New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-31
NEUy FIGURE IN MYSTERY.


Colorado Springs col, July 3o.-Amos r.
Rumbaugh, of Washington, close friend of
Miss Laura Matthews, the young actress who
committed suicide near Broadmore on Sunday
night. added more mystery 10 the case by
shooting himself through the head this after
noon in the same manner adopted by Miss Mat
thews. He is dying in a hospital to which he
taken for treatment.
Rumhaugh committed the act in his room at
the Alta Vista Hotel. The hour when the shot
was fired is not known. It was not heard
by any one in the hotel, and the deed was dis
covered only when officers went to his room to
find why he had not responded to the subpoena
to attend the coroners inquest Miss Mat
thews's body to-day,
The officials here do not doubt that the act
of Rumbaugh was the direct result of the
death OF Miss Matthews. He was to have APP
peared this afternoon witness at the coro-
ners inquest TO tell what he knew of his
friend 5 tragic end Rumbaugh said he was
only chance acquaintance OF the girl, but it
developed that he knew her in Chicago and also
knew {. \. Coey of Chicago. He was fire.
quently member of parties at which Miss
Matthews and other men were members.
Rumbaugh accompanied Miss Green. the
nurse to the livery stable about o'clock Mon
day morning TO see if Miss Matthew's horse
had returned He also sent the telegram to
Coey asking that he do the right thing by the
girl. and it with him that Miss Matthews
left the letter in which was incloscd another
letter to Coey.
The officers have not vet had time to examine
Runbaugh's papers and effects and the coroner
has had his room locked. If Rumbaugh did not
destroy the letter left him BY Miss Matthews.
together with the letter to Coey, it is believed
they will throw much light on the case. The
telegram sent by Rumbaugh to Coey after Miss
MattheWs's death was as follows:
Laura committed suicide on account Of you.
Letters left behind Send $500 for
penses.'
The officers say that the letter shows that
Rumbaugh knew Coey well enough to speak
to him Of Laura and TO threaten him. Rum
baugh was about twcnty-eight years old. a
service medal Of honor shows that he served
with distinction in the 10th Pennsylvania In
fantry in the Philippines.
At the inquest to-day Miss Green, the nurse
who was the dead woman's companion in Col
orado Springs. admitted having written sew
cral letters to friends of Miss Matthews i'm
Chicago and elsewhere, stating that Laura had
taken her life II developed that these letters
were written before she had been informed Of
the finding Of Miss Matthews's body. She ex-
planned this by saying that she had anticipated
the suicide one Of the letters written by Miss
Green was as follows.
Ny Dear Tot: Poor little Laura has ended
her heart troubles; she has tried 10 fight She
shot herself tonight. Home soon and will tell
you all. This has been severe nervous strain.
but must keep up and make arrangements sin
cerely. TITLE"
This letter was not addressed. but is sup
posed to have been intended for some person in
Chicago.
Miss Green also testified that several days ago
she and Miss Matthews had visited a local
mortuary and Miss Matthews had selected
coffin and remarked: This is the kind Of
casket I wish 10 be buried in"
Chicago, July CO A Cooy. the automobile
expert in an interview tonight in his apart