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NEWS EXCERPTS
Source: Olympia Daily Recorder
(Olympia, WA) Vol.: VI Issue: 63 Page:
1
Dated: July 30, 1907
RUMBAUGH FOLLOWS GIRL TO SUICIDE'S GRAVE
DESERTED FAMILY IN EAST
Principal Witness in Inquest Over Miss Matthews Death,
Shoots Himself in Room --- Was Infautuated With
the Girl and Latest Sensation Clears Up His Mysterious
Disappearance.
*******
RUMBAUGH DIES OF WOUND
COLORADO SPRIGS, July 31. - Amos R. Rumbaugh,
who shot himself rather than testify at the inquest over
the death of Miss Laura Matthews, his friend,
died today.
----
Rumbaugh Had Fled Home.
PITTSBURG, July 31. - The
suicide of Amos Rumbaugh at Colorado Springs
cleared up the mystery of his disappearance from his
home at Mount Pleasant, near here, two weeks ago.
He was married and was one of the most prominent
citizens of Mount Pleasant.
**************
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 31. - Coroner
Richardson stated today that he believed Miss
Matthews killed herself because of unrequited love
on the part of C. A. Corey, the Chicago
millionaire and that Dr. Rumbaugh committed
suicide because of infatuation for the girl, combined
with recent over-indulgence of liquor.
The coroner's inquest, which adjourned at the news of
the shooting yesterday, reconvened today. Miss
Green, the nurse, was the first witness. She
testified that Corey, the Chicago automobile
dealer, telegraphed her several times since Miss
Mathews killed herself. One message read,
"Will meet you at the train. Forward letters and
keep your own counsel." Miss Green also
testified that Rumbaugh was infatuated with the
girl. That Rumbaugh told her after the girl
had disclosed her relations with Corey, she
attempted to shoot herself and that Rumbaugh
wrestled with her and took the revolver from her.
That Rumbaugh said he and Miss Matthews
intended to be married at once and when he was told of
the girl's suicide, he was very much agitated and
threatened to take revenge on Coey.
Miss Green identified a large bundle of letters to
the girl which, though not made public, are said to be
very affectionate in tone and indicate that Coey
and the girl were very intimate.
The coroner, when asked, said the letters did not
reflct seriously on Coey's character. C.
L. Kingsbury, a bell boy at the Arcadia hotel, to
having overheard a conversation between Miss Mathews
and an unknown man in which the expression, "kill you
from ambush" was used by the man.
-----
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 31 - Amos Rumbaugh,
of Washington, C. C., a close friend fo Miss Laura
Matthews, the young actress who committed suicide
Sunday night, added horror and mystery to the gruesome
case by shooting himself through the head yesterday
afternoon in the same manner adopted by Miss Matthews.
Rumbaugh committed the act in his room at the
Alta Vista hotel. The hour when the fatal shot was
fired is not known as it was not heard by anyone in the
hotel adn teh deed was discovered only when officers
went to his room to ascertain why he had not responded
in the subpoena to attend the coroner's inquest over
Miss Matthews' body yesterday.
When the officers appeared at the hotel the bellboy was
sent to Rumbaugh's room to see what was the
matter. The boy found the door locked and could
get no response. The officers asked that the door
be opened, but the key was on the inside and another
could not be inserted in the lock. An officer was
boosted up to the transom and looked in and the
spectacle he saw was horrifying. Rumbaugh
was reclining on the edge of the bed and his brains had
oozed out on the floor. He was naked. A
hasty examination showed that the man was still alive
and he was taken to a hospital but all efforts to save
him were fruitless.
Was to Tell of Girl's Death.
That the act of Rumbaugh was the direct
result of the death of Miss Matthews is not
doubted. He was to have apeared yesterday
afternoon as a witness at the coroner's inquest to tell
what he knew of his friend's tragic ending.
Rumbaugh claimed to be but a chance acquaintance of
the girl but it develops that he knew he in Chicago and
also knew C. A. Coey, the wealthy Chicago man,
and Dr. H. A. Thomas of the "101" ranch. He
was frequently a member of parties at which Miss
Matthews and the other men referred to were members.
