Kit Carson County, Colorado Histories

Trehern W. and Linda (Parker)(Merrick) Thomas , Glenwood Springs
 
November 1894 Glenwood Springs

November 1894 Glenwood Springs "Yesterday shortly after noon Ex Sheriff T. W. Thomas, in a most brutal and cowardly manner, assaulted H. J. Holmes of the Avalanche, at the office of Attorney C. W. Darrow.
Mr. Holmes was in the attorney's office looking up some legal technicality, when Thomas, who had seen the newspaper representative enter the office, sneaked in the door quietly, and jumped upon the editor from behind, forcing him to the floor and there unmercifully hammered him in the face and head, which the big brute pounded to a jelly.
At the outset it was hard to tell which was on the bottom, as Thomas threw Holmes to the floor, and piled Attorney Darrow and several chairs and other office furniture upon him. As soon as Darrow could extricate himself from the chaos, he left the office in search of an officer to stop the affray, and finding Sheriff Ware on the street, brought him to the scene. Louis Schwarz was in the office of Mr. Darrow while the fight was in progress,.but did not take any part in making the fight even. Thomas asked for someone to hold Mr. Holme's hands till he killed him.
Finally, the editor got on his feet, and was giving Thomas all he needed, when Sheriff Ware arrived and separated the fighters, for which fact the brutish ex-sheriff seemed very grateful.
The trouble grew out of the publication of this article:
If the people are going to pay men to examine their officer's books, they should have competent men appointed by the court. The idea of appointing T. W. Thomas, ex-shenff, to examine books, when he was not competent to keep bis own books while sheriff.
Which appeared in the Avalanche editorial column yesterday, and which Mr. Thomas did not like, because it was the truth, and he can't bear the truth.
The publication of facts are what every newspaper editor should consider his duty. and the crooked work of any public officer should be exposed, and his incompetency published wherever found. We have investigated the true position of the ex-sheriff, and we shall publish the truth and take chances of his killing us while someone holds our hands. We propose to show the people what manner of man the self-avowed leader of the populist party is.
The injury sustained by Mr. Holmes is not very serious, yet the whole right side of his head and face was pounded tea jelly by the 'pug' ex-sheriff. Mr. Holmes issued a warrant for the arrest of T. W. Thomas before Judge Hedden on a charge ot araault. Marshal Murray made the arrest at the treasurer's office at about 6:30, and Thonins was taken before Judge Hedden and given a bond of $300, for his appearance at 10 o'clock Monday morning. J. K. Dellemer was the bondsman."

LINDA'S FAMILY

December 1895 Denver
December 1895 Denver "Judgment against the Rock Island road in favor of Linda M. Parker was entered in the federal court yesterday for $900, which sum it is said the company will pay without further litigation. Mrs. Parker was injured while a passenger returning from the World's fair In 1893 by a collision near a small town in Kansas."

March 1899 "Ex Sheriff T. W. Thomas and Mrs. Linda (Merrick) Parker were married at the home uf the bride last evening by the Rev. Hiram Bulis. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson, Mrs. Mattie Sumes? and Mr. and Mrs. John Stokes and children. Quite an elaborate lunch was served at the conclusion of the ceremony. The mariage has been eontemplated for some time and wishes for the future happiness of the new married couple is freely expressed by the friends of bride and groom. They will continue to reside in Glenwood."

In 1900 Cattle Creek precinct, Linda M. Thomas, born July 1862 in Canada, is with Trehern W., born March 1862 in Kentucky.

August 1901 "Go to the Grand Hotel, Glenwood Springs. Entirely remodeled and refurnished. Rates $2 a day. Special rates for regular boarders. One block from Main.
T. W. Thomas, Prop'r. "

July 1904 "Miss Emma Merrick, who has been with her sister, Mrs. T. W. Thomas for some months, went to Denver Sunday morning for a week's visit."
November 1908 "T. W. Thomas and wife left last night for Denver that Mrs. Thomas may receive medical treatment. They made a special trip here from the capital city that they might cast votes for Taft and Sherman."

July 17, 1909

May 1911 "Trehern W. Thomas, former sheriff of Garfield county, died in Glenwood last Monday afternoon from heart fuilure. The news of the passing of Mr. Thomas was reecived with surprise by our citizens, as it was not known that he was ill, as he was seen on the streets as late as last Saturday afternoon. Late that evening, however, he called a physician, who found him a very sick man. On Monday afternoon Mr. Thomas, against the advice of his friends, arose from his bed and started to walk about the house but collapsed, and sank to the bed, and a physician was called, who administered powerful stimulants, but they were apparently without effect, and the man soon expired.
T. W. Thomas was born in Kentucky 58 years ago last March of Welsh parents. When he was quite young his parents returned to their native land of Wales, and there Mr. Thomas spent the days of his boy-hood and early manhood, returning to this country just before he reached his majority.
He was well posted in mining, that having been the business of his father and other relatives for many years. Young Thomas worked for several years in the coal fields of Pennsylvania, and then drifted westward and located at Leavenworth, Kansas. Here he was chosea by a number of capitalists to visit Colorado and investigate the mining possibilities of this state. After spendng several months in Colorado, he decided to adopt the state as his home and has since remained here, the most of the time in Garfield county.
He was sheriff of Garfield county two terms about twenty years ago, and since then has been engaged much of the time with the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, much of his time in recent years having been spent at Spring Guleh and Marion. A few weeks ago, realizing that his health was failing, he came to Glenwood in order to take treatment and in the hope of regaining his former health. So far as known, Mr. Thomas had no relatives in this country except a brother who lives in Illinois. Some months ago, when quite ill, he willed all of his possessions to his sister-in-law, Mrs. F. E. Waters of this city, except a small tract of land in Illinois, which was left to the brother.
The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Presbyteriaa church in this city and conducted by Mrs. Agnes Moulton of Leadville, the recognized Spiritualist leader of this section. Interment was in Rosebud cemetery by the side of his wife, who preceded him about a year ago. The services at the grave were conducted by the Elks, of which order Mr. Thomas had long been a member."
The obituary said he was buried in Rosebud cemetery beside his wife, who died 'about a year ago'

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