Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-07-31
THE INCREASING MYSTERY
OF A COLORADO TRAGEDY
The Suicide of a Young Actress Followed
By That of a Friend
The Unfolding Of Plot Which 1t Is Thought
MAY Finally Disclose Several Persons OF PrOmi-


companion while in Colorado Springs.
was the principal witness. She ad-
mitted having written several letters
to friends of Miss Matthews in Chi
cago and elsewhere. stating that Laura
had taken her life after making q
hard battle" 1t developed that these
letters were written before she had
been informed of the finding of the
body She explained this by saying
| that she had anticipated such an event.
| one of the letters written by Miss
| Green is as follows:
MY Dear Tot: Poor little Laura has
| ended the hard battle she has tried to
/ fight. She shot herself tonight. | will
I b,. home soon. and tell you all. This
has been a severe nervous Strain. but
| | must keep up to make arrangements.
sincerely TILLY"
This letter was not addressed, but is
supposed to have been intended for
some person in Chicago.
Miss Green also testified that sever
al days ago she and Miss Matthews
! visited a local undertaking establish
ment and Miss Matthews selected a
scasket. and remarked This is the kind
fof a casketI wish to be buried in
Miss Green swOre that or. Fl. F..
| Thomas whose name has been men
toned in the case, was merely good
/ friend of Miss Matthews and was not
involved in the case in any way. She
I declared that Miss Matthews was not
in a delicate condition.
Rumbaugh's death is expected hour
ly. Two brief notes are all that explain
the young mans rash act one note is
addressed ITO Whom II May Concern
and reads:
I Ship my body to Mrs. j. ii. Rum
baugh. Mount Pleasant. Penna. and
notify the Travellers. Insurance Co.
and the Fraternal order of Eagles oi
Scottdale. Penna.
AMOS RICHARD RUMBAUGH.
The second note addressed to hi,
mother says:
Dear Mother: There is nothing fol
me Ia say why l did this awful deed
50 lay my body away to rest l hav,
about $3.50 on my person. You anC
Charlie settle things up"
Your son,
RICHARD RUMBAUGH.
Late tonight it was learned through
guest Of the hotel where Miss Mat
thews registered, that she feared Rum
baugh. who was infatuated with her
She il said TO have told an acquaint
ance that she was afraid To go bacl
late at night to the hotel for fear he
admirer would blow her brain out a.
, she passed North Park.
Miss Green is under police surveil
lance. pending the findings OF the in
quest She declares that she know
nothing of Coey's relations with Mis-
Matthews. With regard to Rum
baugh'S attempted suicide this after
noon. Miss Green had the following I,
say: "RumbauKh was desperately II
love with Laura. He had previousl
told me that he was engaged to MARI,
her and that they would go east on :
honeymoon. He did not know Coey bu
seemed to take n boyish delight in-de
scribing how he would go to Chicag,
and parade his bride in front OF tn
Illinois manufacturer When / toll
Rumbaugh that Laura had committe,
suicide. he seemed like one possessed
He swore that he would go to Chicae
and Kill Coey. and his entire motfv
: from that until bis suicide. seemed L
be that Of revenge on -oey. He kille,
/ himself througfplove of the girl"