Thomson - George
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 2 June 1899 p 1
Meager reports came to the friends of Dr. George Thomson last night that he had committed suicide at Shrevport, LA where he was visiting. Details are unobtainable at present. Dr. Thomson was a son of the late Prof. Samuel S. Thomson, who taught Latin in Wabash College for many years and graduated from Wabash in 1881. Since then he has been located in Chicago. The cause of the suicide is supposed to be the cigarette habit, of which he was a victim.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 9 June 1899
The people of Crawfordsville were greatly shocked last Friday to learn that Dr. George A. Thomson had committed suicide at Shreveport, La. The mere fact that he had done so was known, his relatives having received a message from the coroner there stating the fact and asking what disposition should be made of the body. The Journal immediately wired to Shreveport for details and in reply received the following dispatch:
"Shreveport, La June, 2, 1899— About four or five days ago, a very well dressed and nice looking man of between thirty and thirty-five years of ago registered at the Phonix Hotel in this city. He had a hand satchel, a valise and trunk, and seemed to be as far as observed, in good spirits. He registered as "G. A.Thomson, Chicago, 111." He was so quiet and unassuming in his manner that he did not attract the close scrutiny of the hotel people, who took no particular notice of his coming and going. He did not seem to have an acquaintance in the city and as far as is known formed no acquaintances. He carried the key of his room door in his pocket and no notice of his coming or going was taken by the office force at the hotel. Yesterday morning the chamber maid found the door locked. Supposing the occupant was sleeping later than usual she paid no attention to it, but when in the middle .of the afternoon she could not gain access to the room she notified Landlord Forrey that the door was locked on the inside and all efforts to arouse the inmate proved unavailing.
"When the door was unlocked the occupant of the room was found lying on his back across the bed between two pillows dead. He had on his shoes and was in full dress except his coat. The left arm was bared to above the elbow, and on the inner side of the arm were three gashes which had been made with a razor with the evident purpose of severing the artery. A razor was found by his side. Forrey immediately locked the room and sent post haste for coroner Coty, who took charge of the room and the body. A jury of five was empanelled, an investigation was made which resulted in a verdict that the deceased had died from the effects of drugs administered and wounds inflicted by his own hand. The body was given in charge of Undertaker Warring, and Coroner Coty immediately proceeded to send telegrams to a brother, Mr. Robert Thomson, of Crawfordsville, Ind. At a late hour last night no response had been received, except that the brother could not be found. The investigation of the coroner's jury revealed no word or sign to indicate what caused the unfortunate man to commit the act. An investigation of his baggage revealed that he had plenty of nice clothes and quite a lot of surgical instruments.
In addition to a kodak and among his effects there were also account books and letters, and papers. "His most recent business card bore the following: "Dr. George Allen Thomson, 1404, 5 Reliance Building, 100 State, Chicago Residence, 291 Forty-Fourth Street." Editorial transportation was found which was good from Kansas City to Chicago until May 31st, which had been extended to July 31st, evidently to give him time to come down south and visit Port Arthur. He also had editorial transportation from Kansas Cit7 to Port Arthur and return, with privilege of stop-over. Among the letters were several from his wife, who signed herself "Lule," and apparently written in the most affectionate and endearing terms, using every known means to encourage him and his efforts to find a new location and home, regretting their departure from Chicago, where they had leased so much happiness.
There were letters from his brother, Mr. Robert S. Thomson, written on the letter heads of Wabash college, Crawfordsville, Ind., which appeared to be the old family home." T. H. Ristine Friday received a telegram from Shreveport saying that the body had been shipped and would arrive here Sunday morning. Dr. Thomson had gone to Shreveport with the intention of locating there and expected to send for his wife in a few weeks, as soon as he was settled.
Dr. George Allen Thomson was the oldest son of Professor and Mrs. Samuel Steele Thomson. His father for many years occupied the chair of Latin in Wabash college and died early in 1885. His mother now lives in Minneapolis. His sisters are Mrs. T. H. Ristine, of this city, now visiting in Boston Mrs. John S. McLain, of Minneapolis Mrs. Eva McCarer, of Chicago, and Miss Mary Peck Thomson, now studying music in London. He has one brother, Robert Steele Thomson, of Minneapolis. He was about 33 years of age and graduated from Wabash college in 18S1. For four years he studied medicine in the University of New York under the famous Dr. Wm. Thomson, his cousin, graduating second in a large class. Upon the completion of his medical studies he located in the Auditorium, Chicago, and there he has since practiced, making a specialty of throat diseases. He had an office in Crawfordsville two years ago for a short time. About fifteen years ago ho was married to Miss Lulu Wilson, of this city.
The body of Dr. G. A. Thomson arrived in the city Sunday morning having missed the night train at Danville, Ill. The body had not been embalmed so it was taken to the undertakers office until in the afternoon at five o'clock when it was taken to Oak Hill, where short funeral services were conducted at the grave by Dr. J. F. Tuttle. - kbz