Rumbaugh was the one who accompanied Miss
Green, the nurse, to the livery stable about 5
o'clock Monday morning to see if the actress' horse had
returned. It was he who sent the telegram to
Coey demanding that he "do the right thing by the
girl," and it was with him that Miss Matthews
left the letter in which was enclosed another letter to
Coey. The officers have not yet had time to
examine Rumbaugh's papers and effects the coroner
has had his room locked up. If Rumbaugh did
not destroy the letter left him by Miss Matthews,
together with the letter to Coey, it is believed
they will show startling facts that may entangle many
people of prominence.
Held Coey Responsible
The telegram sent ot Rumbaugh to Coey
Monday morning, taken in the light of his suicide, has
more meaning than before. It was as follows:
"Laura committed suicide on account of you.
Letters left behind. Send $__ at once for
expenses."
The police officers say that the latter shows that
Rumbaugh knew Coey well enough to spea to him
of "Laura," and threaten him. Rumbaugh
was about 28 years old and the son of a wealthy
Washington, D. C. family. A service medal of honor
shows that he served with distinction in the Tenth
Pennsylvania infantry in the Philippines. He is at
the hospital and is still living but cannot recover.
Miss Green, the nurse who has been Miss
Matthews' companion while in Colorado Springs, was
the principal witness at the inquest yesterday.
She admitted having written several letters to friends
of Miss Matthews in Chicago and elsewhere stating
that Laura had taken her life after making "a
hard battle." It developed that these letters were
written before she had been informed of the finding of
Miss Matthews' body. She explained this by
saying she had anticipated such an event.
Selected Her Own Casket.
Miss Green also testified that several days ago she
and Miss Matthews visited a local mortuary and
Miss Matthews selected a casket and remarked, "This
is the kind of casket I wish to be buried in."
Miss Green swore that D. H. E. Thomas,
whose name has not been mentioned in the case, was only
a friend of Miss Matthews, and was not involved
in the matter in any way. She declared that
Miss Matthews was not in a delicate condition.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE: There were lots of typos in
this article. |
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Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
(Philadelphia, PA) Vol. 157 Issue: 82 Page: 2, 1
Dated: Thursday, Aug. 1, 1907
MYSTERY DEEPENS IN DUAL SUICIDE TRAGEDY
Coroner's Jury Finds Miss Matthews Killed Herself -
Rumbaugh Also Dead.
Millionaire Coey's Love Letters to the Dead
Girl Show Very Great Affection
COLORADO SPRINGS, Col., July 31 - The coroner's jury
this afternoon found a verdict to the effect that
Miss Laura Matthews, whose body was found lying in
a lane near Broadmoor on Monday morning with a bullet
hole in her head, committed suicide.
Amos R. Rumbaugh who shot himself late yesterday
rather than testify at the inquest over the body of his
friend, Miss Matthews, died early this morning at
St. Francis' Hospital.
The Mystery Deepens
Neither the verdict of the
jury nor the death of Rumbaugh in any way clears
up the mystery of this most remarkable case. The
puzzle is deepened by an interview with C. A. Coey,
the wealthy Chicago automobile manufacturer, which was
published here today. In it he says positively
that he does not believe Miss Matthews killed
herself.
Miss Tillie Green, the nurse who was in
attendance on Miss Matthews, also adds to the
mystery. She admits that she was in frequent
correspondence with Coey and received money from
him. She further more declares that Coey
and Rumbaugh were unacquainted with each other,
but that Rumbaugh, who was infatuated with
Miss Matthews, was convinced that her suicide was
due to the neglect of the Chicago man, and he swore he,
would kill Coey.
Two brief notes are all that explain the young
man's act. One note is addressed "To Whom It May
Concern," which reads as follows: "Ship my body to
Mrs. J. H. Rumbaugh, Mount Pleasant, Pa.,
Westmoreland county. Notify the Traveler's
Insurance Company, of Hartford Conn., and the Fraternal
Order of Eagles of Scottdale, Pa. Amos R.
