The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-10-03
Killed BY
HISBROTHER
Insane Michael Thompson Shot After a
Desperate Fight.
FOUR BULLETS IN HIS BODY
Tae Last and Fatal One Entered the Center
of the Forehead, Causing Instant
Death-It Was a Struggle to
the Death Between the
Two Men.

the Death Between the
Two Men.
One of the most sad, as well as remarkable
tragedies in the history of this region oc.
Cured at Rappahannock yesterday after
noon. Michael Thompson was the victim.
He was shot four times by his younger
brother, Thomas, and the fourth shot was the
fatal one, causing death almost instantly.
While the shooting, according to the state
ments of prisoner and the witnesses, was
deliberate, it is peculiarly and strikimgly
case in which the survivor was put upon his
defense; and, although brother against
brother, one or the other had to die 1t is
doubtful that there is parallel case on
record. The tragedy was really the cul-
mination of duel following the interference
of a son for the protection of his mother
whom an insane brother was about to kill
Mrs Bridget Thompson is widow of
about 70 years of aye. Her husbands name
was Anthony. Mrs. Thompson is reputed to
be comfortably provided for, financially, but
keeps boarding house. She has kept one
for years. She had three sons and three
daughters. One of the Latter is married
All the children are grown up. The sons
were Michael, Thomas and John. Michael
was the victim OF the tragedy. He was so
years old and for the past twenty years had
been of uusound mind. At times he was
thrOughly insane. and not unfrcquently the
atflictiOn took violent form He was re-
leased from the Harrisburg asylum for the
insane about eight years ago. His mother
wanted him home, where he could have that
care which a mothers love, and not stran
gers can provide. About once year or so
Michael would give signs of violence, but
they would wear off. Recently the violent
stage commenced and manifested itself, and
yesterday morning the advisability of having
the man sent to the asylum at Schuylkill
Haven was under consideration in the
family.
At noon yesterday Michael told his mother
that he wanted money for liquor. The
request was refused, but there was no trouble
over it. Mrs. Thompson and Michael and
Thomas, and boarder named Edward
Coolihan, ate dinner together afterwards
After dinner Thomas went to his bedroom
upstairs to sleep. He was not there long
when he heard his mother and Michael
quarreling in the room below. Thomas went
down stairs and warned his brother not to
abuse his mother. Michael replied that he
would cut his mothers head off At the
same time he drew two large pocketknives
from his pockets and rushed at the old
woman. Thomas ran forward and inter
cepted the insane brother, who at once
changed his attack and turned upon Thomas
The latter sprang towards the far end of the
room and pushed the dining table between
himself and the insane brother Michael
had an open jack knife in each hand and he
lunged alternately across the table with the
knives. Thomas had Y revolver in his pocket
and drew it. He says he thought the sight
Of it would scare Michael. 1t didn't The
latter continued his thrusts and finally his
brother shot him in the right leg. The aim
was low. the bullet taking effect below the
knee. The wound seemed to irrtate the in
sane man and his thrusts became more
vicious. Finally Michael climbed upon the
table. AS he did so Thomas shot him in the
right wrist. Michael hesitated moment,
and then resumed his thrusts. Thomas could
not escape from behind the table and the
thrusts were getting dangerously close. He
fired again, and this time the bullet took
effect in the right side of the chest
Notwithstanding the injuries the insane
man remained upon his feet and seemed to
| fight with renewed vigOr. Thomas was al
most exhausted by his efforts to avoid the
thrusts He saw that every moment he was
being cornered more closely and fatal re-
suit was inevitable. He took deliberate aim
and fired II fourth time. The bullet entered
in the centre of his brothers forehead and
the victim dropped like a log, expiring
within few moments.
During the astounding duel the mother
and Coolihan, the boarder, crouched at the
| 70 do nf q,
When the end came the grief of the mother
was heartrending, but her story and that of
the boarder comedies with the story of the
prisoner. 1t was fight to death with Il
| maniac.
The condition of the brother who did the
shooting was pitiful and it was feared that he
would kill himself. Coolihan, the boarder,
and John Thompson, brother of the prin-
cipals in the distressing affair hurried to the
office of Justice Kissinger, at Girardville,
and received warrant for the arrest of
Thomas Thompson on Coolihan's informa-
ton. This step was taken to get Thomas
committed to place Of safety so soon as
possible, 1t was feared he would kill him
self
Meanwhile John Groody, a neighbor, per-
suaded Thomas to go with him to the Office
of Justice Kissinger, and while they were on
their way they were met by Constable
Eugene McKeone, who was armed with a
warrant and on his way to the Thompson
house. Thomas unhestatingly surrendered
himself and went before the Justice He
asked to be committed to Jail at once, so
that he could bo placed under restraint, as he
feared that he would be tempted to take his
own life if allowed TO remain at liberty. A
commitment was promptly made out and the
prisoner was removed to the Pottsville Jail
without delay.
Before starting for the Jail Thomas said he
tried everything that suggested itself to
avoid the deadly act and fired the first three
shots in intimidation. When he saw that
they did not stay his insane brother, and
realizing that his mother as well as himself
might be killed, he took deliberate aim and
fired the fatal shot. He said it was the only
thing man could do under the clrcum.
stances but after it was all over the blow to
him was terrible. He regretted that he only
had four bullets Had he fifth one he
would have killed himself. The shooting
was done with 3S-calbre revolver.