Shawnee County KS Archives Obituaries.....JACKSON, Rice  April 5, 1947
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Jim Laird jlaird@bellsouth.net May 23, 2005, 2:14 am

The Topeka Daily Capital
Saturday
April 5, 1947

Dick Thomas Dies of Heart Attack Friday.
Was Formerly A Part Owner of Daily Capital.
Richard L. (Dick) THOMAS, died suddenly Friday afternoon at his home in the
Baker Apartments, 411 West 11th street. He had been in ill health for two or
more years, and suffered a broken himp in a fall at home on Feburary 11. He had
come home from Christ's Hospital only this week. A heart attack proved fatal. He
was 80 years old last January.
Born in Llantrisant, GlaMorganshire County, Wales, Dick Thomas came to America
with his family when but four years old. The family settled in Topeka and Dick
had to start work at an early age to help support his widowed mother following
the death of the father. 
During the years Dick Thomas was prominent in many endeavors. He served six
years as clerk of the Shawnee County District Court, at one time was a partner
with Senator Arthur Capper in ownership of the Daily Capital, was referee in
bankrutcy for years, and was considered one of the keenest financiers until his
retirement from active business several years ago.
Began as Office Boy.
First job Dick Thomas held was that of office boy for Maj. J.K. HUDSON, then
publisher of the Daily Capital. He went to work the same day in 1884 that Arthur
Capper, a youngster out of the Garnett High School, began his job as printer in
the Capital composing room. Later he became bookkeeper and cashier for the
Capital, while Capper changed over to a reportorial job, became city editor,
Washington correspondent, and later publisher.
Back in 1901 when the Capital was for sale, Thomas, Capper, W. V. ROBEY and
Harold T. CHASE, purchased the paper and ran it as a partnership for a few
years, when Capper became sole owner.
But thru all the years, Dick Thomas and Senator Capper have been close friends.
They both were "self-made" business men. 
After severing connection with the Capital, Mr. Thomas took his mother on a trip
back to the homeland in Wales. Upon his return he was elected clerk of the
district court on the Republican ticket, served six years and then was appointed
referee in the bankruptcy court by the late Judge J. G. SLONECKER. He hald this
position for many years.
Charter Member of Elks.
Thomas married Louise WILSON, sister of the late Walter E. Wilson, in 1909. They
had no children. Mr. Thomas was a regular attendant at the First Presbyterian
Church, was a charter member of the Topeka Elks Lodge, a member of the IOOF and
Moder Woodmen of America.
He was a brother of James E. Thomas, former mayor of Topeka, and a long-time
Santa Fe employe.
Fuenral arrangements have not been completed.
The body was taken to the Wall-Diffenderfer Mortuary. 



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