Rumbaugh."
To His Mother.
The second note was addressed to his mother,
Mrs. J. H. Rumbaugh at the above address.
Rumbaugh wrote:
"Dear Mother - There is nothing for me to say why I did
this awful deed, so lay my body away to rest. I
have about $350 on my person; you and Charlie
settle things up. Your Son, "Richard R.
Rumbaugh.
The coroner's inquest on the body of Miss
Matthews was resumed this morning. Miss
Tillie Green, the nurse, the first witness called to
the stand today, testified that C. A. Coey, the
wealthy Chicago automobile dealer, had sent her several
telegrams since the tragedy, one of which reads as
follow:
"Will meet you at train. Forward letters.
Keep your own counsel."
The witness admitted receiving $345 from Coey
yesterday.
Took Pistol From Her
Miss Green testified that Rumbaugh on Monday
told her that he and Laura and been driving in a
closed carriage on Friday and that after Laura
had disclosed to him her relation with Coey, she
suddenly drew a revolver and attempted to shoot herself.
Rumbaugh wrested the pistol from her.
Rumbaugh also told Miss Green he and Miss
Matthews had determined to get married and go
abroad. Rumbaugh had engaged a section in a
sleeping car for himself and Miss Matthews and
they were to leave for New York on Monday.
The nurse said Rumbaugh was very much agitated
when told of Miss Matthews death and talked
excitedly about going East and taking revenge on Coey.
Miss Green said she had no desire to withhold any
information from the jury. After identifying a
large bundle of letters written by Coey to
Miss Matthews witness was excused. These
letters have not been made public but are said to be
moderate in tone and simply indicate that Coey
and Miss Matthews were close friends. They
were addressed "Dear Girl," "Dear Little Laura"
and "My Dear Laura." Several telegrams also were
offered in evidence.
Sent Her Money
One letter begins "Find
enclosed fifty dollars" another "your loving letter
received."
The Coroner when asked was to the nature of the letters
said they were of character which does not reflect
seriously upon Mr. Coey.
C. L. Kingsbury, a bell boy at the Acacia Hotel,
testified that on Sunday afternoon he overheard a
telephone conversation between a man and Miss
Matthews. He cut in on the wire just as the
conversation ended but overheard the man say "kill you
from ambush."
Miss Matthews said "what?" and the man repeated
what he had said.
At the opening of the afternoon session letters written
by Coey to Miss Matthews were read to the
jury.
The letters indicate that Coey was deeply in
love with Miss Matthews. They abound in
protestations of love. Such phrases as "I cannot
get along without you." "I will live for you, if
you live for me" and "Life is short, so why not be with
one we love the most" are some of the phrases
used.
In nearly ever letter Coey encouraged Miss
Matthews to be a "good little girl" and to come back
to him with her health restored. Numerous
clippings from Chicago papers about races in which
Coey had participated, a yacht he had purchased and
other news items were inclosed in the letters. |
Source: Morning Olympian
(Olympia, WA) Vol: 17 Issue: 108 Page:
Two
Dated: Thursday, Aug. 1, 1907
DEATH CLEARS UP MYSTERY
Suicide of Rumbaugh Discloses Why He Had Left His Home.
COLORADO SPRINGS, July 31 - Amos R. Rumbaugh,
who shot himself rather than testify at the inquest over
the death of Miss Laura Matthews, his friend,
died today.
Rambaugh Had Fled Home.
PITTSBURG, July 31. - The suicide of Amos
Rumbaugh at Colorado Springs cleared up the mystery
of his disappearance from his home at Mount Pleasant,
near here, two weeks ago. He was married and was
one of the most prominent citizens of Mount Pleasant.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 31 - Coroner
Richardson stated today that he believed Miss
Matthews killed herself because of unrequited love
on the part of C. A. Corey, the Chicago
millionaire and that Dr. Rumbaugh committed
suicide because of infatuation for the girl, combined
with recent over-indulgence of liquor.
