Pvt Thomas Hale THOMPSON

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1900, Living with parents in Skagit, Skagit Co., Washington

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1900, Living in Skagit, Skagit Co., Washington

Notes:

Name:
A SAD DEATH

Dr. Wm. Thompson, the Well-Known Physician, Meets Death Through an Accident.

The whole community received a sad shock when the news was brought to the city that Dr. Wm. M. Thompson, the well known physician, had come to his death through a fatal error in drinking the contents of a bottle of carbolic acid instead of brandy as he intended. The doctor has for many years been a resident of Skagit City where he practiced his profession. His practice was very large, extending from the Stillaguamish on the south to the Samish on the north, and taking in the whole Skagit valley. Last Saturday the doctor was in Mt. Vernon most of the day on professional business, returning home late in the afternoon. During the night he complained of having a headache, and arose for the purpose of taking a drink out of a flask of brandy. His wife said to him he had better wait until she could light the lamp, but the doctor being sure of the position in which the bottle stood, that he did not wait for the light, but reaching a bottle in the darkness drank a large portion of the contents. Immediately he discovered his mistake, and calling his wife told her that he had drank out of the wrong bottle and taken carbolic acid in stead of brandy. Mrs. Thompson, though badly frightened, asked him what she should give him. The doctor realizing instantly the fatal dose he had taken, told her that nothing she could do could save him, and almost immediately lapsed off into a state of unconsciousness, in which state he continued for some time before death came. Mrs. Thompson, assisted by Mr. Garland, did all in her power by administering antidotes to counteract the effects of the deadly drug but to no avail, and though still alive when medical assistance arrived, he died shortly afterwards.
Dr. Thompson was born in Kennecksburg, Illinois, Sept. 1st, 1852, moving there to Memphis, Tenn. He came to Washington in 1883. Shortly after his arrival, he was married to Miss Mary Gates, a daughter of John B. Gates. By this marriage he had six children, one of which died a few years ago, and one son by a former marriage.
Dr. Thompson was a man of most noble impulses, always willing to sacrifice himself for the cause of humanity. His large and varied practice took him into the homes of all classes of people, and with all he was the same kind and considerate friend as well as physician. When called in a professional way, he never stopped to consider whether his fee was forthcoming, but responded just as quickly and cheerfully when called in doubtful cases as when summoned to attend people of wealth. The world is much better from the presence of such men as Dr. Thompson, and his loss will be keenly felt by those who depended upon him for medical assistance as well as those who enjoyed his personal friendship.

William married Mary Louise GATES on 18 Apr 1884. Mary (daughter of John Burns GATES and Sarah A. TURNER) was born on 30 Sep 1869 in Missouri; died on 28 Sep 1951 in Sedro Woolley, Skagit Co., Washington; was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, La Conner, Skagit Co., Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1870, Living with parents in Bee Branch, Chariton Co., Missouri
• Census: 1880, Living with parents in Mt. Vernon, Whatcom Co., Washington
• Census: 1900, Living with husband in Skagit, Skagit Co., Washington
• Census: 1910, Living in Lester, King Co., Washington
• Fact: 1910, Listed as being widowed
• Census: 1920, Living in Omak, Okanogan Co., Washington
• Census: 1930, Living in Tingley, Skagit Co., Washington
• Census: 1940, Living in Tingley, Skagit Co., Washington

Notes:

Name:
Mary was daughter of John Burns Gates I and Sarah A. Turner, pioneers of Skagit county and Whidbey Island. Mr. and Mrs. Gates resided in Missouri until 1871, coming to Washington when Mary was only two years old. For five years much of Mr. Gates' time was spent on Whidbey Island, working for others. During that time he cleared twenty-three acres of the virgin forest and commenced the orchard and meadow land home which was his until death.

April 18, 1884 Mary was married at the age 15 to Dr. William M. Thompson. Dr. Thompson was in his second year of practice in Skagit county, having moved from Missouri just as the county was splitting off from Whatcom. The Thompson's lived in Skagit City, and the Dr. ranged all over the western part of the county from La Conner to Mount Vernon. In those days before telephones, he was often summoned by a young boy of family who would guide him overland or row him by canoe to wherever someone was sick. William was once arrested for practicing in logging camps up in the woods without a license because his license had not yet arrived from Missouri. He died in 1902 after accidentally drinking poison. Marys step-son Ned Thompson made history in early Mount Vernon when he teamed up with a partner named Davis in the original T&D card room once on Myrtle Street.

Mary was married 2nd to 'Bordy' Moore & 3rd to Charles Eck. In the 1910 Census of King County she is listed as a widow head of household, occupation Cook. 1920 Census Omak, WA indicates that Mary was a widow, & a 'Farmer.' She is remembered to be a interesting & 'pretty resourceful female.' 'Would go out fishing before daybreak and catch a batch of fish for breakfast.' Once 'taking a rifle to some intruders on the property, think they were from the local tax offices.' At one time 'her hair was very thin and had a near bald spot on the top, so she pulled her long hair up in a knot on the top to cover it.'

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