The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-04-28
CONFEDERATE VETERAN DIES
AT HOME OF SON IN MICHIGAN.


A message was received in this city
Sunday announcing the death of Mr..
Keller Thomas, which occurred Sat
urday night in Worthwhile, Mich, the
home of his son, Mr.. Henry Thomas.
Mr.. Thomas was former resident of
Bounbon county and went to Michigan
Bourbon county and went to Michigan
about ten years ago, where he has
since resided He was siXty-eight
years of age.
The message announcing his death
did not contain any details, and his
relatives here are awaiting informa-
ton regarding the time of the arrival
of the remains, which will be sent to
this city for burial.
Mr.. Thomas was a son of the late
| Mr.. Henry Thomas, of Bourbon, one
of the most widely known and most
prominent distillers of the State and
was born and reared in Bourbon coun-
| ty, where he spent the greater part OF
! his life.
At the outbreak of the Civil War
he cast his fortunes with the South
and enlisted in the Confederate SER
vice, in the company organized by the
late Capt. Harry Bedford, Company
c., Fifth Kentucky Cavalry He was
gallant soldier and fought in all the
principal battles in which the COM
mand of General John H. Morgan par
ticipated and distinguished himself
for his bravery in many memorable
conflicts.
When the gallant band under Nor
gan, in the summer of 1854 invaded
| Ohio, Mr. Thomas accompanied his
command and was always in the front
ranks of each battle fought on the
Northern grounds. However, in July,
1864, Morgan's command, overwhelm-
ed in force was compelled to surren-
der at BuffiingtOn'S Island, and Mr..
Thomas and his comrades were con-
fined in the Federal prison at Camp
Morton. Later they were transferred
to Camp Douglas, in Chicago.
1t was while he was imprisoned in
Chicago that Mr. Thomas through a
feat of strategy accomplished his es-
cape and arranged for the escape of
his comrades. He made his way to
Canada, where he remained for some
time, later returning to Chicago, with
General John B. Castleman, Capt.
Hynes, and other Confederate lead
ers, where they were associated in
what was known as the Knight of the
Golden Circle, which was organized
| for the liberation of the Confederate
prisoners confined in Camp Douglas.
! The plans of the organization were
miscarried and the members of the
order were compelled to leave the
North for fear of being recaptured
With several of his comrades he made
his way South and was about to again
enlist in the Confederate army when
the war came to close.
Mr.. Allen Kiser. of this city, who
was with Mr.. Thomas all though the
war, about a month ago received a
letter from him in which he stated he
was enjoying good health and was
quite contented in his home in the
North. His old comrades received the
news of his death with great sorrow.
Mr.. Thomas had been ill bout three
weeks and was on last Thursday ia
ken to hospital in Worthwhile, Mich,
where an operation was performed,
although the dispatch did not state
the nature of the illness which caused
! his death.
| Mr.. Thomas is survived by two
daughters, Mrs. w. G. Talbot, and
Mrs. Joseph Ewalt, of this county and
one son, Mr.. Henry Thomas, of Mich
igan