The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-04-21
BETROTHED PASTOR SUICIDE
The Rev. G. w. TOmson Shoots
Himself at Woodbury., NJ.
His Engagement to Widow Was An
nonnced Few Days Before-An-
other Woman Denounced Him.

Woodbury., N. 1.-The Rev. George
W. Tomson. pastor of the First Pres
hyterian Church, of this place, was
found dead on the floor of his room
In the Newton Hotel with bullet
wound in his temple.
There are many elements of mys-
terry in the death OF the prominent
clergyman, who numbered among his
congregation a number OF wealthy
PhiIadelphians who have their homes
in this fashionable suburb. The ver-
diet of the Coroner's Jury indicates
suicide, but the theory that the min
lister took his life is supported only
by the fact that ne was in trouble
with some women of his congrega-
ton.
Nothing indicates a premeditated
plan to kill himself The door of his
room was unlocked. His body was
found practically hidden behind a
bed, and the revolver was some dis
lance from the body On a table in
the room was the manuscript of an
Easter sermon prepared by DIR. Tom
son on the text, II am the Resurrec-
ton and the Life.
The absence of any evidence of pre-
meditation and the fact that the trou-
bles of the preacher might incite in
others desire for revenge as we'll as
TO lead him to suicide. makes the
killing of DR.. Tomson tangled mys-
terry, and the authorities here have
determined upon thorough investi-
cation.
Only few days ago report was
LIT ~ -,
gregation that brother of wealthy
widow, who had been the object OF
attentions since the death of his first
wife, had demanded that DR.. Tom
SON at once publicly announce his
engagement to this woman. Other
women, in turn, including another
widow, claimed that Dr. Tomson had
tri1ed with their affections, and the
preacher was beset on all sides and
grew respondent.
About week ago an announce
ment appeared in the local paper that
DR. Tomson was engaged to be mar
ried to Mrs. Fannie Kenworthy, a
wealthy widow. living in magnifi-
cent home, and the mother of an
eighteen-year-old daughter.
The day following this announce
ment there was congregational
meeting at the church and a sensa-
tional scene was enacted. Miss Helen
Moore, handsome woman of thirty
FIVE and teacher of the Sunday
school of the place, rose and faced
the preacher. He turned his head
away.
: wish to tender my resignation as
a member of this church, said Miss
Moore. "Tne pastor has broken his
promise to marry me, but he will
never marry Mrs. Kenworthy. He is
"A hypocrite.
He owes me all the love and duty
belonging to wife, and l shall not
permit him to desert me now"
The words of Miss Moore threw
the meeting into confusion and she
was Immediately surrounded by the
women members of the congregation,
who appeared to sympathize with DR..
TOmson. These women made for
NAL demand upon ner to leave Wood
bury at once.
Miss Moore broke down and weep
ingly declared that she had spoken
only the truth and should have the
sympathy of the women members of
the church. None was extended to
her and she was finally forced to
agree to leave the city.
Or. Tomson left the meeting. He
WAS staggering and when he reached
the top of the stone stairs leading
from the church pitched headlong to
the sidewalk One of his friends
rushed to his aid and asked him If he
was badly hurt.
Unfortunately not" was the short
reply of the preacher, and he asked
to he allowed to go to his hotel alone.
Since the departure of her family
to the Pacific Coast some time ago,
Miss Moore has been living at the
Newton Hotel, and is reported to have
nursed DR.. Tomson during an illness.
Until her dramatic denunciation of
the preacher in the church, however,
mo- one suspected that there was any
thing between DR.. Tomson and Miss
Moore except the friendly relations
nj pastor to one of the teachers in
his Sunday-school.