New-York tribune., 1919-02-03
l2-Year-Old Son of Major
Leslie Thompson Held for
Accidental Homicide
Climax of Theatre Party
Parent Had Attended PIav:
Father, in Germany, Had
Taught Use of Firearms

In the Children's Court this morning
William Thompson, towselled- haired
boy of twelve, is to be arraigned on a
charge of accidental homicide. Late
Saturday night, in his mothers apart
ment, at 610 West 116th Street, re-
volver with which he was playing went
Oft accidentally His mother. Mrs.
Maud Webb Thompson, was sitting op-
posite him. The bullet entered her left
breast. She died within thee minutes.
The mothers body was shipped to
her home in Worcester, Mass, yester-
day. The hope Of Mrs. Waldo Ses-
sions, the boys aunt, who, with her
two daughters, is visiting here. is that
She will be able to take the son back
to Worcester tonight. She spent all
day yesterday in fruitless efforts to
obtain his release from the Children g
Society rooms. at Fourth Avenue and
Twenty second Street, where he was
sent early yesterday from the West
l25th Street police station.
Boys Father in Germany
Major Leslie Thompson, of the 304th
Infantry, 10th Division, the boys
father, is now in Germany with the
American army of occupation.
"a cablegram telling what has oc-
Cured" said Mrs. Sessions, "was sent
to his commanding officer to-day"
he accident came as the climax to
theatre party. Mrs. Thompson, who
was thirty-seven years old, had at
tended performance down town with
Mrs. Sessions and the later's two
daughters. William waited up for
them at home. firing of reading as
the evening wore on he got out his
fathers 25-calibre Colt automatic to
play with
"Hc often played with it," explained
Mrs. Sessions "His father had taught
him about firearms and he was wild
about Themes pecially since the war"
He was still fussng with the weapon
as he sat, after the party's return,
listening to his mothers tale of the
play. Then suddenly, without warn
ing, in sight of them all, the thing
went off.
Mrs. Thompson gave little cry
Cried, 'WiIlie, Pm S hot"
willie, I'm shot," she murmured, ,
The boy leaped up, distracted for a
second.
Owe shot my mother" he walled.
Then he pulled himself together and
made q dash for the telephone. In the
same call he notified Police Head
quarters what had happened and sum-
moned an ambulance from the Knicker-
booker Hospital. Mrs. Thompson had
died. however, before surgeon ar
rived.
Arrested, Willie told his story in a
passion of sobs.
Gle was even closer to his mother
sions yesterday. His father was
and ever since then Willie has regard
cd himself as his mothers special pro-
tector. He felt that he was taking his
fathers place, and the thought made
him astonishingly mature for lad
of his years"
Mothers Constant Companion
The family removed here from their
home in Worcester, Mass. after Major
Thompson's departure for France. in
order to be with the majors mother.
Mrs Lucy Thompson, who owns the
apartment house at 61O West 10th
Street. Willie was sent to the Colum-
bia Grammar School. In his hours Off
it is said, he was his mothers CON
stant companion, accompanying her al
ways on her shopping expeditions to
tea and to the theatre
At the Childrcn's Society yesterday
he was still very much shocked and
saddened youngstcr, but he contrivcd
officials said, to keep from openly
breaking down.
Before enlisting in the army. the
boys father was treasurer Of the Webb
Granite and Construction Company, of
Worcester, Mass.