Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-06-06
ONE CENT
FRANK THOMSON DEAD
President of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Passes Away.
HAD BEEN SICK BUT TWO WEEKS

obD'isN Nlt4ANGE IN Ills CONDI-
TnoN LAST NIGHT WAS MORE
THAN DOCTORS GOULD COPE
wuTH-sKErcH OF HIS LIFE.
Frank Thomson, president OF the Penn
sylvanla Railroad Company. died at his
home, IN Merton, just outside Of Phlla-
deiphla. last evening at 72O o'clock. from
heart disease.
Although Mr.. Thomson was known to
be ill, his condition was not considered
serious. and hopes for his recovery were
entertained until within a few hours Of
his death. A sudden change in his condl-
tion was noticed by the nurses. and the
attending physicians. who had constantly
remained within call since his illness,
were summoned. All efforts to resusc-
tate the patient failed. and he lapsed into
unconsciousness and passed quietly
away
Mr. Thomson's illness originated while
on Western trip three weeks ago. He
left Philadelphia May Is and returned
five days later. He was seized with a bill
ious attack. accompanied by a cold, re-
sultlng In congestion OF the lungs. Drs
Jacob NJ. DaCosta and George Gerhard
were called In consultation with Drs.
Lodge and Hutchinson and DR.. William
Thomson, a brother Of Mr.. Thomson, ana
yesterday all danger from heart failure
was believed to be passed. The patient
was resting easily until the sudden eli
max shortly after 6 o'clock.
with Mr.. Thomson In his last moments
were his family and the physicians. AZ
ter his death had been made public offl-
cials OF the Pennsylvania railroad ar
rived at She home to offer their SYM
pathy.
Frank Thomson was born In Chambers
burg. Pa. July o, 1871. He came Of
scotch ancestry. his grandfather having
been Alexander Thomson. who In 17u
sailed from Scotland and settled In the
Cumberland Valley. Among the children
Of Alexander Thomson was son. also
named Alexander, who won great honors
az the bar Of the state, and afterwards
represented his district in Congress from
1884 to 1896 He then became judge of the
sixteenth judicial district, and sub.
seduently professor Of law at Marshall
College.
Frank Thomson was the SON Of this
latter lie was educated at the Cham
bersburg Academy. and betrayng no
taste Tor the profession of law. at the
! age OF II entered the Altoona shops OF
the Pennsylvania railroad, to be IN
siructed In the great work Of a railroad.
For four years he worked In this school
ana was graduated mechanical engi-
nccr lie could build n locomotive through
every stage OF It's progress, from the
crude iron to the finished engine or the
Z rails. lie was also qualified to operate,
as engineer such engines.
AN ART LOWER AND ENTERTAINER
The social side Of Mr.. Thomson's life
was as comprehensive as Its business
counterpart He was a patron Of art lit
erature and music, and his handsome
residence at ''Corkerhin," Merton. Is en-
rlched with many rare works OF artists
IN painting and sculpture. At this man
sion he dispensed a quiet but notable hos
pitallty. and he had there entertained
, many distinguished hnanciers and states
men Of this country as well as promi-
nent visitors from England and other
countries.
Tho secret OF Mr. Thomson's usually
excellent health under the heavy strain
OF his duties was found In his love for
outdoor sport he having been an ardent
angler and hunter. lie was a member OF
the Philadelphia Club, the Union Club. of
New York, and other prominent organi.
zations in both cities.
Mr.. Thomson was a widower, his wife.
\ who was the daughter Of the late Benja-
J min C. Clarke, OF New York. having died
. IN June, 1887. Miss Anne Thomson their
' only daughter Is a prominent figure in
Philadelphia society. Frank G. and
Clarke Thomson are his sons.
Several valuable hunting dogs belong
ing to Frank Thomson, the deceased presi-
dent Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
: pany, are kept in this city. being in
charge Of Trainer Morris.