Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-21
John r. THOMAS, KILLED IN
OKLAHOMA PRISON MUTlNY,
SPENT SUMMER HERE.
MISS CARRIE THOMAS,
DAUGHTER, LIVED HERE
Friends Of Judge Thomas Here Shocked
at AwfuIness of Tragedy That Cost
His Life-Beesed Convict Not to
Shoot Innocent observation-disclosures
Prominent in Illinois.

Marshalltown friends Of John X.
Thomas. former congressman from ILL
nois. were shocked Tuesday night at
the announcement Of his tragic death
at MeAlester. Okla, carried in the AS
ISOLATED Press dispatches published in
the T.-R.
Mr.. Thomas, several years ago, was
a frequent visitor to Marshaltown, ana
spent one summer here, living at the
Pilgrim. His daughter. Miss Carrie
Thomas. was for FIVE years, prior to
1889. employed as governess Tor
Esther and Noretta Boardnlan. the fos-
ter daughters Of the late Mr.. and Mrs.
H. E. J. Board1nan, now Mrs. L. A.
Busbs. of Chicago, and Mrs. Burre, Of
Los Angeles, respectively.
Stricken down by the bullet Of an as
sassin, as he pleaded for his life, made
the awfulness of the tragedy even more
striking, Judge Thomas was caller
at the office Of the state Denitentiary.
to fulfill business engagement with
Warden W. W. Dick. Three nutinous
convicts, armed by friends who had
caused weapons 10 be StnuSSled into
the penitentiary, rushed thru the war
denis office on their break for liberty,
and shot Mr.. Thomas dead as he
pleaded with them that the life of an
innocent bystander be spared. Seven,
including he three cCaTicts, We're
killed, and two others were wounded,
as result Of the outbreak.
Thomas Prominent in Illinois.
John r. Thomas was prominent in
the political life Of southern Illinois in
an early day. having represented his
district in congress for five consecutive
terms. He also served in congress
from the Indian territory, and was a
federal judge in territorial days His
daughter, who went from this city TO
Muskogee to join her father. is now
married and lives in California Mr..
Thomas has . son, John R Thomas,
Jr., who Is . captain in the First
United States infantry. at present sta
toned at Honolulu
Thomas Career Brilliant.
The Chicago Record Herald Of this
morning refers to Mr.. Thomas brillian
career as follows:
Before he cast his lot in the south
west John r. Thomas. who was killed
by H1,ttnous conv.cts at the peniten-
tialy at McAlester. Okla, Monday, was
a conspicuous figure in Illinois. He
enjoyed more than a local renown as
a soldier and orator, and after his first
election to congress, in 1879, from that
section OF the state popularity known as
Egypt he was returned four times.
He had a hard fight each time and
won against the candidate backed by
General Logan The sixth time the
opposition from other candidates was
too strong. and Mr.. Thomas gave way
to George W. Smith, of Jackson county,
who served in ten successive con-
crosses.
Mr.. Thomas was born at Mount
Vernon, jefferson county, Oct II. 1916.
and attended the common schools and
the Hunter Collegiate Institute at
Princeton, Ind. He served during the
civil war in the union army, and rose
from the rank Of private TO that Of
captain Of Company D, One Hundred
Twentieth Indiana infantry.
After he was mustered out Mr..
Thomas studied law and was admitted
to the bar in 1869. The next year he
was city attorney OF Metropolis. and
from 1871 to 1874 was states attorney.
From that office he rose into his seat
in congress.
Many stories are still current In
Egypt of Bob Thomas campa;s,
methods. 1t is said ne was known to
plow four rows Of corn with a farmer
walking beside him, meanwhile Offer
ing arguments why he Should be sent
back to Washington 10 represent the
district.
On Naval Committee.
One Of the important committees on
which Mr.. Thomas served in congress
was that of naval affairs. and he won
considerable fame by drawing plans for
submarine warship. His keen inter-
ests in naval affairs led 10 reports that
he would be President Harrison's sec
rotary of the navy
In 1897 Mr.. Thomas was appoInted
United States judge in Indian territory
{ and he held that office until 1901. In
1905 he was elected the first represent
tattve In congress from Indian terri.
tory under the Sequoyar constitution.
which he helped to frame The first
republican convention Of the new state
OF Oklahoma nominated him Judge of
the supreme court, but he declined the
nomination and devoted his time to the
practice OF law in Muskogee. From
1908 to 1910 he was a member Of the
state code commission"