crazed with fright,
the woman rushed from the house at
his bidding, and started to find one of
Thompson's friends by the name of
Hanson. The latter lives on Cedar
street. Thompson said afterwards that
he had been to THE house twice looking
for Hanson, but had been unable to
find him. The wife was more fortu-
nate. She met Hanson Just as he reach
ed the door. He hurried off for a doc
tor. and Mrs. Thompson went back
home.
Hanson went to Faber,s all-night
drug store, at the corner of Sixth and
Wabasha streets, and telephoned for
DIR. Appleby of the Kendrfck block, "a
East Seventh street. When the doctor
and Hanson arrived at the house they
found Thompson lying across the bed
in an exhausted condition.
Mrs. Thompson had already cleaned
the two wounds, the bullet having
passed entirely through the mans
body. 1t had entered about an anch and
a quarter TO the right of the right nip
pie, and came out near the inner angle
of the right shoulder blade and a little
over am dnch higher up chan 1T went In.
There was no way of telling what
course the bullet had pursued. as prob
Ing would have been a dangerous ex-
pertinent.
The bullet must have passed
through the right lung. 1t Is more than
probable that it was DETECTED by some
bone, as PARTICLES of bone were taken
from the wound in the back DR.. Ap-
pleby found that The could do little be-
yond cleaning the wound and putting
on an anti-septic dressing He had
been called Just before l O'Clock In the
morning. and did not leave his patient
until after 2. At that hour he was rest
ing comparatively easy. At his first
call made yesterday morning, however,
the doctor discovered that Thomson
was failing. He was very weak and
there was an almost constant gureie
In his Throat. not dissimilar 20 the
death rattle. 1t was caused by blood
however. and was not received as an
indication of approaching death When
DR.. Appleby caEei al o'clock last
night he found mis- patient In ,lhe lowest
condition observed during his connec-
ton with THE case. AT midnight the |
man had rallied somewhat. but his |