The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01
DEATH Of FRANK
THOMPSON
Faithful to His Duties
to the Last
Twice Representative to the Legisla-
tnre and Twice Sheriff 0i
Somerset County

Frank Thompson, ex-Sheriff and
Representative to the Maine Legisa-
ture, died Saturday morning at his
home in this village after being CON
fined TO his home for less than one
week. His health had been failing
for more than a year. but he had
kept about among his friends and at
tended TO his business duties so faith
fully, that his acquaintances were not
aware of the seriousness of his condi-
tion. But few men have answered
the last call, who will be more sin
cerely missed than will Mr. Thomp-
son. His activities have been varied
and his almost a half century's resi-
dence In Skowhogan have acquainted
him with people of all classes. His
generosity of both service and money
have been noted with the utmost pro-
fit by those around him and countless
people in Somerset County are mourn
ing the loss of loyal friend in every
sense Of the word.
Mr.. Thompson was born in Jack
man 6S years ago and was the son of
Moses and Jane (Moore) Thompson.
He received his early education there
and before he was 20 years of age was
engaged in business for himself, be-
ginning with numbering and the buy
ing and selling of livestock. In this
last enterprise he was always more
or less Interested. For about forty
five years he has been in the market
business, having been thus engaged
in the Main street store with his
brother the late Abel H. Thompson.
Something over a year ago following
his partners death he became sole
owner of the business which he con-
tinued to operate until his death
The deceased was a staunch Demo-
crat and as such served his party in
various activities. He was twice
elected a Representative to the Maine
Legislature and in the fall of 1912
was elected Sheriff of Somerset Coun-
ty. Again in 1914 he was reelected
and served another term. For fully
twenty-five years he had been mem
her of the police force and at the time
of his death was chief OF the local
department. His faithfulness TO his
duties were emphasized by his last
trip to the business section OF the
town the Sunday before he died, when
fighting against his already serious
ailments, he donned his uniform and
was on duty when the Knights Tenn
the Methodist Church for their Easter
observance. This was only one of
the many manifestations of Mr..
Thompsons strict attention to his
duties While he was sheriff of
Somerset County, there are endless
records of his work in enforcing the
laws and performing the official work
which he had taken oath to fulfill
Mr.. Thompson was never a hard mas
ter but although he convicted men
right and left, he had the happy IA
Guilty of still remaining their friend.
In fact, the admiration OF the pris-
oners for Mr.. Thompson was such
that 1t has been remarked that he
might release them from their bond
age and yet they would return to him
for their sentences. He was gener-
GUS to the hearts core and his kind
ness has won for him the admiration
of the people. Mr. Thompson was
delightful companion and no one en-
joyed his friends more than he did.
His lodge affiliations with one ex-
ception, which was the Grange, were
with the Odd Fellows and it's allied
branches Parmenas Encampment,
Canton Somerset and Priscilla Rebe-
kah Lodge.
Mr.. Thompson married Miss Dassie
William of Embden and their entire
married life has been spent in SHOW
hogan. They had one daughter.
Bertha, who married Robert Hall and
has always resided at home. There
is one granddaughter, Elizabeth Hall
three sisters. Mrs. d. l.. Williams OF
Hamilton. Ontario, Mrs. c. II. Webber
of Lewiston, Mrs. Genie 'Howes OF
Skowhegan and other more distant
relatives.
During Mr.. Thompson's first term
of office as sheriff he decided that
no would again become a candidate
for the office at the June primaries.
At the proper time, he made his an
nouncement and so much like nm
were his statements made at that
time. we have decided to again pub
fish the message, believing that
our readers will see in it the charac-
teristics so faithfully practiced by
Mr.. Thompson in his lifetime.
MR.. THOMPSON SAID
al want to be reelected Sherin. III
that's the case, don't know as there
ia any harm in my saying So You
haven't seen much in the way Oh
statements from me since | took office
In January 1913. My promise was
given then to enforce the liquor law
/ meant it, though perhaps some didn't
believe so, and l have honestly tried
IN do II. We have all learned some
thing since that time. You Know
more about me and l know more about
the lob. It's a mighty hard one
have needed all the help could get.
Until you try it yourself, you won I
know how an officer wants the sym
nathv and confidence of the public
He'll find lots of folks, all the time
ready to sell liquor, and lots more
some of them otherwise quite respect
able people, ready to protect and en-
courage them in 1t. If the best peo-
nle the ones who really want things
straight and clean, don't encourage by
their sympathy at least, sheriff can
never do his best. ,o,.od
NOW it's your job and you plckeq
me out to do it. 1t is all proper
enough for YOU to say what you DO
ond what YOU don't like about it, |