Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-02-28
VETERAN NEWSPAPER
CORRESPONDENT
IS DEAD
H. w. Thompson Srccumbs to an
Operation at Washington.

After thirtyseven years. ,nct1ve
service as a newspaper correspondcpt
Nichard W. Thompson. founder of
fhompson's News Bureau" Wosbinp
Ton, ID. c., succumbcd to an oporaiion
which had been performed to remove
an Intestinal obstruction, ami died at
freedman'S Hospital, Thursday Fob.
rhary IL, 1920, at 10 p. M. Funorol
services were held Sunday afternoon
reDruary 18th, at st. Lukc's Episco.
pal church of which he was a memhcr
hcctor~rT. j. Brown officiating, Tho
large mixed audience which Witness
Gu the impressive funeral ceremony
as well us the roses and carnations or
friendship and esteem that comnlcte,v
covered the. lilac-cloth cnsket wcr..
i,iu'e evidence of the fact that a great
o'"racler mad passed nway,-a great
character indeed IL useful service IS
measure OF true greatness. The hon
orary ana active pall-bearers were:
Judge Robert II. Terrell, John c. Dan
W LIT. Emmett j. Scott Of Howard
university, Walter J. Singleton ot tho
Muso.L1t Club, James n Howe, 7. A
Laokford, Thomas M. Dent, Henry
Lasslter, f. D. Lee, President Nation
~ memorial Association, Editor T,
"a Ss,lnliey Wilson Of the "Washtngton
Ssagle, end National Negro Press IA.
ISOLATION.
The Amphion Glee Club, under Tho
direction Of Prof. J. Henry Lewis feel
lngly rendered zone Sweetly Solemn
thought and Mrs. Anna Johnson
Mayo OF st. Luke's Choir, impressiv.
y sang solo entitled when ali f.
Done (words by Paul laurence
Dunbar. the peerless Negro noet md
music by G. Washington Adams n No
gro composer Of Washington, D CS
~ seemed especially fitting that a
sohs SO written and set to music
Should DC sung Mt the funeral of one
VINO win tongue and pen, had de-
voted all the energy Of his soul in pub
,isnihs ana exploiting the better side of
Negro life. JAW Va
The splendid eulogy pronounced
ny rector, L. J. Brown was most an
propriate and eloquent. He spoke Of
MS Visit to the bedside of Mr.. Thomp
son Just one day before tho operation
was performed and how agreeablv
surprised he was to note in the sick
man 8 words such an optimistic spfr
IL ana such firm religious faith. Re
ierrihg to the impending operation
the patient said: Eyes, Rector Brown
realize there is but one chance out
or hundred, but you know one
chance Is better than no chance AT
all ana, In case anything happens to
me tomorrow, You need have no cues
ton about it for / know in whom I
trust Continuing, Rector Brown
Sald: Il was peculiarly struck by
these words. because 1 have always
been skeptical of newspaper men,
politicians and other public men.
even when they come to church
nave often wondered whether they
were actuated by genuine religious
motive or impelled by some worldly
or less worthy purpose but in Mr.
Thompson's case I found him to be n
man who believed In God and believ-
ed IN his Race; he was an intellige mt
active, energetic man, one who devot
ed his talents in the direction Of IN.
cial rupltft,-one who was always
busy looking out for the best inter.
ests OF colored Americans and publish
Ing facts that would properly plead
our cause and give us just hearing
at the bar Of public opinion. His long
and useful labors as q newspaper cor
respondent have laid upon the whole
race debt OF gratitude for the valu
able services he has rendered."
lie leaves a wife, a married daught
or, and a legion OF friends, both col
ored and white, throughout America
to mourn their loss.
A brief resume of "R. W." Thomp.
sons useful career is deemed we'll
worthy Of space in these columns,
and should inspire other young men
and women Of our race to equip them
selves for efficient service in the i'm
portant field Of journalism. He was
born December 20, 1866, in Branden
burg, Kentucky; his early life was
spent in the State Of Indiana and he
was educated in the common and high
schools Of Indianapolis. At an early
age he evinced a remarkable aptitude
for public affairs; while in school he
showed proficiency in such studies as
political economy, civil government,
history and literature and was especial
ly telentcd in the art Of English com
position.
Losing his father when very young
he was largely dependent upon his
own efforts for a livelihood and work
ed at a variety Of pursuits to enable
him to continue his studies in school,.
In 1891 he became associated with