The coroner's inquest, which adjourned at the news of
the shooting yesterday, reconvened today. Miss
Green, the nurse, was the first witness. She
testified that Corey, the Chicago automobile
dealer, telegraphed her several times since Miss
Mathews killed herself. One message read,
"Will meet you at the train. Forward letters and
keep your own counsel." Miss Green also
testified that Rumbaugh was infatuated with the
girl. That Rumbaugh told her after the girl
had disclosed her relations with Corey, she
attempted to shoot herself and that Rumbaugh
wrestled with her and took the revolver fro her.
That Rumbaugh said he and Miss Mathews
intended to be married at once and when he was told of
the girl's suicide, he was very much agitated and
threatened to take revenge on Coey.
Miss Green identified a large bundle of letters to
the girl which, though not made public, are said to be
very affectionate in tone and indicate that Coey
and the girl were very intimate.
The coroner, when asked, said the letters did not reflict
sriously on Coey's character.
C. L. Kingsbury, a bell boy at the Arcadia hotel,
to having overheard a conversation between Miss
Mathews and an unknown man in which the expression,
"kill you from ambush" was used by the man.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 31. - Amos Rumbaugh,
of Washington, D. C., a close friend of Miss Laura
Matthews, the young actress who committed suicide
Sudnay night, added horror and mystery to the gruesome
case by shooting himself through the head yesterday
afternoon in the same manner adopted by Miss
Matthews. Rumbaugh committed the act in his
room at the Alta Vista hotel. The hour when the
fatal shot was fired is not known as it was not heard by
anyone in the hotel and the deed was discovered only
when officers went to his room to ascertain why he had
not responded to the subpoena to attend the coroner's
inquest over Miss Matthew's body yesterday.
When the officers appeared at the hotel a bellboy was
sent to Rumbaugh's room to see what was the
matter. The boy found the door locked and could
get no response. The officers asked that the door
be opened, but the key was on the inside and another
could not be inserted in the lock. An officer was
boosted up to the transom and looked in and the
spectacle he saw was horrifying. Rumbaugh
was reclining on the edge of the bed and his brains had
oozed out on the floor He was naked. A hasty
examination showed that the man was still alive and he
was taken to a hospital but all efforts to save him were
fruitless.
Was to Tell of Girl's Death.
That the act of Rumbaugh was the direct
result of the death of Miss Matthews is not
doubted. He was to have apeared yesterday
afternoon as a witness at the coroner's inquest to tell
what he knew of his friend's tragic ending.
Rumbaugh claimed to be but a chance acquaintance of
the girl but it develops that he knew her in Chicago and
also knew C. A. Coey, the wealthy Chicago man,
and Dr. H. A. Thomas of the "101" ranch. He
was frequently a member of parties at which Miss
Matthews and the other men referred to were members.
Rumbaugh was the one who accompanied Miss
Green, the nurse, to the livery stable about 5
o'clock Monday morning to see if the actress' horse had
returned. It was he who sent the telegram to
Coey demanding that he "do the right thing by the
girl," and it was with him that Miss Matthews
left the letter n which was enclosed another
letter to Coey. The officers have not yet
had time to examine Rumbaugh's papers and effects
and Rumbaugh's papers and effects and the coroner
has had his room locked up. If Rumbaugh
did not destroy the letter left him by Miss
Matthews, together with the letter to Coey,
it is believed they will show startling facts that may
entangle many people of prominence.
Held Coey Responsible
The telegram sent to Rumbaugh to Coey
Monday morning, taken in the light of his sucide,
has more meaning than before. It was as follows:
"Laura comimtted suicide on account of
you. Letters left behind. Sent $_00 at once
for expenses."
The police officers say that the latter shows that
Rumbaugh knew Coey well enough to speak to
him of "Laura," and threaten him.
Rumbaugh was about 28 years old and the son of a
wealthy Washington, D. C., family. A service medal
of honor shows that he served with distinction in the
Tenth Pennsylvania infantry in the Philippines. He
is at the hospital and is still living but cannot
recover.
