The herald., 1896-08-27
THE KID THOMPSON CASE
Prominent Saivationists Seeking to Obtain
Communication of Sentence

Certain officials of the Salvation
army have for some time past interested
themselves in behalf of the train
wrecker, Kid Thompson. and now they
are bestirring themselves to obtain, at
least Communication of the capital pun
ishment.
1t may appear strange to the average
citizen who has made up his mind and
is firmly convinced that the kid is
bad lot, to learn that these Salvationists
are not moved by sentimental motives
In the action they are taking, but sim
ply in the spirit of equity and fair
play.
1t is known that while the kid main
tanned a bold front in court and in jail,
when interviewed, his hardihood gave
way when Captain Minnie Logsden went
to see him. To her he had no reason to
appear other than he was. and he could
serve no purpose by maintaining a de-
fiant front. Strange as it may seem the
Kids" family in Canada is godly
one, and the letters he regularly re-
ceived from his sister breathed spirit
of purity and love oddly at contrast with
the actions of the brother. Anyway, the
Kid broke down more than once be-
fore the army lasse and cried bitterly;
but no one knows what he said for she
has regarded the prisoners confidence.
So much for the sentimental side of the
case.
1t will be remembered that the first
appeal in the Kids case was from the
Judgment 1t was confirmed and SEN
tence was passed, and then a new ap-
peal to the supreme court was taken.
Now it is a strong point in the Il IDS
favor that on the simple question as to
the validity of the information upon
which the Kid was tried, it was sus-
tanned by to OF the justices. 1t is
no reflection to say that generally speak
Ing the dissenting opinions of Chief JUS
tice Beatty and Justices Temple and
Henshaw are considered by legal minds
to carry quite as much weight as the
four justices who pronounced the in
formation good. True, the weight of
mere numbers told for such in the law,
but Captain Logsden wants to know IL
that is quite full and valid reason for
hanging a man? If the three dissent
ing Justices are correct, then the kid"
was not tried at all, and to run man
into court and try him with the rules Of
the London prize ring as basis would
be just as sensible and just as valid.
Again, it will be remembered that it
was the testimony of Alva Johnson that
sent the Kid to his death. johnson had
two capital charges pending over his
head; he had every reason to curry ia
vor with the powers that be. When
first put upon the witness stand, after
promising to turn states evidence he
refused to open out and tell just what
the law officers wanted to know. He
was taken back to Jail and later was
brought up again, when he told the
most minute details regarding the train
wrecking at Roscoe station. Indeed, he
told too much, for he a man of 45 years,
10 hot Of
had taken the initiative, planned the
scheme of robbery and used him merely
as an accomplice and accessory. For
this confession, as it appeared to be,
Johnson was sent to the states prison
instead of the galows, and yet it is
known that Kid Thompson never got a
dollar of the proceeds of the robbery,
but that 1t all fell to the share of Alva
Johnson. Is 1t reasonable to suppose
the man of As was led captive by the boy
of 90? Or that the proceeds of crime
were monopolized by the accomplice.
and the conceiver of the scheme-the
youthful Kid went away empty
handed?
Is it not more natural to suppose that
to save his own life Johnson deliberately
put the rope around the Kids neck?
At all events as it was Johnson's tes-
timony that occasioned the Kids con-
viction il is but fair that it be scrutin-
lied with the utmost care for he and he
alone had everything to win and moth
ing to lose beyond what already been
sacrificed.
These We're some of the points dis
cussed with Assistant District Attorney
Williams Yesterday by Acting Social
Serpeant Becker of the Salvation army.
With considerable good sense he made
the several points touched upon above
and then stated that Capt. Minnie
Logsden will be soon returning to the
city, when she desires tos take some
action In appealing for executive elem
ency, should the present appeal fail.
the district attorneys office would be
asked to endorse upon it any of the facts
which have been touched upon above,
or any others the district attorney might
see lit to make. 1t would then be sub
mitted possibly to Judge Smith and
then be passed on to the justices of the
supreme court, where, doubtless. the
three justices who objected to the in
formation, would h..e some endorse
ment to make. While this course of ac-
tion has not been determined upon, it
has been suggested for it is not mercy.
particularly, that Capt. Logsden wants.
but only justice to one who Is down low
and has very few to speak in his behalf.