The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-08-09
SUICIDE MYSTERY.
A Woman Kills Herself and So
Does a Man
Who Knew the Woman We'll ana
Was Summoned as Il Witness mt
the Inquest.

Amos II. Rumbaugh, of Washing
ton, d. c., Il close friend of Mis-.
Laura Matthews, tho young woman
who committed suicide near Broad
moor, Colorado, Sunday night, added
borrow and mystery to the gruesomt
case by shooting himself through
the head Wednesday,. in the same
manner adopted by Miss Matthews.
Rumbaugh committed the act IN
his room at the Alta Vista Hotel
me hour when the fatal shot was
fired is not known as it was not
heard by any II 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 tho coroner's in
quest over Miss Matthew's body on
Thursday morning.
When the officers appeared at the
hotel a bell boy was sent to Rum
baugh'S 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-
Ginning, his brains oozing out onto
the floor. a hasty examination show
ed that the man was still alive. and
he was taken TO a hospital, but at a
late hour the attending physicians
say he cannot cover
That the act OF R|umbaugh was the
direct result Of the death Of Miss
Matthews is not doubted by the Off
Gals. He was to have appeared as
Il witness at the coroncr's inquest to
tell what he knew of his friends
tragic end. Rumbaugh claimed to
he but a chance acquaintance Of the
girl but it developed that he knew
her in Chicago and also knew G.. a.
Cocy, Of Chicago, and Dr.. II. A.
Thomas, of the "101 Ranch" He
was frequently Il member OF the par
ties at which Miss Matthews and the
other men referred to we're members.
companicd Miss Green, the nurse, to
the livery stable about 5 O'Clock
Monday morning to see if Miss Mat
thcwS' horse had returned. 1t was
he who had sent the telegram to
Coey asking that he "do the right
thing by the girl" and it was with
him that Miss Matthews left the let
ter in which was enclosed another
letter to Cocy.
If Rumbaugh did not destroy the
letter left him by Miss Matthews to-
gcthcr with the letter to Coey, it is
believed they will show startling
facts that may entanglc other people.
The telegram sent by Rumbaugh to
,C03y, taken iD.the. light Of his sui
eide, has more meaning than before.
1t was as follows:
Laura committed suicide OF ac-
count Of you. Letters left behind.
Send $500 at nee for expenses"
The officers say that the letter
shows that %Rumbaugh knew Coey
we'll enough to speak to him Of
Laura" and to threaten him. Rum
baugh was about IS years of age. a
service medal Of honor shows that he
served with distinction in the Tenth
Pennsylvania Infantry in the Philip
pines.
Two brief notes l. all that cX-
plains the young mans act. One
notc is addressed "To whom it may
concern" and reads Is follows:
ship my body to Mrs. J. II. Rum
haugh. Mont Pleasant, Pa, West
mOrcland county. Notify the Travel
crS' Insurance company OF Hartford,
Conn, and the Fraternal Order OF
eagles. Of Scot;sdalc, Pa. Amos II.
Rumbaugh.'
The second note was addressed to
his mother, Mrs. j. II. Rumbaugh, al
the above address. Rnmbaugh
wrote:
Dear Mother: There is nothing
for me TO say why | did this awfu'
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. %Rumbaugh,'