Miss Green, the nurse who has been Miss
Matthews' companion while in Colorado Springs, was
the principal witness at the inquest yesterday.
She admitted having written several letters to friends
of Miss Matthews in Chicago and elsewhere stating
that Laura had taken her life after making "a
hard battle." It developed that these letters were
written before she had been informed of the finding of
Miss Matthews' body. She explained this by
saying she had anticipated such an event.
Selected Her Own Casket.
Miss Green also testified that several days ago she
and Miss Matthews visited a local mortuary and
Miss Matthews selected a casket and remarked, "This
is the kind of casket I wish to be buried in."
Miss Green swore that D. H. E. Thomas,
whose name has been mentioned in the case, was only a
friend of Miss Matthews, and was not involved in
the matter in any way. She declared that Miss
Matthews was not in a delicate condition.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE: There were lots of typos in
this article. |
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
(Philadelphia, PA) Vol.: 157 Issue: 83 Page 1
Dated: Thursday, Aug. 2, 1907
SAYS RUMBAUGH AGREED TO DIE
Friend of Dead Man Declares That Suicide Pact Had
Existed Since Christmas Between Meat Dealer and Laura
Matthews.
From the Inquirer Bureau.
MT. PLEASANT, PA., Aug. 1 - The startling announcement
is made here this afternoon that Amos R. Rumbaugh,
who killed himself in Colorado two days ago, a short
time after Laura Matthews, of Chicago, had shot
herself to death, had entered into an agreement with the
Matthews woman in Chicago last Christmass
to kill himself when she committed suicide. That
the double tragedy of Colorado was premeditated is
vouched for by Emmett Boyd, a young business man
of Mt. Pleasant, and for years a close friend of
Rumbaugh.
At last Christmas season Boyd accompanied
Rumbaugh to Chicago when he called on Miss
Matthews, who was then living with her mother in
Ingleside, a suburb. It was here that Miss
Matthews, according to Boyd, told Rumbaugh
that she could not give him up to his family and live;
that she would take her own life, and Rumbaugh is
alleged to have promised that he, too, would kill
himself if she did. Mr. Boyd said this
evening:
"The Matthews woman was dead in love with
Rumbaugh, and I have seen her cling to him and cry
that she could not and would not live without him.
On one occasion in her home she had her arms around his
neck while I was in the room, and she said: 'I just
can't live without you and if I can't have you I'll kill
myself.'
"This was after Rumbaugh had told her that he
could not be with her always, that he had a wife at Mt.
Pleasant, but when he heard her make this remark he
looked solemn and said: 'All right, little one. If
you kill yourself I will too.'
That Miss Matthews by letter recently recalled
to Rumbaugh the suicide compact and that he went
to her in Chicago, and together they went to Colorado to
kill themselves, is believed by Boyd and his
friends here. Boyd was the last man having
business dealings with Rumbaugh. The meat
dealer set his tottering business in order, armed
himself, and after collecting all the money he could
left for the West to meet Laura Matthews and,
with her, commit suicide, according to his friends.
Boyd said this evening:
"I had a long talk with Rumbaugh then night
before he went away. He acted strange, and said to
me: 'Boyd, you are the best friend I ever had,
and I'm going to tell you something. Next week I'm
going to hand you a big surprise, so be on the lookout
for it.'"
Wife True
The one person in Mt.
Pleasant who will not believe Rumbaugh was untrue
is the wife of the suicide, who is prostrated.
Today she said:
"I never heard of the Matthews woman, nor do I believe
my husband knew her until he met her in the hotel in
Colorado. I knew he was in Colorado Springs, as he
wrote me. I think he must have met the woman
there, and was kind to her because she was in trouble.
My husband was a man of big heart, and I don't think the
suicide of Miss Matthews and my husband had any
connection. My husband killed himself, I believe,
because of his financial troubles."
SHARON WICK'S NOTE: There were lots of typos in
this article. |
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