The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-08-07
SUICIDE MYSTERY.
A Woman Kills Herself and So
Does a Man
Who knew the Woman Well and
Was Summoned as a Witness at
the Inquest.

Amos H. Rumbaugh. of Washin.
ton. D. c., close friend Of Mis-
Laura Matthews, the young woman
who committed suicide near Broad
moor. Colorado. Sunday night addet
borrow and mystery to the grnesom'
case by shooting himself through
the head Wednesday. in the same
manner adopted by Miss Matthews.
Rumbaugh committed the act il
his room at the Alta Vista Hotel
Inc hour when the fatal shot was
fired is not known as it was moi
heard by any one 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 in
quest over Miss Matthew's body on
Thursday morning.
When the officers appeared at the
hotel bell boy was sent to Rum
baugh's room to see what was the
matter. The boy found the door
locked and could get no response.
The officers forced the door open and
there On the bed Rumbaugh was re-
clining. his brains oozing out onto
the floor A hastv examination show
ed that the man was still alive. and
he was taken to hospital. but at a
late hour the attending PHYSICIANS
say he cannot recover.
~ =
direct result Of the death of Miss
Matthews is not doubted by the Off
cials. He was to have appeared as
a witness at the coroner's inquest to
tell what he knew Of his friend s
tragic end. Rumbaugh claimed TO
be but a chance acquaintance Of the
girl but it developed that he knew
her in Chicago and also knew c. A
Coey. Of Chicago. and DR.. H. A.
Thomas. Of the ''101 Ranch. He
was frequently member of the par
ties at which Miss Matthews and the
other men referred to were members.
Rumbaugh was the one who ac-
companied Miss Green, the nurse. 10
the livery stable about O'Clock
Monday. morning to see If Miss Mat
thews' horse had returned. 1t was
ne who had sent the telegram to
Coey asking that he do the right
thing by the girl and 1t was with
him that Miss Matthews left the let
ter in which was enclosed another
letter to Coey.
If Rumbaugh did not destrcE the
letter left him by Miss Matthews to-
gether with the letter to Coey. It is
believed they will show startling
facts that may entangle other people.
The telegram sent by Rumbaush TO
Coey. taken in the light OF his sui
eide, has more meaning than before.
It was as follows:
Laura committed suicide on ac-
count of you. Letters left behind.
Send $500 at once for expenses.
The officers say that the letter
shows that Rumbaugh knew Goey
we'll enough to speak TO him OF
Laura and to threaten him. hum-
baugh was abou, IS years of age. y
service medal of honor shows that ne
served with distinction in the len'h
PENNSYLVANIA InfanIry in the Pnlllp-
pines.
Two brief notes are all that eN-
plains the young mans act. one
note is addressed TO whom 1t may
concern. and reads as follows:
ship my body to Mrs. J: H. Rum
baugh. Mont Pleasant, Pa, west
moreland county. Notify the Travel
ars' Insurance company Of Hartford:
Conn, and the Fraternal Order OF
Eagles. of Scottsdale, Pa Amos II.
The second note was addressed 10
his mother, Mrs. ]. H. Rumbaush' al
the above address Rumbaugn
Dear Mother: There is nothing
for me to say why did TINS a"ln'
deed. so lay my body away TO rest
have about $3.50 on my person.
You and Charlie settle things UP.
Your son
"Richard R. RumhauSh,