Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-02
INDIANA'S GRAND OLD NAN"
Recollections of Veteran Of Fifteen Presi
dental Campaigns.
COLONEL "DlCK" THOMPSON AT HOME

COLONEL "DlCK" THOMPSON AT HOME
The Sage OF Tcrrc IIuutc Relates n
Number of "Reminiscences Com
cerninE Noted Men
of Long Ago.
One OF the most delightful conversations
alists in this country is Colonel Richard w,
Thompson Of Terre Haute, Ind, ex-secretary
of the navy and sole survivor of the Twenty
seventh United States congress and of the
Indiana legislature OF 1884. Colonel Thomp-
son has passed through fifteen presidential
campaigns, relates a correspondent OF the
Chicago Record, and has been a companion
of all our presidents. except the first two
He knew scores of revolutionary people, and
is gold mine OF Information on all matters
pertaining to the political history of the
United States Far and wide the silver
crowned colonel is known as "the old man
eloquent" The very first men in American
public life have paid him high tribute as
popular speaker. He is now in the SSth year
spoke In the open air for almost an hour to
an immense audience of his fellow towns
men, and it was one of the most eloquent
and powerful addresses of his life.
Colonel Thompson may be found in his
great library any evening, writing or read
ing. About o'clock his grandchildren come
romping into the room, throw their arms
about his neck and kiss him good night. An
hour later his two daughters, middle-aged
women, perform the same act of courtesy and
affection. Then Colonel Thompson is left
alone among his books. He remains at his
desk until midnight, attending to correspond
enco, burrowing through newspapers, maya
zines and other publications, and enjoying
his inevitable cigar. The colonel is a raw
enous reader, as he is an Unsuitable smoker,
Nothing in the newspapers escapes him. He
even reads the jokes, and enjoys them as
much as anybody. All political social and
economic questions all scientific and relg
ious matters whatever appeals to the pro-
gressive intelligence of man-receives atten-
tion. and careful attention, from this brill
liant and beloved survivor Of the fathers.
MEETING WITH ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Colonel Thompson and Abraham Lincoln
were bosom friends. They chummed together
for many years and there was no man in
Washington, either before or after the great
Illinoisln became PRESIDENT, for whom he
had q prCfounder respect or a deeper personal
The colonel was an influential member Of
congress when Lincoln was elected to, that
body. The two men had never met, but they
knew each other very we'll by reputation.
Lincoln had been practicing law on one side
of the Wabash river and Thompson on the
other. and they had many mutual friends.
So II happened that when these two men Of
the people met on the floor of the house Of
representatives, for the first time Lincoln eX
tended his hand with
nf,lyC
And Thompson extended his hand with
How're you, Abe?'
From that moment until Lincolns career
terminated he and Colonel Thompson were
confidential friends. and IL the truth were
known the martyr president would be found
often to have profited by the counsel Of his
distinguished Indiana colleague.
LINCOLN AT A RECEPTION.
Colonel Thompson tells many stories of
Lincoln, most of which come from his per-
sonal association with the president. Back
in 1Si7 one of the most elegant society women
of Washington gave a reception, to which
she invited many senators and representa-
tives. and among the latter was Colonel
Thompson. The colonel at that time had
become an intimate of Lincoln's and he de-
cided to ask that the Illinois man be hon
ored with an invitation to the reception.
Accordingly he approached the prospective
hostess and said to her:
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, to your party"
Abraham Lincoln?" was the reply. 81
do not know the gentleman"
Nevertheless" insisted the colonel, 81
wish the invitation for him."
The invitation was forthcoming, and on
the night of the splendid reception Colonel
Thompson entered the reception room, in
company with his long-armed, long-legged,
ugly friend. The two went straight to where
the hostess was standing, and the colonel
presented the Illinois man. Lincoln was
asked to be seated on low hassock and
after considerable difficulty he so disposed his
arms and legs as to feel fairly comfortable,
Then long and animated conversation took
place between him and the society woman.
The day following the reception Colonel
Thompson met the hostess and remarked to
her:
well. how did you like my friend, Lin
coln?"
II will tell YOU" she answered. "Mr. Lin
coin, of all you men at my house last night,
is the only one who will ever be president"
ONE OF LINCOLN'S STORIES.
Colonel Thompson was at Lincoln's house
in Washington one night after the latter had
become president. The colonel and the chief
executive were alone, the former lying AT
length on sofa and Lincoln sitting near by
with his feet on the sofa. At 1890 o'clock
Thompson rose and said he must CO. ThS
president demonstrated.
"Not yet, Dick" he said, "there is a man
coming to see me at II o'clock and when he
gets here you may co.
The colonel inquired about the expected
visitor and was informed that he was a fell
low who held a claim of several hundred
thousand dollars against the Commiasary
department Lincoln had already examined
some of the papers in the case, and when
the claimant put in his appearance, which
he did at II o'clock sharp the president sim
ply Instructed him to leave such other papers
as he possessed for future examination. The
man hesltated about going and intimated
that he would like to know what impression
the record as already inspected had left upon
mind, The president understood
and thus responded:
81 will say of your case that 1t suggests
to me a story once heard about Sam Brown,
lawyer in Illinois. This fellow could not
make a living for himself and family by
practiclng law. so he decided to enter the
merchandising business In pursuance of
this purpose he ordered large bill of goods
from an eastern frm.F The firm at once
wired its western correspondent in regard to
Sam Browns credit The correspondent re
piled that Sam was worth over 100000 and
gave the following itemized statement Of his
possessions: HHf
" He has a beautiful wife, with black