Further details of Henry Thompson death 1863-1892

THE LIVERPOOL HOTEL TRAGEDY

SATISFACTORY CONDITION OF
MISS GELLEBURN

F U R T H E R D E T A I L S

On inquiry yesterday at the Northern Hospital to which Miss Gelleburn, barmaid at the Feathers Hotel, Clayton-square, was taken by ambulance after the terrible tragedy of Thursday night, the patient, upon medical authority, was reported as progressing favourably. It appears that the bullet, fired from the revolver of the suicide at close quarters, had penetrated the higher portion of the skull on the right side of the temple, and coming into contact with the upper table, which happened to be of unusual thickness, slanted obliquely upwards, a portion of the lead making it's exit near the top of the head. The deadly missile had smashed through the higher table of the cranium, and lay between that and the lower one in a flattened condition. This was, however, after a long and difficult operation at midnight safely removed, together with portions of the skull; and through the skilled ability of the hospital staff other incipient symptoms were at once allayed. It is expected that the injured woman will eventually recover without detriment of any kind. The would-be murderer planted his bullet only too surely, the lead passing above the right ear in a downward direction through the base of the brain, thereby causing instantaneous death.
Throughout Liverpool yesterday the shocking circumstances connected with the extraordinary tragedy were the subject of general conversation and surmise. Amongst the immediate acquaintances of Mr. Thompson, who by the way, is not connected with the firm of provision merchants, Messrs. H Thompson and Sons, of Clayton-square, regret, surprise, and sympathy with his relatives were the alternating expressions of feeling made use of. That morbid curiosity which invariably permeates the public at an occurrence of this character led many to visit the hotel and witness the scene of the tragedy, and throughout the day the upper and lower bars of the Feathers Hotel were more or less filled with anxious and merely curious inquirers. Mrs. Hamer, the

manageress of the place, appeared to be very much shocked with the affair, and has not yet overcome the feelings of horror which she experienced when on hearing the first shot, she turned her head and saw Mr. Thompson place the pistol against his forehead and fire the second time. She, however, maintained her presence of mind admirably, and after summoning immediate medical assistance, sent for he police and ambulance. Mrs. Hamer informs us that though Mr. Thompson had been drinking a good deal on Thursday, he maintained a perfectly calm and collected demeanour, and spoke in his usual subdued gentlemanly manner. When she asked him to have some tea, he said that he had made an appointment to dine at Waterloo, and that he did not care to take anything just then. That appointment, if indeed there was one, was not kept, and Mrs. Hamer left him standing at the mantlepiece in the small bar-room, and Miss Gelleburn was in the bar. She sat in the corner of the dining room, which is at the back of the bar, and the windows of that portion of the bar being open, she could just see a portion of the bar, and, as we have already stated, she saw the second and most horrible scene of the tragedy. Mrs. Hamer, though of course it had nothing of real interest to her, had for some time been anxious about the relations between Miss Gelleburn and Mr. Thompson, and although she was not aware that the incident which happened sometime ago of the letter which the injured lady received from Mr. Thompson, she said, yesterday afternoon, that it was quite correct. This alone was sufficient to put her in a state of extreme anxiety. She, however, on Thursday afternoon had no suspicion that matters had come to such a stage, and was entirely put off her guard by the collected manner of Mr. Thompson.
As to Mr. Thompson himself, it may be said that he was one of that class who are known as a "jolly good fellows." Ever genial, ever bright, he proved the best of company among his acquaintances in town. The deceased was a son of Mr. Robert Thompson, shipbuilder, of the Bridge Dockyard, Sunderland. Up to three years ago he was engaged in cattle ranching in Texas. He then came to Liverpool, and entered into partnership with Mr. Alexander Low, the firm being styled Messrs. Low Thompson and Co., provision merchants, of

8 Victoria-street. Having traveled a good deal, chiefly in the United States, he, it is said, had a habit of carrying firearms, and he frequently would show his friends a revolver. There is a tale in town of his having been in the habit of demonstrating his skill with the weapon, and proving himself to be a more or less accurate shot. The most sincere sympathy has been tendered on all hands to Mrs. Thompson, who is at present in a very weak condition owing to her recent confinement, and consequently is less physically able to sustain a blow of the severe character which the tragic occurrence must have caused her.
The exact nature of the relations existing between Miss Gelleburn and Mr. Thompson will not be known for some time. There is a slight probability, however, that certain letters from Mr. Thompson to the injured lady, which are at present in the hands of the police, may be put in at the inquest, to indicate the feelings and the reason of the fatal action of the deceased. Of course no criminal proceedings can follow, and therefore the probabilities of this course are not very great. Sufficient to say, then, that from the scant information which can be gleaned from various sources, it is understood that these documents, which Miss Gelleburn has been careful to keep, throw considerable light on the unfortunate affair. Further information regarding Miss Gelleburn shows her to be a lady of excellent character, and that she only left Mr. Butter's restaurant in consequence of some alterations in the premises - in fact, we are now given to understand that on Monday nest, Miss Gelleburn was to have returned to his employ. Mr. Thompson had been acquainted with Miss Gelleburn for some two or three years, meeting her first in the restaurant in Sweeting-street occupied by Mr. Butters.

The inquest will be held at the Coroner's Court today (Saturday) at 11:30, and it is understood that not more than two or perhaps three witnesses from the hotel will be called. The circumstances are so clear that after formal evidence of identification of the deceased it will be only necessary to call one of the barmaids, Mrs. Hamer, and possibly the "boots" of the hotel. Should the jury express a desire to adjourn till such time as Miss Gelleburn would be able to submit her version of the affair, the inquiry might be allowed to stand over; but, as no purpose could be served by adjournment, it is probable that the jury will immediately find their verdict upon the evidence already obtained. If criminal proceedings depended upon the finding of the jury, additional evidence would be necessary, such as medical testimony based upon a post mortem examination of the body; but under the present circumstances such a course has been rendered unnecessary.
It has been ascertained that Thompson purchased the six chambered revolver at Junca's gun shop in Manchester-street. He drove up to the place in a hansom about four o'clock in the afternoon, and as explained to the man in charge that he did not want a very expensive weapon, as it was simply for protective purposes during a trip to America. Having made his purchase Thompson left the shop, and nothing in his appearance or manner gave rise to the slightest suspicion.

On inquiring at the Northern Hospital at an early hour this morning, our representative was informed that Miss Gelleburn was progressing as favorably as could be expected.