The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-18
END OF A NAN WITH AN ALIAS,
KILLS HIMSELF, REPROACHING
HIS MILLIONAIRE BROTHER.
Queer Letters to the Public-The BROTHER,
Who Married Mary Thaw Of Pitts.
burg. Says the Suicide Spent Money
Faster Than He Could Send II.

Faster Than He Could Send 1t.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. II. Joseph A.
Thompson committed suicide to-day, leav-
ing two letters, one Of which related to the
ooncealment OF his identity for twenty
five years and the other detailing his re-
lationship with his brother, William r.
Thompson OF Sparkill, N. Y, who is rated
as being worth $1,000, 900 and who married
Mary Thaw. the eldest daughter Of the
Pittsburg millionaire.
In his farewell letter the suicide said
that his brother had given $4,000 to a
library, but had not aided him, although
he and his family had been starving for
several months. A telegram from the
brother was received late tonight by
Harry Spangler, brother OF Mrs. Thompson.
Mr. Spangler said that the telegram simply
expressed regret, at Mr.. Thompson's death
and that the funeral arrangements we're
still uncertain.
During the last twenty five years Thomp-
son had used the name Of Thomas, so that
even his grown up children did not know
until to-day Of their real name and their
rich relatives. His wife knew Of his change
of name. and Thompson claims that his
brother is also aware Of his reasons for
adopting q new name. Mrs. Thompson
declines to tell the reason however, al
though she says it was satisfactory to her.
Thompson was found dead upon bench
In the park near the Belmont mansion.
Beside him were two letters and q notice
that he must vacate the house at 1908 South
Hicks street, In which he lived with his
wife and four children. The first letter
was as follows ',-
Il am Joseph Alexander Thompson Of
Pittsburg, Pa. son Of Andrew Thurley
Thompson, who for years was the agent Of
the Young Mems Bible Society Of Allegheny
county. My brother, William R. Thomp-
son Of Sparkill, N. Y, knows my circum-
stances and win not help me nor my family
he married Mary 1haw, daughter Of VII
liam Thaw, who died In Paris and who was
second vioe-president of tho Pennsylvania
Railroad, also Of the firm Of Mark 4 Thaw,
married the Earl Of Yarmouth, and Harry
Thaw, who married Evelyn Nesbit, the
concert artist model.
Il am connected with Harriet Thaw,
who lives on Cross street between Ninth
squalor with rats as her companions.
and mine are starving and have been for
the last five months, but they would not
help me. He allowed his brother. DR.. A. D. :
Thompson to starve to death in Philadel-
phia in 1879 or go. and also his brother. ]. R.
fall 80 low that he had to send him TO Florida.
where he died, and still he gives $50 600 to
the W. and I. Library. What have I as his
brother, to look for? I have been a slave
to hard work for forty yeas and as vir-
GINA says, there Is no way left but this"
Nov NJ q fnr WI
follows:
sTo the most loving and Christ like roman
on earth Kate Spdnoler Thompson:
'You are still a young woman, and |
am too old to stand in the way Of what
for you and the children. 1 cannot got on BE-
cause Of my age, and am only in the way.
for "t charity's sake. While i've he would Si
claim that you had a husband TO help
and kindly with you and my loving chill
dren, al / am about to leave you and the
children. grant you 1000 kisses. It is
all have to give you. From your unhappy
and unworthy husband r-ou..ox.
p. ST. have lived the past twerty-
five year. under an assumed name. Ny
brother, William r. Thompson, Of Spark
hill, N. Y, knew Of my troubles and double
life from the time your first child was born.
To make you happy Tor the future, must
make you unhappy for the present From
ono that loves the ground you walk on"
MACK, NY Aug. 17.-William R. Thomp-
son was seen at his home at Sparkhill to-
night. He was shocked and surprised at
the news Of his brothers death. notice Of
which had just reached him. The habits
Of his brother were such, he said, that ne
expected at any time to hear Of his death
by accident or suicide.
Liquor has been his ruin" he said Mr.
Thompson denied emphatically that he
had not aided his brother.
For years Ihave been sending him money,
but he would spend 1t faster than could
send It; to him, and at times have lost all
patience with him. Had he left liquor
alone he would have been. we'll provided
for He has two sons. both at work. one
about u years old. another about 10, and
surely they would not permit him to suffer,
nor would T. for the necessaries Of life.
His reckless disposition and his habits OF
life have caused the family no end Of trouble.
and regret exceedingly that it becomes
necessary for me to make this statement,
but In justice to myself, in view Of what he
says in that letter blaming me, I must say
what Ia the truth. =.