Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-05-15
DISTRESSING ACCIDENTS.
James F. Thompson Loses His Life
George T. SisIer Has
Foot Cut Off.
Rev. Mr.. sydenstricker Badly Hurt.

F0Ot VII Otfs
Rev. Mr.. Sydenstricker Badly Hurt.
One woe upon anothers heels doth tread.
So last they follow"
James F. Thompson. one of the best
known residents of Martinsburg. and
widely known not only in Berkeley and
Jefferson counties, but throughout the
State, met with fatal accident last Fri
day night. Mr.. Thompson went TO Shen-
andoah Junction Friday evening with his
wife and little daughter, who at that place
took Norfolk & Western train between
2 and 3 O'Clock a. m. for Roanoke, Va,
where they were TO visit Mrs. H. C..
Shull, a sister of Mrs. Thompson. In
company with r. L. Bridges, of Hancock,
Md, Mr.. Thompson at 2.lS a. m. board
ed B. & o. passenger train No. 3 for
Martinsburg. Just before the train pull
ed into the station at that place train
man called out "Martinsburg," and OPEN
ed the door of the vestibule. Just then
the train slowed up to allow freight
train to get out OF the way. Starting up
again suddenly, it is supposed that the
jar threw the unfortunate man from the
platform to an adjoining track, his head
striking violently on the rail. No one
saw him fall. nor was he missed when
the train pulled into the station. This
was about 2.30 o'clock. An hour later
the crew Of yard engine noticed the
body of man lying on the track near
the gas house. They were Mortified to
discover that it was the unconscious form
of Mr.. Thompson. He was taken to the
station, and from there was quickly re-
moved to the Kings Daughters Hospit-
al. II was seen at once that he was ia
tally injured. His skull was badly frac-
tured, and he was entirely unconscious.
Drs. Henshaw, Sites, Myers and Tonkin
were summoned, and after consultation
an operation was decided upon. AT $50
O'Clock the skull was trephined, a part OF
the bone being removed, but the injury
was so serious that there was hardly one
chance in thousand that he might re-
cover. He remained in an unconscious
condition until about 3 80 Sunday morn
ing, when he breathed bis last.
Mrs. Thompson was in ignorance OF
the accident until she reached Roanoke,
when her relatives met her and informed
her of the occurrence, they having been
notified by telegraph early in the morn
ing. She took the first train home from
Roanoke, and was met Saturday evening
at Shenandoah Junction by MIR. and Mrs.
Leon Ware, who took her quickly to
Martinsburg by automobile. She was
with her husband when he died.
Mr.. Thompson was in the 54th year
of his age. He was born and reared in
Martinsburg. He learned the printers
trade, but later engaged in the retail
clothing business, in which he was for
time phenomenally successful. He was
in business for himself at first, then as
partner with M. q. Tabler, and later with
his brother. AT one time he owned the
Martinsburg World, but sold il after run
ming it a couple of years. He was a
member of the Masonic order, OF the
Knights of Pythias, the Elks, Moose and
Modern Woodmen of the World. He
was generous and genial man, of many
excellent qualities, and he had a wide
circle OF friends in West Virginia who
will regret to learn of his untimely death.
Mr.. Thompson was married to Miss
Minna S. Ray, of ShepherdStown, a
daughter of the late Mr.. and Mrs. John
R. Ray. He is survived by his wife and
ten children: Mrs. Leon H. Ware, James
F. Thompson, Jr., John H. R. Thomp-
son, Stephen B. E. Thompson, Wayne
H. Thompson, Samuel J. Thompson,
Annie L. and Mary J. Thompson, all of
Martinsburg; Mrs. Minna Iden, of Wash
ington, and Mrs. Ella Potter Burgess, OF
Parkersburg; also the following brothers
and sisters: Charles E., Harry s., Lewis
H., Benjamin j., ]. Frank and J.. William
Thompson, Mrs. Annie Ryneal, Mrs. +.
Vernon Aler and Mrs. Boyd Lambert.
The funeral service was held Tuesday
morning at the home of the deceased in
Martinsburg, Rev. G. c. Smith, of the
Baptist Church, officiating. The body
was inferred in Norbourne Cemetery with
Masonic honorS.