Daily Illinois State Register, Springfield, IL
Death Notice of Patton Thompson

May 22, 1878 On the 20th, Mr. Patton Thomas, as well-to-do farmer in Russell county, Va., died from the effects of poison. Mr. Thomas had a cancer in his face. Last Wednesday a tramp, calling himself John Lloyd, and hailing from Danville, Va., called on Mr. Thomas, and proposed to cure the cancer in twenty days. Thomas agreed, and the tramp began the application of his remedies, making one application each day, when his unfortunate patient died, the arsenic in the preparation used being absorbed and entering the circulation. The tramp was arrested and threats of lynching were made. He was confined in an out-house and made his escape by getting through the roof.