Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-08-06
|. \. THOMPSON
DIES SUDDENLY
Veteran Journalist Victim
of Paralysis Early
Today
POLICE COURT JUDGE
Once Mayor Of Alexandria-Over Half
Century on Gazetfe-Death Shock
to His Many Friends.

Luthc. II. Thompson, seventy
three years old. chief editorial writer
| on the Alexandria Gazette, police JUS
tice of the city and q former mayor
of Alexandria. died suddenly at 7:45
o'clock this morning at his resi-
dence. sol South Fairfax street.
Death was due to paralysis.
Mr.. Thompson was stricken while
| in his bed at $50 o'cloci: this mcrn-
ing and at G:30 o'clock apparently
rcsainci consciousness for a few
moments and expired at the fore
going hour surrounded by members
/; Of his family.
DR.. 7. NJ. Jones was summoned
and remained with him until the end
came.
1t is thought that the paralysis eff
fccted the brain. Mr.. Thompson had
not been i'll. being III his usual health
when he retired last night.
The deceased besides his wife who
was a Miss Mary r. Wallace. Of
Washington, is survive by three
, daughters and five sons as follows:
Mrs. Wellington Crockett, Miss Leila
Thompson and Miss Helen Thompson
and Mcssrs. Hcber, Elmer, E9gar.
Russell and Luther Thompson.
He also is survived by the follow
ing sisters an& brothers: Ms. Maria
| Moore. this city; Mrs. Emma Heish-
lev. Washington; Miss Mildred
! Thompson. Alexandria; Mrs. Eliza
beth Hoffman. Washington. and Ed
gar r. Thompson, Washington.
For p period of two years Mr..
! Thompson served as mayor OF the
city. being elected mayor by the
city council AUGUST 80. 1888. to sue
/ coed the late John G.. Beckham who
resigned.
Mr.. Thompson for many years was
a member Of the School Roard. ana
clerk of the board Of aldermen and
he became police justic" Of the city
! in 1917 succeeding Harry i. Cation.
! RESIGNED. Some time ago he was
reappontcd to that position b. Judge
| +. E. BARLEY for a second term. Upon
! assuming the duties Of police justice
Mr.. Thompson resigned as clerk oi
the boarS of aldermen.
The deceased also for many years
was magistrate and frequently
served as police justice before
being appointed to that ctlicc Mr..
Thompson was actively identified
with the church and SUNDAY School
VOL, cf the Second Presbyterian
Church. being 'nclder in that church
Tho dcccasci was printer ny
trade and learned his trade on tn"
| Alexandria Gazette. In point OF
service he was the oldest journalist
in the state of Virginia. having
serve fifty-ninc consecutive years
ON the Alexandria Gazette Starting
IN as newsboy he aftcrward form
cd a liking for printers ink and soon
became an apprentice on that paper.
After number Of years he became
citv t:tor IHier the latc ii"rol"
| snow,cn and when the paper changed
hands several years ago ne was
made chief editorial writer wn-h
position he filled at the time Of his
death.
MIR. Thompson was on the Gazette
for nearly sixty years, having roun9-
cd oat his fiftv-ninth year last
Christmas On which cccasion ne was
presented with hanaS"n'" gold
vatch bv the citizers of Alexandria
as . token of the esteem in which nc
was held. A speech of presentation
on that occasion was made BY NJ. Z.
Harlow ar3 suitable response was
made hv Mr.. Thompson.
| The deceased enjoyed the c"nt'-
dencn and esteem Of the entire COM
mrnity an; the announcement of MS
oath came rs distinct shock to his
many friends throughout the city
today.
AS police justice he collected more
fines for the city OF Alexandria than
ever before in the history Of the
city am by his fairness to all c"n1
cerned won the confidence and es-
! teem of all with whom he came IN
| contact; especially the members OF
the bar association Of the city.