Evening star., 1921-04-15
GOES TO GALL0WS
IN FEARLESS MOOD
Guy v. Thompson, Hanged at
Rockville for Murder, Ap-
parentIy Unconcerned.
Ipecial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, April 15-without
evincing the slightest trace of fear. and
apparently perfectly composed and un-
concerned, Guy Vernon Thompson, a
well known character of the vicinity of
Germantown, this county, where he
went by the name of ''villa." forfeited
his life on the gallows in the Jail yard
here this morning as a penalty for the
crime of murder. One hundred persons,
including three young women. witnessed
the hanging.
The crime which cost Thompson his
life was the murder Of James Bolton, a
farm hand, and two little children of
his housekeeper, Mrs. Hattie Shipley.
Bottoms home on the farm of Julian B.
Walters. near Germantown, was blown
up. by dynamite.
Trap Sprung at $3.50.
The trap was sprung by Sheriff George
Nicholson at 9:36 o'clock, and eight
minutes later Thompson was pronounced
dead by the Jail physician, DR.: o. NJ.
ear b wsm nnd the fsuaty aa hsa,h DsatS 0
due to a dislocation Of the neck.
The body was Immediately taken in
charge by an undertaken, who pro-
ceeded with it to the Presbyterian
Church at Neelesville. this county,
o'clock this morning. Thompson's
spiritual advisers. Rev. DR.. Cole. pas
tor Of the Fayette Street Methodist
Church. in Baltimore, and Rev. p. Ro-
land Wagner, pastor of the Rockville
Baptist Church, conducted the serv-
ices. .z,
thompson last evening was brought
over from Baltipore. where he had
been in Jail ever since few days af-
ter his arrest, ReAeAing here about
o'clock. Soon after his arrival. Rev
,e S is lie ~ss ss,ess 5sn 5a onsd
him in his cell and remained with him
throughout the night. as did Rev. Mr..
Cole of Baltimore. John A. Garrett.
his attorney. also spent the entire
night with the condemned man, who
made special request that he do so.
during the night. the remainder of
the time being devoted to prayer,
reading Of the Scriptures. singing Of
hymns and conversation with the min.
listers. -.
Not Afraid to Die.
Repeatedly during the night Thomp-
son declared he had made his peace
toward any one, was not only not
afraid to die. but considered it a rare
privilege to leave this earth under
such circumstances Although urged
by his spiritual advisers to make a
confession. IL he were guilty, Thomp-
son declined either to admit or deny
his responsibility for the crime. He
declared that after he had been con-
vfcted. and as everybody seemed to
think him guilty. he would let 1t
stand at that.
Just before the march to the scaf-
fold Thompson took from his pocket
the small testament presented to him
in Baltimore and requested that it be
given to his mother. On the inside
he wrote: ITO my dear mother. from
her loving son. who is soon to be
taken from this world of strife to be
received in the arms Of Jesus"
Walks With Firm Step.
Thompson walked to the scaftold
with firm step. coolly scanned the
crowd as the straps were being ad-
justed and displayed remarkable
nerve in every way. He earlier re-
quested Sheriff Nicholson to throw
open the gates of the Jail yard and let
everybody in, as he was anxious to
have as many as possible see him die
like a man. Sheriff Nicholson did not
comply with the request.
So far as it is known, none of
Thompson's relatives was in Rock
vile this morning.