Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-13
WEDDING BARRED,
MAN 49AND GIRL IS,
IN DOUBLE SUICIDE
]. Ford Thompson, Artist,
and Mary Sneeringer Found
Near Emmitsburg, Md.

forty-nine wears old, of Washington.
and Mary SneeTinger, sixteen years
old. a waitress in the Slasle Hotel OF
Emmitshurg. Md. calmly planned and
executed a double suicide near the
latter village Wednesday evening.
Their bodies were found late ycstrr-
day afternoon by searching party.
Mr.. Thompson, artist, traveller ana
arCheolp2ist. was born in Washing
ton. the son of the late DR.. J. Ford
Thompson. physician. of this city. He
was well known here and one OF the
incorrorators of the Chevy Chase
Club. He left this city about four
years ago and lived near Emmits-
burg and in Frederick. He was di-
Norced some time ago from his wife.
formerly Miss Florence Conrad, who
is now living in Paris with four
teen-year-old son.
Their Marriage Forbidden.
Mr.. Thompson went to iEmmtsburg
and to The Slaele Hotel a few months
ago, and there he met Mary Sneeringer.
a waitress in the establishment run by
her aunt, Mrs. A VI. Slagle. Their
friendship grow and Mr. Thompson is
said to have contemplated marrying
her. The love affair was opposed.
however, by Mrs. Slagle. both on the
grounds of the difference in ages. and
because Mr.. Thompson was divorced
Miss Sneerin2er was q Catholic.
Despite the opposition the man and
the girl continued 10 plan for mar
riage, it is stated. and Mr.. Thompson
came to Washington not long ago to
make inquiries relative to placing the
girl in d local educational institution.
A few days ago. however. Mrs. Slagle
definitely notified Mr.. Thompson that
he would have to leave the hotel and
forbade him TO see the girl again.
Wednesday afternoon the couple left
the fl,
Both CIasped RevoIvers.
They failed to return that evening
and Mrs. Slagle notified the police.
who began a search which took in
the surrounding villages Nothing
accomplished from this. the police of
several cities were notified and yes
terday afternoon a telegram was re-
ceived here, telling the Washington
authorities to look out for and arrest
the supposedly clipping couple.
Detective Fred NJ Cornwell placed
the case in the hands of other detec-
tives, who learned that Mr.. Thompson
had stopped several times at Meridian
Mansions on 10th street Search
there revealed he had left a week
ago, but two letters. bearing recent
dates on the post marks and dated at
Emmitsburg, Md, We're found.
Later in the evening a message was
received here from the sheriff at En-
mitsburg. telling of the discovery
not far from the village of the bodies
of Mr.. Thompson and Miss Sneeringer.
Both claSped revolVerS and both were
I wounded in the temple. A search of
the girls room at the hotel resulted
in the discovery of Il note, written by
the girl and addressed to her aunt, in
which she said goodbye and directed
that her possessions be left to her
. mother.
The note, together with the position
in which the bodies were found. es-
tabhshed the theory of suicide beyond
a doubt. the police declare.
In Roosereifs Rough Riders.
Although Mr.. Thompson was born
in this city. his early life was spent
abroad, where he was educated. He
travelled great deal in Switzerland
and Egypt and had been around the
world a number of times. He fought
in the Spanish American war with
Col. Rooseveit's Rough Riders
Although he had gained some repu-
tation abroad as a painter. his work
was little known here, and lately be-
cause of trouble with his eyes, he
had been compelled to give it I'D al
together. He was left large in
come, to be paid in installments. by
his father, DIR. F. Ford Thompson.
He lived life of leisure, and a little
before his death was said to be con-
ternplating another trip abroad.
DIR. Thompson lived for many years
at the corner of 9th street and Massa-
chusetts avenue northwest, and his
former residence later was RACED to
make room for the present building
occupied by the American Federation
of Labor. Later, with his wife, he
lived at the Mt. Vernon apartment
house, 9Th and New York avenue, and
made that his residence until his
death. few years ago.
Dined in City Week Ago.
Mr.. Thompson was in Washington
week ago today and took dinner
with his cousin, DR.. j.. Lawn Thomp-
son, of 1913 goth street northwest, at
the Meridian Mansions, 2400 10th
street. During the meal he is said to
have made some mention of Miss
Sneeringer, and intimate1 that he want
ed to, and hoped to. marry her soon.
This was not the first time, however,
that Mr.. Thompson had spoken of the
girl. He Is said to have told friends
here of his friendship with her and
a desire to educate her in Washing
ton. On recent trip to this city he
visited young ladies seminary and
made inquiries there about having
her placed in school this fall.
Mr.. Thompson had fear of death,
which is said to have been abnormal.
1t is known that ne worried about his
health continually. and was in the
habit of consulting physician over
the taking of his life must have
been prompted by an emotion strong
er than his fear of death itself.
About four years ago Mr.. Thompson
left Washington and went up into
Maryland. not far from Emmitsburg,
and took up his residence there.
1t was here he met the girl, who
was employed in the Slagle Hotel
as waitress, and there was be-
gun the romance which eliminated
Wednesday night in the double trag
edy.
After he left Washington Mr.
Thompson was in the habit of visiting
this city once every two or three
months. He made 1t a custom to stay
at one of the local hotels or apart
ment houses while here, and his visits
never exceeded a week or two. The
securing funds from the estate left
him by his father, was the purpose
of these visits.
spent short Time Here.
Recently he occupied an apartment
for short time at the Meridian Man
sions, 2i00 18th street. and about July
81 left for Frederick. Md. where he
enga ged a room in the Y. NJ. c. a.
building. living there part of the
time and at the Slagle Hotel, in En-
mitsburg. the rest of the time
Mr.. Thompson is survived by two
sisters. Mrs. Thomas l.. McArdle, wife
of DR.. McArdle of this city, and Mrs
Robert Waddell of Westchester. Pa,
and a cousin, Dr. Thompson of this
city.
The body Of Mr. Thompson Will be
brought 10 this city today and plac
in Csawler's undertaking establish
ment. The burial Will be n Oak Hill
cemetery.