Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-01
SAY ACTRESS
KILLED SELF
CoRoNER's JURY SOLVES COLO
RADIO MURDER MYSTERY
FRIENDS OF DEAD GIRL THINK
RUMBAUeH KILLED HER
Chicago Millionaire Who Had Been
Sending Money to Miss Laura
Matthews Rejects The-
ory of Suicide
IA Associated Presa.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo, July 3D.
All suspicion against Amos Rumbaugh
as the slayer of Miss Laura Matthews
was removed through the verdict of the
coroner's jury this afternoon. The verdict
read as follows:
"We the jury impaneled to inquire
into the cause of death of Laura
Matthews, find that she came to her
death from gunshot wounds inflicted with
suicidal intent"
The verdict was rendered this afternoon
at 2:45 o'clock after the jury had been
out exactly thirty minutes.
An inquest was later held over the
remains of Amos r. Rumbaugh, who
shot himself through the head yesterday
afternoon. The verdict was that he came
to his death by his own Lands Suspicion
for a time pointed to Rumbaugh as
having caused the death Of Miss
Matthews, because of his apparent in
fatua ton for the young woman and his
failure to appear at the inquest as a
witness.
Miss Tillie Green of Scottville, Mich,
who was Miss Matthews nurse and
whose effects had been held by the
authorities pending developments, is de-
clared in no way to blame for the young
womans death.
Miss Green was the first witness called
to the stand mis- morning.
Miss Green testified that c. A. Coey,
the wealthy Chicago automobile dealer,
had sent her several kilograms since the
tragedy one of which reads as follows;
"Will meet you at train. Forward
letters. Keep your own counsel.
Got $245 from coey
The witness admitted receiving $245
from Coey yesterday.
Miss Green testified that Rumbaugh on
Monday told her that he and Laura had
been driving in closed carriage on Fri
day and that after Laura had disclosed
to him her relations with Coey she drew
a revolver and attempted to shoot her
self. Rumbaugh wrested the pistol from
her. Rumbaugh also told Miss Green
that he and Miss Matthews had deter
mined to marry and go abroad. Rum
| baugh had engaged a section in Pull
man for himself and Miss Matthews and
were to leave for New York on Monday.
| The nurse said Rumbaugh was very
| much agtated when told of Miss
| Matthews death and talked excitedly
| about going east and taking revenge Of
/ Coey
/ Miss Green said she had no desire to
| withhold any informa ton from the jury
| After identifying a large bundle of
| letters written by Coey to Miss Matthews
she was excused. These letters have not
| been made public, but are said to be
| moderate in tone and indicate that Coey
and Miss Matthews were very intimate.
They were addressed Dear Girl dear
little Laura and MY Dear Laura"
Several kilograms were also offered in
evidence. One letter begins Find en-
closed fifty dollars" another Your low
ing letter received
The coroner when asked as 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, was the next witness called
He testified that on Sunday afternoon he
overheard a telephone conversation be-
tween a man and Miss Matthews. He
cut in on the wire just as the conversa-
ton ended but heard the man say: xiii
YOU from ambush. Miss Matthews said
''What?" and the man repeated what he
had said.
Coey's Letters Read
At the opening of the afternoon session
of the coroner's inquest the letters written
by Millionaire Coey of Chicago to Miss
Matthews were read to the jury. Tns
letters indicate that Coey was deeply in
love with Miss Matthews at the time of
writing. They abound with protestations
of love and are written in manner cal
culated to carry with them conviction or
the sincerity of the writer
Such phrases as II cannot get along
without you" "I will live for you If you
live for me-" and life is short so why
not be with the ones we love the most
are incorporated in the letters. In nearly
every letter Coey encouraged Miss Mat
thews to be good little girl and come
back to him with health restored.
H..