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 Well ana
Was Summoned as Il Witness at
the Inquest.

the Inquest.
Amos II. Rumbaugh, of Washing
ton, ID. G., close friend of Miss
Laura Matthews, the young woman
who committed suicide near Broad
moor Colorado, Sunday night, added
borrow and mystery to the gruesomc
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
ne hour when the fatal shot was
fired is not known as it was not
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 Il 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
clining, his brains oozing out onto
the floor. A hasty 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
That the act of Rumbaugh was the
direct result Of the death Of Miss
Matthews is not doubted by the oni-
cials. lie was to have appeared as
a witness at the coroncr's inquest to
tell what he knew OF his friend S
tragic end. Rumbaugh claimed TO
he but Il chance acquaintance Of the
girl but it developed that he knew
her in Chicago and also knew G.. 4.
Cocy, of Chicago, and Dr.. II. a.
Thomas, OF the "101 Ranch" He
was frequently member OF the par
ties at which Miss Matthews and the
othcr men referred to were members.
Rumbaugh was the one who ac-
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
Cocy asking that he edo the right
thing by tho girl and ii was with
ter i'm 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, il is
believed they will show startling
facts that may entangle other people.
The telegram sent by Rumbaugh to
.Gooy, taken in the light Of his sui
eide, has more meaning than before.
1t 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 Coey
we'll enough to speak to him Of
Laura" and to threaten him. Rum
baugh was about 2S years Of age
service medal OF honor shows that he
served with distinction in the Tenth
Pennsylvania Infantry in the Philip
pines.
Two brief notes arc all that eX-
plains the young mans act. one
note is addressed "ro whom it may
concern" and reads as follows
"Ship my body to Mrs. j, II. Rum
baugh, Mont Pleasant, Pa, West
morcland county. Notify the travel
crs' Insurance company of Hartford,
eagles, Of Scottsdalc, Pa. Amos Il.
Rumbaugh."
The second note was addressed to
his mother, Mrs. }. H. Rumhangh, at
the above address. Rumbaugh
wrote:
Dear Mother There is nothing
for me to say why I 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
,Rirhnrl r. Rum hnnEh. y.