The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-04
ARRESTED WHILE IN Bed
Robert Thompson. Over Seventy,
Accused Of Pension Frauds.
Held for Tennessee Authorities on
Funds Belonging to a Soldiers
Children - The Prisoner Protests
His Innocence of Any Wrongdoing.

Robert NJ. Thompson, seventy years
of age. was arrested Friday night at his
home $40 Fourth Street northwest, while
i'll in bed. suffering from a severe attack
of grip. His arrest was made at the in
stance of the Tennessee authorities, on a
bench warrant issued by the United States
Court for the Western District of the
State, charging him with the violation OF
the United States pension laws. The war
rant was based on an indictment said to
have been returned against the prisoner
in Tennessee. Owing to the serious con-
dition of the aged prisoner he was not
taken from home but is in charge of the
United States authorities.
Somewhat more than 81, 600 is said to be
involved in the Indictment against
Thompson, which dates back almost
twenty years, when the prisoner was a
resident of Tennessee. Once before
Thompson was arraigned as result of
action taken by the Tennessee author
tiles, and in connection with the identical
transaction, it is said. now brought to
light by the Indictment Previously
Thompson escaped prosecution because it
was held by the District Supreme Court
that he could not be extradited from the
District on tie showing made in the tes-
timony against him. 1t was then held.
moreover. that Thompson could not be in
dicted here. and his release was accord
ingly ordered. Since his discharge from
custody the Tennessee authorities have
found an Indictment against Thompson,
and bench warrant issued. This was
served Friday. and the prisoner will have
a hearing before Chief Justice Bingham,
of the District Supreme Court, on the
question of his removal to Tennessee.
when his condition will permit.
1t is represented that Thompson Sc
cured certain funds while acting as guar
dian for Thomas Mccall and a sister of
the latter, and while a resident of Nc
Mary County. Tennessee. claim for a
pension at the death of the father of the
Mccall children was filed about the close
Of the civil war. through an unknown at
torney and it is alleged that Thompson
received a portion of the funds when the
pension was allowed. in his capacity as
gurdian of the minors. According to
Thompson, this claim was finally settled
to the satisfaction of the children in
1871. and no money whatever is now due
either Thomas Mccall or his sister. At the
time the claim was allowed, however it is
alleged that Thompson acted as attorney
withheld from them portion of their
funds.
Thompson was i'll in bed when seen last
night, but denied the charge brought
against him. He said the matter had
been thoroughly ventilated in 1887. when
he was before arrested. He admitted that
he was under arrest, but says he has no
expectation of being surrendered from this
Jurisdiction on the bench warrant re-
ceived here several days ago.
Say that l am innocent and owe moth
ing. as is charged in the information
against me- said Thompson.
Thompson declined 10 go into details
beyond stating that he did not act as at
torney for the Mccall children, either in
their application for a pension or in any
other case. He intimated. however that
his present arrest was due to pressure
brought by his former bondsmen. now in
Tennessee.
United States District Attorney Ander-
son told reporter yesterday that he
would not be a party to having Thompson
from his home during his pres
ent illness. He said he understood a ply
5ician had given certificate to the effect
that removal of the patient from home at
This time might result seriously to his
patient. The prisoner is in charge of a
United States marshal, who has Thomp-
son. il is said, under surveillance