Decatur County Journal
January ll, l906
Rev. Seth Samson, who is living at Bedford, has written a letter to E.C.
Wilson, of Van Wert, giving the following particulars concerning the
death of J.M. THOMPSON:
Bedford, Ia., Jan. 5, '06
Dear Nephew:--Your old lieutenant MONROE THOMPSON died at his home in
this town yesterday between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning. He was
around the day before as usual and yesterday morning was engaged in
doing chores. He came in and complained that he was feeling badly and
laid down. He asked for some medicine which his wife gave him and a
little later on he asked for more. His wife went to get it and found
him dying when she returned. A doctor was promptly summoned but MR.
THOMPSON was dead before he arrived. The doctors say death was caused
by a failure of the nerve power of the brain. I know this will be sad
news for you.
MRS. JANE MURRY is MR. THOMPSON's cousin. He was a prominent citizen of
Bedford and very highly respected. I bought goods of him in Dahlonega
forty-seven years ago. He was employed as clerk in Ed Close's store in
Leon about forty years ago. He was a member of the Presbyterian
Church. The funeral will probably occur Sunday. I have not seen him
this winter. I called at his son's store once but he was not there. I
think he has kept pretty close to his room this winter.
S. SAMSON.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
September l5, 200l