The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-24
COUNSEL CONTENDS
THOMPSON IS CRAZY
Made Tragic Leap for Liberty
at Evergreen
POLITICS IN MONTGOMERY
Chairman Arlington Is of the Opinion
That the County Primary viii
Be Early-Other Mont
gomery News.

Montgomery, January 23.-(special)-
The trial of Jack Thompson at Evergreen
for the murder of his wife and father-in-
law last September opened with a tragic
scene. the defendant jumping from a sec
ond-story window thirty-five feet to the
ground. He was not seriously hurt and the
trial went on today. Some of the best
lawyers of the day are engaged I'm the
trial. The theory of the defense is that
Thompson is crazy. They contend that
insanity has run In the family for many
years.
Last September ID. Thompson. who had
had trouble with his wife, went to the
home of her father, J. b. Cooper at Ever
green. and opened the dining room door,
His wife was inside helping about the
dishes. He shot her down with shotgun
He then ran out into the yard and met his
father-in-law. a frail man weighing less
than 100 pounds. and fired a load Of shot
into his body. In a few moments botn
his victims were lying in the once happy
home dead, and the perpetrator of the
awful crimes in the county jail.
There was some talk of lynching but
1t was overcome, and yesterday set for
the opening of the trial. Judge Rich
ardson was busy hearing some motions
when the prisoner was brought in by
Sheriff Pridgen. He sat down In moody si-
lcrce and was left to himself. After a
while he got up and walked aimlessly
toward one of the windows. As he reached
the window he placed his hands lightly
on the sill and dived out He struck
the ground thlrty-hve feet below and lay
silent. 1t was thought he had killed him
self However, a doctor restored con-
sciousness and found that there were no
hurts beyond a few bruises.
Thompson came to Evergreen fifteen
years ago from Kentucky and married
the daughter of Mr. Cooper while she was
yet a child. He took her back to Ken
lucky and would not allow her to return
to see her parents. However, when her
mother died a few years ago she came
back anyway to care for her father.
Thompson followed soon but they never
became reconcied to each other. He drank
frequently, and is said to have mlstreated
her. He Is a carpenter by trade.
While the defense claims that the prs-
oner is insane and comes from n family
which harbors insanity, it is contended by
the state that he wanted the old man to
sell property left by his wife and let him
have the money, and was angry because
it was not done.
PollticS In montgomery.
Montgomery county politics begin to
loom up and will pretty soon get busy in
active way 1t seems. Charles b. Teasley
one of the progressive and aggressive
young men of the county, has announced
for state senator, and several others are
In line for the lower house. Mr.. Teasley
would succeed to the post of honor held
by the late Capt. b. H. Screws, who died
a few months ago. There is much of in
terest in the legislative officers for the
duties of the offices they Will have to fill
as well as the fact that the senator will
have much to do with the selection of the
judges Of the city court.
Among those who are mentioned for
the lower house from the county are
Robert TAFT. Castor Gunter, o. c. Manner,
l.. A. Sanderson, Adolph Roemer, M. II.
Screws and Thomas w. Martin S. s.
Belser George NJ Powell and Jack Tay-
lor are out for sheriff. Other county Off
GERS will not be selected for two years
yet. 1t is also thought that the county
primaries will be called early so that
they can be gotten out of the way for
the state elections later on.
OF the men who are mentioned for the
legislature some have made reputation al
ready Mr.. Manner has served one term
and wants to get another try at 1t 1t
seems. Mr.. TAFT is clerk in the state con-
Wet department and was recently elected
to the city council while Mr.. Gunter is
president of the council of which Mr.
TAFT is a member. Mr.. Roemer is also on
the council, being chairman of the street
committee Mr. Martin is assistant to
the attorney general and son Of former
Attorney General w. L. Martin. Mr..
Sanderson is young lawyer just trying
his spurs. II is also understood that M.
H. Screws, son of the late Captain b. II.
Screws, now in the west for his health
will return to run for the legislature.
He virtually announced to his friends be-
fore going away.
Chairman A. II. Arlington of the demo-
cratic committee of the county, is of the
opinion that the county primary will be
early though he does not give his opin-
ion as to just when. He will be governed
largely by the desires of the candidates,
as they will be the most interested. The
county committee will follow the rules
laid down the state committee In every
particular He congratulates the democ-
racy of the state and county on being in
harmony and looks forward to great sue
cess during the year.
Compromise is Reached.
The Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
railroad today agreed with the state board
of compromise to settle all demands upon
It for mortgage and license tax on its
issue of $2,730,000 Of bonds for the build
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