Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-18
CITYSHOCKED BY
PASTORS SUICIDE
THREE WOMEN FIGURE IN
THE CASE
MINISTER ENDS LIFE WITH A
BULLET
Announcement of Engagement Made
Mysterious Woman Threatens
Hlm-WdoW Leaves
Town
BY Associated Press

By Associated Press
WOODBURY., N. j., April 17.-This
quiet little town was greatly shocked
today over the sensational suicide OF
the Rev. George w. Thomson, pastor
of the woodbury. Presbyterian church
and the subsequent developments which
involved the names of at least three
women of this place. Mr.. Thomson
was found dead in the Newton hotel
today with a bullet in his brain.
At first those who knew him would
not believe he had committed suicide,
but evidence was so strong that they
had to admit it. But the sensation
caused by his suicide was as nothing
compared with the conditions that were
developed when the c1ergyman's friends
searched for motive for his act.
MIR. Thomson came to Woodbury.
from Clayton, N. J., about ten years
ago. He built up the congregation or
the church until 1t became one of the
largest and most prosperous in South
ern New Jersey. He was married a
number Of years ago. His wife died
about a year and half ago, since
which time he has been living at no.
tel here.
Mrs. Fannie Kenworthy whose en-
gagement to the minister had been an
nounced, was at her home when the
news of Thomson's death was received
by her.
An effort was made to learn from her
when she had last seen Mr.. Thomson.
but she was too much overcome by the
tragedy to be seen. Through fiend.
however. 1t was learned that there had
been no estrangement of any kind.
When Mr.. Thomson's engagement be-
came known woman who lived at the
same hotel where Mr.. Thomson resided
began to circulate reports involving
Mr.. Thomson.
Woman Members Interfere
This so aroused the women members
of the church that on Monday last a
delegation Of the women of the congre-'
cation called at the hotel. There was
q stormy scene, 1t is said. and as a re-
suit the woman left Woodbury. that
evening.
1t is believed Mr.. Thomson shot HIM
self between and o'clock last even
ing. He attended a convention of
missionary society in the afternoon and
delivered an address. He had an en-
gagement to call on Mrs. Kenworthy
last evening, and when he dld not ap-
pear she telephoned to prominent
member of the church. A searching
party was organized and efforts to To-
cate him were made. At 1890 o'clock
last night his room at the hotel was
looked into. The bed was untouched,
and the searchers went away
1t is thought Mr.. Thomson was ly-
ing dead on the floor on the opposite
side of the bed at the time. 1t was
here that the body was found today
1t is said by guests of the hotel that
at the time of the announcement of Mr..
Thomson's engagement to Mrs. Ken
worthy, the clergyman and the woman
in the case had a violent scene. She is
alleged to have said that she would not
permit any other woman to come be-
tween them.
He owes me-" she is alleged to have
said, "all the love and duty belonging
to a wife, and I shall not permit him to
desert me. 1t is also reported at a
meeting of the Sunday school teachers
held last Thursday night that the wom-
an, who was a member of Mr.. Thorn
sons church, denounced Mr. Thomson,
calling him, among other things,
"hypocrite"