The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-22

ter regaining consciousness this morn
ing he asked the physicians: HAS this
all been a dream. Did I really take
some carbolic acid?'
just after it was discovered last night
that Mr.. Thomas had swallowed the
acid, and as he was first suffering from
its effects, he cried: my God, what
have I taken"
The acid was kept in the bath room
with some other medicines. 1t is sup
posed now that Mr.. Thomas intended
to get something else, but took the acid
by mistake.
This is one of the tragedies even
though it was accidental in connection
with the failure of c. J. Devlin, who
himself but a short time ago succumbed
from worry and agitation Devlin and
Thomas were bosom friends for years.
Together they grew wealthy. Either
would endorse paper for the other. Both
dealt in COAL Thomas was in reality
! the owner of the Southwestern Fuel
company of Topeka.
1t was the floating paper" which
/ caused Thomas downfall financially
When Devlin failed, the crash carried
Thomas down too. After the smoke and
wreckage had cleared away it was
found that his liabilities are in the
neighborhood Of $3.50, 700 and his assets
but $175 600.
Thomas has been sick ever since Dew
Inns failure and his own consequent
! crash. lie lIuIlGu1dLEty 0CAAl 0AA0NA NAAS
| care of a physician, practically a nerv-
Gus wreck. At three different times has
he been wanted to appear before his
creditors at Topeka, and as many tunes
has it been impossible. Only yesterday
was another meeting held at which
time some of the creditors strenuously
demanded his appearance only to again
be told by his attorney that he was
simply too sick to come.
On Sunday Mr.. Thomas was IN rope
ka He went then at the request of his
attorney. Eugene Hagan, who said that
| it was absolutely imperative for him to
be there. But the trip was too much Tor
him He returned on Sunday evening,
and all Sunday night it was necessary
to have a doctor in attendance. His Ill
ness and breakdown was due wholly 10
incessant worrying. 1t is said that ne
feared arrest in connection with the
representations upon which he obtained
money from LeaVenworth sources.
Thomas lived nearly all his life in
Leavenworth. His father was a prom
inent physician in the early days and
| of VIRGINIA. extraction. Thomas built
| one of the most magnificent homes In
| Ieaveuw orth, valued at $4O,o0O. Tne
residence is still in possession OF his
wife Before the crash the Thomas
| family was prominent IN LeaVenWorLh
society both in the city and the mill
| tary circles. Mrs. Thomas father
was Daniel Shire, who was very
wealthy. Shire was a banker and died
| at I. I.eavenWorth about fifteen years
! ago. Thomas life is quite heavily in
! sured, but considerable OF the lnsur-
ance has been sold.
Peter J. Monaghan. at present the
| manager Of the Southwestern Coal and
/ Fuel company a personal friend ana
/ business associate of Mr.. Thomas for
years, said today concerning the mat
/ ter: s'I heard about it last night, but
nv advice did not say what the dif1-
/ cllltv was If he did attempt suicide,
/ it was because he was not in his right
mind Thomas is too strong man
1 and too good a Christian to do any
/ thing like that knowingly and IN the
/ full possession of his faculties. he IS
/ supersensitive. He would worry over
! the smallest trife as child would He
/ was one of the best and kndest
hearted men that I ever knew or ever
| saw anywhere. He did many, many
! good things. But the strain was too
i much for him. He always did worry
when the crash came along it simply
/ broke him down. It is entirely too
had. He and Devlin were great per-
| sonaI friends I hope that he VIII re-
/ cover as your advices this morning
i indicate"
Eugene Hagan, Mr. Thomas attor-
/ nev. said today: 'I received word last
! night to come to~ LeayenWorth, and
/ planned to go this morning But be-
/ fore I got away from the house re-
/ ceived a telephone message saying
that Mr. Thomas was very much i'm
proved and sleeping and that there
was a good chance for recovery. So
I did not go. He was simply crushed
/ He has been a very. very sick man Tor
/ the past six weeks The idea OF some
/ one else losing money by or through
him was too much for the man to
stand. He was very kind hearted and