Dr. William M. THOMPSON

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]

1. May Lucretia THOMPSON was born in May 1885 in Washington; died in 1967; was buried in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Skagit Co., Washington.
2. Edna Thomasina THOMPSON was born in 30 Sep 1886 in Washington; died on 11 Dec 1965 in Sedro Woolley, Skagit Co., Washington; was buried in Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley, Skagit Co., Washington.
3. Verna THOMPSON was born in Jul 1889 in Washington; died in 1898; was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, La Conner, Skagit Co., Washington.
4. Berde Nora THOMPSON was born in 1891 in Washington; died on 6 Sep 1939 in Seattle, King Co., Washington; was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, La Conner, Skagit Co., Washington.
5. William Cleveland THOMPSON was born on 15 Jul 1892 in Skagit, Sakgit Co., Washington; died on 23 Apr 1936 in Skagit City, Skagit Co., Washington; was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, La Conner, Skagit Co., Washington.
6. Pvt Thomas Hale THOMPSON was born on 3 Jun 1895 in Skagit, Sakgit Co., Washington; died on 27 Jan 1919 in Germany; was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, La Conner, Skagit Co., Washington.