The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-10
UNCLE DICK" IS NINETY
TERRE HAUTE CELEBRATES BIRTH
DAY Of THE AGED STATESMAN.
school Children Call on Col. Thomp-
son, and the Veteran Speaks at the
Banquet fra the Evening.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

special 10 the indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE. Ind. June 9.-Col. Rich
ard w. Thompson's ninetieth birthday was
celebrated in this city tonight by the
Thompson Club, a Republican organization,
named in honor of Indiana's oldest states
man. The birthday of Uncle Dick Thomp-
son. as he is known from one end of the
country to the other among the leading
politicians, Is an event each year in this
city, but with the rounding OF his four
score and ten years ii was thought to dig
nifty the occasion with more than ordinary
show. Distinguished guests were invited
from all parts of the State and from other
States. and many of them made it a point
to be present. The feature of the evening
was parade. followed by a banquet, with
Colonel Thompson and the best known OF
the guests occupying a central table, and
ether tables placed at right angles. Gov
ernor Mounts sudden illness at Indianapo-
lis prevented him from being present
The banquet was preceded by a parade,
which covered several city blocks. A band
led the procession, which was followed by
carriages bearing the speakers and guests
Of honor. Colonel Thompson was escorted
through a heavy rainstorm 10 the Terre
Haute House TO attend the banquet 1t was
nearly 10 o'clock when the guests were
seated. There were 275 at the tables, in
Guiding a few Democrats, who have been
longtime personal friends Of Colonel
Thompson President Parsons, of the State
Normal School, was POSTMASTER. The in
George II. Simmons. Of the First Baptist
Church. The principal address of the even
ing was by Representative c. b. Lands,
OF Delphi who spoke at some length and
elected frequent hearty applause, especially
when he declared in favor of the permanent
retention OF the Philippines He also de-
Republican rarty was lambasted as the
friend OF the trusts, il would in proper time
ard in an .effectual way solve the problem
Landiss subject was The Party of Prog
ress; Youthful and Vigorous Ever" Mr..
George /. Reed was the only other speaker.
His subject was THE Man Of the Hour" IL
was after midnight when Colonel Thomp-
son arose TO respond to toast. At the out
set his voice had the ringing clear tone
OF the days when he was at his best, but
at the end of five minutes he had to stop
from weakness. He said he got his political
ideas from the fathers and that while he did
not hate Democrat, he was glad he was
not one. There were no impromptu speeches.
Among those present was Congressman
Earis. whose birthday also came to-day.
Dicks age, and 1t was remarked that he
was born fourteen years after Colonel
Thompson was first elected TO. Congress.
Clancy, of Sullivan: W. d. Owen, j. F.
Darnell. Judge Hadley, Mortimer Nye. Gov
ernor Mount, F. ]. Scholz, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Haggard, Senator Fairbanks and a
cable message from: Consul General Gowdy,
at Paris.
Colonel Thompson spent the day at his
nome receiving friends who called TO con-
eratulate him. In the afternoon the pupils
OF several grades of a public school not far
from the residence called with their teach
ers and sang for the colonel. Children are
welcome IL.
statesman, and many boys and girls go TO
him for information in connection with their
studies.
Colonel Thompson has not had many of
the fainting spells in late months, such as
began attacking him several years ago. and
the physicians. They came without pre-
Tonition and without pain. Nor were they
followed by weakness or distress. On the
OF them. They brought complete suspen-
sion of animation. and. until he had been
through the experience a number of times.
caused great alarm TO his family. II was
as II the machinery of his system stopped
for time TO rest At first il was thought
they were due TO his confirmed practice of
the physicians afterward said smoking did
not produce the attacks.
Colonel Thompson's health for two years
has been such that he refrained from at
tending public gatherings the only excep-
ton being few weeks ago, when he con-
sented to introduce James Whitcomb Riley
been confined TO the house. except occa-
sionally. and when the weather is pleasant
he makes daily trip to the business part
Of the city. He is In close touch with pub
tic affairs. and only very recently was COM
PEELED to shorten his hours of reading and
writing. He had done great deal of writ
ing since the publication Of his Personal
Recollections." but mos. of it was for his
own pastime or for use hereafter. A year
or so ago he happened to look into one OF
the school histories used in the elementary
grades of the public schools. and was i'm
pressed with the involved style and the
failure of the author to express himself in
language suitable for the age OF the chill
dren who studied the history. AS an ex-
pertinent, he began writing history In
simple words. He was fascinated with the
work, and pursued 1t to a considerable ex-
tent. Some day. perhaps. the book will be
published.
Col Richard W. Thompson is the oldest
living who served in the Congress elected
in 1871. few years ago. when his book.
Personal Recollections of the Presidents"
Winthrop. Of Massachusetts. who served
with him in that Congress. and with him.
self and Ex-Governor Bradbury. of Maine.
were then the only survivors of the Con-
gress, but Mr. Winthrop died before he
finished reading the book Governor Brad
bury has since died. If George w. Jones.
OF Iowa be yet ALIVE ne alone oI rg men
son, but only delegate from the Wis
consin Territory in 1889. 1t Is not thought
tnere are more Indn three OF lOuT liNlnS
ex- members of the Congress of 1si9 in
which Mr.. Thompson and Mr.. Lincoln sat
side by side. The span of Colonel Thomp-
sons life is best comprehended by COM
parison. The year of his birth, 1909. is
known as the year of great babies"
list of statesmen, scientists and men who
achieved fame in literature. art and music.
who were born In that year. is long one.
Lincoln. Gladstone, Darwin. Ten
nyson, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Mendels-
sohn and all like the few named are dead.
His public career. beginning In 1884. when
he was elected to the Legislature. covers
a period in which many men who acquired
national regulations were born. grew 10
n anhood. entered public life and after an
CT dinarily long career before the public died
and have been forgotten.
Col Richard W. Thompson was born In
Culpepper county, Virginia. In 1900. and is OF
Scotch-Irish descent. He is the founder Of
Lawrence County Seminary In 1884 he was
TO the bar and the same year was
elected to the Indiana State Legislature and
reelected In 1888 and 1896 He was elected
to Congress in 1S41. but declined a second
term President Taylor offered him the po-
sition of minister TO Austria. which he de-
clined, and he was appointed chief Of the
Land Office. Lincoln made him judge OF
claims, and President Hayes made him sec
rotary OF the navy in his Cabinet. In 1880
Colonel Thompson resigned TO accept the
OF the Panama Canal Com
pany and later he was elected to the bench
In this county and then appointed internal
revenue collector for this district. Among
his literary works are .'Recollections OF Six