The Washington times., 1911-09-18
HELD FOR MURDER,
THOMPSON BROODS
OVER POPE KILLING
Regrets Fatal Quarrel, But
Will Allege Act Was
Self-Defense.

per in a drunken rage when he killed
Joseph H. Pope, seventy-two years
old, a prominent farmer of the Lay
louisville, Md, section Saturday eveI-
ing at $50 o'clock, Archie r. Thomp-
son, the confessed slayer, is today
brooding over the crime.
He is preparing his defense, and
will retain two of the best attorneys
in Montgomery county to conduct his
defense. He will claim that inasmuch
as he believed his life was in danger he
had the right to shoot and shoot to kill,
though today he says he is sorry he
shot, and that in his drunken unsteadi-
ness his aim went wrong and shot an
innocent person.
Jury Holds Thompson.
At the inquest last evening held in the
little hamlet of L-aytonsville, fourteen
miles northwest Of Rockville. Thompson
stated that when he shot he did not
intend tc kill Joseph Pope. but that the
load Of shot vas intended for the son,
John Pope, with whom he had a
quarrel and fist fight Just n few
moments before. After hearing the
testimony Of all the witnesses, Justice
Edward Brown and the jury returned
the following verdict. That tine de-
ceased came to his death from gunshot
wounds infii tied at the hands of Archie
Thomps1n.''
All day yesterday farmers for miles
around drove in automobiles, buggies,
carriages and motorcycles to Laytons-
Vile to be present at the inquest. |
The little town was agog with excite
ment, and when the inquest began at
$3.50 o'clock the Mobley Hall was pack
ed. Justice Brown found 1t necessary
several times to stop in the middle
of the hearing to order the crowd to |
keep silent. and have the morbidly |
curious driven from the doors.
Son First Witness.
John Pope. son of the aged farmer |
killed by the unsteady aim of Thomp- |
son, was the first witness sworn at
the inquest.
The old gentleman and myself had |
been up on the mill past Thompson's
home to see II we could get shot at a
squirrel" lac testified. I'VE went
through the woods, but found nothing
to shoot at. Returning, we came by |
Fess Nelson's house to get couple Of
drinks of hard cider. We had been al
Fess' house only a little while when
Thompson came by. He Joined US and
took few drinks, too. We left Mel
sons together, and as Thompsons house
was on the way to my fathers home
We went that way
Tine witness attempted to tell why
Thompson and he had Quarreled. He
admitted they both were SO drunk that
neither could remember what started
the trouble. Pope said he did remem-
Der, however. that Thompson struck at
him and he knocked him down. This
was in front of Thompson's home. Mrs.
Thompson, who was a witness to the
hight, screamed. She begged the older
Pope to pull his son of her husband,
but the old gentleman stood back and
said:
Let 'em fight it out"
Says Thompson Got Gun.
Young Pope said they tusseled for
awhile and got up. and that Thompson
rushed into the house to get his gun.
Pope said he turned and attempted to
get away, and he heard Thompson
shoot. He said he then turned and
shot In the direction of the house in
the hope OF frightening Thompson of
Hearing Mrs. Thompson scream and
say: Archie. you have shot Mr. Pope
young Pope turned around and found
his father lying on the ground 100
feet away from where Thompson stood
when he shot. The old man was dead
before his son reached him.
Thompson testified that he did not
shoot until young Pope shot at him,
and. believing his life in danger, he
rushed in the house and got his gun
and returned. He fired at what he
|
smoke cleared away he found he had
killed tie father.
I'VE We're all drinking at 'Fess Nell
sons home. but what started the fight I
guest. Young Pope hit me IN the head
with plank, and said he was going to
Kill me. When he reached back against
70 fence to get his shotgun l went in
ene house to get mine. 1 shot, and that
is all remember"
Wife's Testimony Damaging.
Mrs. Thompson. wife Of the young
man held for the murder, was called,
and her testimony was damaging to her
husband. She realized what she was
saying, but said she would tell the
truth.
After Fess Nelson testified that the ,
slain man was facing his own son,
and that possibly the shot from his gun Z
changed the whole situation when she ,
said the slain man was facing her hus-
Dand. The entire charge OF No. 6 shot +
entered the face and neck of the old \
man. ano death was almost instant. d.
After the shooting Thompson was ar
rested at his home at midnight by Z
Sherln Viett, Chief Deputy Whalen, and 2
deputy Moulden. and was brought to
witness for the State. The coroner's
jury was impaneled at midnight Satur- a
day night, and viewed the body of the n
aged farmer. At the inquest last even a
ing Justice Brown released young 4
Pope on a bond of 500 for his appear
ance at the November term of criminal Q
court in Rockville as a witness against {
Thompson. Thompson was not given
bond, but Prosecuting Attorney Bouey :
F. Waters announces that bond OF =
g, 900 will be accepted.
Funeral Tomorrow. a
The funeral Of Mr.. Pope will be held 5
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at s
Goshen Methodist Church, near Lay o
louisville, and the burial will be In the 9
churchyard. Mrs. Pope and the fol- S
lowing children survive Mr.. Pope: b
Thomas II. Pope, of Woodheld; Joseph k
Nathaniel Pope, Henry Fielder Pope, e
William Arthur Pope, OF Laytonsville;
John Middleton Pope. of. Woodfield; t
Mrs. Beatrice Johnson, Of Cosmos, Nd; n
Mrs. John HoDkins. of Washington; e
Mrs. S. o. Butler, Of Reidville, Va; I
Mrs. Frances Barcley, of Washington, 3
and Miss Annie Pope, of Laytonsville. b
Nothing in the history of Montgomery &
county in recent years has stirred the a
people Of the western parI of the coun- a
y as has the shooting of Saturday ],
evening. Mr.. Pope was a prominent q
farmer, q good church worker, and a Il
eader Of the Democratic party In that q
section. All day yesterday neighbors a
or miles around drove to the Pope a
home to express t'Ieir sympathy. The a
lome Is situated on hillside and ts a