The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
July 8, 1896
Page 1
Column 3Suicide of Walter Thompson Resulting
from Ill HealthWalter W. Thompson has for number of years traded in stock in and near Burnside, having the confidence of the entire community. Other dealers furnished him money to work on without stint and there is not recorded a single instance where this confidence has been abused. Some time ago Stephen Reed missed three steers from his pasture and after a week's search located them in Burnside, where they had been sold to local parties by Mr. Thompson.
His explanation of the affair was that he bought the cattle from two young men riding ponies and driving this stock on the highway south of Burnside. On complaint of Stephen Reed, Thompson was arrested for the larceny of the cattle, brought before Justice Dorothy Thursday night and bound over to a preliminary hearing set for Monday.
Sunday morning, July 5th, about 10 o'clock, Mrs. Thompson was startled by a gunshot in the woodshed and running out found her husband on the floor in the throes of death. Calling to Mrs. Evan near by for help, the neighbors were soon on the scene to find Thompson dead. He had sat on the floor, placed a shotgun to his heart and with the aid of a pitchfork pulled the trigger.
On a table was found a letter directed to his brother N. M., in which he states that he was innocent of the charge of larceny and after arranging some business matters, directed that the Woodmen take charge of the funeral and that Rev. Dudmen preach the sermon.
Squire Gordon empanelled a jury and sent for Coroner Hessian. A verdict was rendered in conformity with the facts. The funeral was held Monday; burial at McKay.
Mr. Thompson was 42 years of age, leaves the wife and six children, all small; also three brothers, N. M. and C. H., farmers near Burnside and Geo., a merchant of Ferris and an aged mother living with George.
He had a two thousand dollar policy in the Woodmen, out of which he directed his few debts to be paid and the balance to his family.
In justice to the deceased, it should be stated that no one believes that he was guilty of taking the cattle unlawfully. He has not been in good health lately and this, together with general bad luck and despondency, caused the rash act. The family have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
Father: Charles M. Thompson
Mother: Henrietta Wilkie
Children:
Lena Estella Thompson 28-Apr-1882 20-Apr-1904 Bert O. Thompson 21-Nov-1884 01-Dec-1918 Clarence Thompson . . Walter Francis Thompson 29-Nov-1887 16-Jan-1980 Fern Thompson . . Jessie E. Thompson 23-Apr-1895 25-Dec-1981
