Obituary--samuel B. Thompson

Death, Tuesday, called for Samuel B. Thompson and found him at home. Samuel "rests from his labors and his works follow him." Samuel B. Thompson was an eccentric colored man, and was familiarly known by the name of "Steamboat" Thompson. His age was of ihat uncertain character that in the absence of knowledge may be conjecturally stated at somewhere between 70 and 85 years. "Steamboat" was a great character, a man of resources, and had lived many years in Ann Arbor. He lived by his wits, which comprehended a smattering of law and gospel and some of the mild forms of petit larceny, and he never neglected to borrow a quarter whenever a quarter was to be had by borrowing. Owing to devout piety, which occasionally assumed a malignant form, he was sometimes called "The Bishop." Along this line he acquired some distinction by circulating a subscription for a new church, to be known as the "Cleveland Memorial Church." To the fund, so raised, many citizens contributed something, but the church was never built, and just what became of the Cütitributions there is perhaps no person now living who can teil. Steamboat was a "lawyer," and made collections. He was also a "pension attorney," though just what he accomplished in rhe way of drafts on the Unted States treasury in favor of the country's defenderá may have a history; but if so, it is probably written in one of the dead languages. His practice in court was mainly in self defense. Judge Kinne was once compelled to have him arrested in order to re cover possession of some law books, so absorbed was he in the acquisition of legal lore. At another time he experienced some trouble on account of retaining possession of a lio bilí which he demanded and received as a hostage for the price of a night's lodging- 15 ets. The person lodged was "a stranger" and Thompson according to scripture "took him in." For this bibücal act the stranger had him arrested and arraigned before Justice Frueauff, where by eloquence and pathos that would have made the stone sphinx shed tears he secured the privilege of making settlement. The court could not resist his appeal when in lachrymose accents he threw himself on his mercy exclaiming, "Now, Eugene, don't be too [ hard on me! " . At times, Mr. Thompson expeperienced lapses from his allegiance to the republican party, and then the tidal wave rolled in favor of the democracy, and democratie nickels and quarters found their way into his pockets. In latter years these fluctuations became so frequent that some people boldly accused hira of mercernary motives, but he always indignantly repelled the charge and declared that he stood for principie alone. He had many good parts. He was cheerful, genial, sociable and often able to instruct those who considered themselves his superiors. For these qualities and for others which he possessed, Samuel B. Thompson will be missed. He was a veteran of the war and belonged to the io2d colored regiment. He leaves a wife but no children.