The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-07-14
SHERIFF THOMPSON A SUICIDE.
Hanged Himself at Home in Bellows
Falls Sunday.


Arthur III. Thompson, sheriff of Wind
ham county, committed suicide at his
home on Front street in Bellows Falls
Sunday. Various reasons for his act
have been surmised, but the real cause
will probably never be known.
At dinner Sunday Sheriff Thompson
appeared in his usual good humor. Dur
ing the early hours of the afternoon,
he was about the house and was last
seen by the family about three o'clock.
His son. Deputy Sheriff ID. II. Thomp-
son, returned from an auto ride early
in the evening and at supper the family
noted the absence of the sheriff and, as
il was his custom 10 20 out of town az
times without notifying the home folks,
the occasion did not warrant any alarm.
Later in the evening, however, Mrs.
Thompson became worried and sent her
niece, Miss Nav Lincoln, down town
for the son. A search was at once made
about the house and at 10 o clock, the
son went TO the cellar where he WAS
Mortified to see the lifeless body of his
father suspended by a hempen rope from
the rafter braces, near the furnace. Al
most in a state of collapse bv the grew.
some discovery. the son ran to a neigh
Dor S house and the medical examiner
was summoned. Rigor mortis was com
plete when the body was taken down
and the medical examiner stated that
death must have ensued six or seven
hours before.
The son stated that his father had no
business worries and that he was plan
ming to buy more lumber lots. in which
business he was interested with NJ. II.
Ray. He recently purchased an auto
in which 10 look more carefully after
his business interests. His last official
act was at the adjourned county court
session in Newfane last week. Friends
of the sheriff say that he had been
in a state of worry for the past month,
but several days before his death his old
time self had returned. To them, it was
inexplicable.
Arthur H. Thompson was born IN
Swanzey. \. H.. on March s, 1858 and
was the son of Daniel p. and Margaret
Thompson. The Thompson
family had been among those who first
settled in Keene. When seven years of
of age. his family moved to Keene
where he was educated and learned
his trade as iron moulderr. In 1850. ne
went TO Bellows Falls and secured work
at his trade in Osgood Barker 5
foundry.
The public service of the Inflated
sheriff extended in village affairs over
a period of % wears. He was connect
ed with the fire department for II
wears, and for three wears was foreman
Of the Hook and Ladder company. He
was also fire warden for four years.
During these wears his ability and faith
fulness to duty were noted and in 1881
he was elected by the village bailitts
chief of police. and for 10 years, he was
reelected TO that position. In
February of last wear, he was relieved
Of the office by action of the trustees.
In those wears of service Chief Th0mp-
son became known to almost every man.
woman and child in the village as a
kindly, sympathetic man. of large heart,
strictly adhering to duty.
In county affairs, he gave continu
Dus service of Is years and was recog
nized as an official of high stamp;
strong. able and courteous. In 1898,
he became a deputy sheriff and upon
The death of Sheriff Mcclure in 1908,
he was appointed by the governor TO
ID high sheriff of Windham county and
was reelected in 1908 and in 1910. His
present term would expire on December
|. 1912 At various times, Judge A. \.
Hall and W. W. Miles have made spe-
,ial mention of the late sheriff s tact
md good Judgment in handling the ses-
'ions of county court in Newfane, one
Ealing him the best court officer IN the
state.
In fraternal circles, he affiliated with
he local lodges of the Knights Of
ovthias and the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
He was married in Bellows Falls to
Miss Mary Cunningham of Keene. bv
whom he is survived. He also left
on, Daniel p, and a brother. Albert
THOMPSON of Keene. a retired army Of
icer. and sister, Mrs. Charles B. Os-
rood of Bradford.
Funeral services were held at
, clock. Tuesday afternoon. Business
vas suspended in the various stores and
,ffices shortly before that hour to en-
lble the business men to attend the
eryicps