Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1898 — “Uncle Dick” [ARTICLE]

“Uncle Dick”

Uncle Dick Thompson, of Terre Haute, who is one of the fathers of the republican party in Indiana and has attended every republican Gonventiqn ever held in this state, was unable to be present at the recent state convention but sent a letter of regret. According to his own statement he has been associa--1 ted in one way or another with every president except George Washington and John Adams. “I saw Thomas Jefferson,” he says, was trotted on the knees of James Madison and patted on the head by President Monroe. I was serving with John Quincy Adams when he dropped dead. I was given my first political advice by Andrew Jackson. I met Martin Van Buren and helped elect William Henry Harrison. I was’well acquainted with Taylor and Filmore and was a close friend of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. I served in congress with Abraham Lincoln and was counted among his friends. I knew Johnson and Grant and was secretary of the navy under Hayes. Harrison, Cleveland and McKinley are the ones with whom all are familiar.” Thus, in a nutshell, is the life connections of Indiana’s “grand old man” summed up, as in his 90th year he passes from the scene of his activities. He has lived to see most of his politicol associates pass from this world and it is with •but little regret that he sees his own existence coming to a peaceful end.