IN ABJECT POVERTY

Opunake Times, 12 January 1934, Page 1

IN ABJECT POVERTY

Mr Hosiah V. Thompson, once a leading coal mine owner in Pennsylvania, and only a few years ago worth £15,000,(100, died in abject poverty in New YKrk recently, aged 77. The wheel of fortune revolved mercilessly in the career oi Mr Thompson, who was variously known as the “Coal King,” and the “Coke King.” He was also a hanker, financier, and moneylender, who at the outbreak of war owned 141,410 acres of the richest coal lands in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

A huge florid man of boundless energy and magnetism, Mr Thompson was aggressive, pugnacious and an incurable gambler. He over-extended himself was forced to go into bankruptcy, listing his liabilities at £4,500,000. Went to Gaol. His misfortunes culminated in 1000 when, shortly after taking as his second wife, “Honey” Hawes, a Broadway show-girl, an indictment on charges of misappropriating funds resulted in his going to gaol for failure to pay £OO,OOO to the estate of Mr John A. Nichols.

Thompson lived in the days of his iwv-eriy as in the days of In's vast wealth, on a magnificent estate, Oakhill, which his creditors peimilted him, because it was a white elephant to retain as an empty symbol of past splendour. There he passed his last years servantless, and in tragic loneliness. His mansion, with 52 guest rooms, the scene in happier days of sumptuous entertainments had fallen into disrepair.

His only mourner was his third wife, for “Honey” Hawes divorchim.