The herald., 1898-02-02
Ex.MINISTER T. L. THOMPSON
SLAsHES HIS THROAT WITH A
B0WIEKNIFE
"A Prominent Politician Of California,
Insane From Pain and Disease,
Takes His Own Life
Associated Press Special Wire

night has not recovered from the shock
caused by the death of ex-Minister to
Brazil Thomas L. Thompson here this
!morning. 1t now appears that he had
been unbalanced mentally for num-
ber Of days, largely due to an affection
Of the left ear which had made him
deaf for several years. When he at
tended Major Tuttle's funeral a few
days ago he caught cold. which aggra-
waited the disease greatly and In the
opinion of several phyaicians was the
prime factor in producing the insanity
which caused him to take his own life.
Numerous instances have been recalled
this afternoon by leading citizens Of ex-
pressions used by Mr., Thompson during
the past week which show beyond Il
doubt that he had been mentally unbal-
Anced for some time.
A coroner's jury was appointed this
afternoon, viewed the remains and will
meet tomorrow to consider the case.
The funeral will be held on Thursday
Afternoon under the auspices of the
Masonic fraternity of which the de-
ceased was q prominent member be-
longing to the blue lodge, chapter com
mandery Of the knights Templar. He
was also a member of the Odd Fellows
order.
For several days he had been subject
to delusions, and had worried over bust
ness affairs. He also imagined that many
of his old friends had become unfrlendly
to him.
His family exercised a close surveil-
der these temporary delusions. Yester-
day he called on several of his old friends
and his peculiar actions alarmed them
Realizing his condition, Mrs. Thompson
sent for his brother, Robert A. Thomp-
son, on Saturday, and since that time he
had been in the house constantly with
the ex-Minister.
This morning Thompson rose earlier
than usual and after breakfast left tho
dining room, His brother Robert start
ed after him, but was detained by
member of the family. Thompson went
into the hath room and shortly after
ward, hearing a peculiar noise, MEM
ber of the family went to the door, when
the ex-Minister shut and locked it. The
next moment he fell to the floor. When
the door was opened the Minister was
found dead in the room, having severed
his jugular vein with a bowie-knife
which had been presented to him. His
wife and children are completely pros
trated, while the city is in deep gloom.
A few days ago Thompson, who was
Mason, attended the funeral of Major
George c. Tuttle. Since that time his
spells of dependency and temporary
insanity became more pronounced.
Mr. Thompson leaves a widow ami
large family, consisting of his daugh-
ters, Mrs. f. L. Whipple, Frances, Ethel,
Grace; his son, Hugh, who is now OH
diplomatic service at Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
Thomas L. Thompson. had he lived
until May 81 this year, would have been
so years old. He was born In Kanawha
county, Virginia (now West Virginia).
When ~ years of age he entered the
office of the West Virginian, paper pub
lished at Chatterton, where he learned
the printers trade. He attended school
at the Buffalo Academy in Putnam
county,. Ilb tdIue " SdllOInlh ny lllc
Panama route, arriving in April, 1855.
and worked as compositor on the San
Francisco HERALD. Afterwards he To-
Gated at Petaluma, establishing the
Petaluma Journal. In 1856 he sold that
paper and returned to work on the San
Francisco Herald. Two years later he
was appointed to a clerkship in the San
Francisco postof1ice under c. L. Weller,
In 1860 he came to Santa Rosa, where
he bought the Sonoma Democrat, which
he conducted until 1868, when he sold it
to Peabody, Ferrall and Company. He
then moved to Solano county, where he
published the Solano Democrat and VAL
lejo Daily Independent. In 1871 he re-
turned to this city, repurchased the
Sonoma Democrat and established the
first steam printing house in Sonoma
county. In 1875 he started the Santa
Rosa Daily Democrat, which he con-
tinued to own until October last year,
when he sold the paper to e. L. Finley,
c, o. Dunbar and G. O. Richards, pro-
prietors of the Evening Express of this
city, who, with J. p. Overton and w. d.
Reynolds. constitute the company now
publishing the Press Democrat of this
city.
Mr.. Thompson always took vigorous
part in the politics Of this State. He
was elected Secretary of State under
Governor Stoneman. serving one term
In lssE he was elected to Congress from
the First District. At the expiration of
his term he returned here and resumed
personal control of the management of
the Democrat again. In 1898 he was an
pointed Minister to Brazil by President
Cleveland, serving until a few months
ago, when he voluntarily resigned. He
returned here last September, the event
of his homecoming being signalized by
a big celebration by leading oitizens.
HELD MANY OFFICES
WASHINGTON Feb. Thomas L.
Thompson served In the house of repre-
sentatives from 1881 to 1889. He was
born in Charleston, w. Va, in 1888, and
in sketch of himself, said he was edu-
Gated in the common schools and in a.
printing office. He removed to Califor-
mia at the age of 16 years, and for about
thirty years worked in that state as
printer. editor and publisher. He was a
delegate to the Democratic national con-
vention that nominated Hancock and
English, and was elected secretary of
state Of California twice later He de-