Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1899 — A Shockingly Sudden Death. [ARTICLE]

A Shockingly Sudden Death.

Thomas Thompson Died Tuesday Evening In The Conrt House. A very sudden death of a prominent and much esteemed citizen occurred here v late Tuesday afternoon, July 18th. It was that of Thomas Thompson, a resident of many years, and well known throughout the entire county. He had been in different offices in the court house, and a little before five o’clock went into the clerks office and was sitting in an easy chair with his feet on the table* talking to Mr. Coover, on the opposite side of the table. He was in a very cheerful mood, and gave no indication, in any way, of not being in his usual health. The only other person in the room was C. W, Hanley, the attorney, and who, just as he was starting to leave the room, saw Mr. Thompson straighten back in his chair shut his hands and raise them convulsively to his chest The two men went to him at once, but he was unable to speak, and in fact made no attempt to. Others came in and he was lifted from the chair and laid on a large table and Dr* English was sent for. He endeavored to revive Mr. Thompson by hyperdermic injections but without effect. He moaned slightly once or twice, and breathed faintly for about 10 minutes, when life was pronounced extinct. The exact cause of his death could not be determined without an autopsy, but a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain causing paralysis of the heart and lungs was the probable cause. He bad not recently complained of illhealth except from rheumatism, and for which he had intended to go to some springs in a few days for treatment. He had formerly, and for many years, suffered greatly from an aggravated form of eczema, but for the last year or two was free from that trouble.