Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-18
MINISTER FOUND DEAD
PROBABLY A SUICIDE, BUT Pos
SIBLY A MURDER.
Love Affairs Much Mixed-His A.
fections Claimed by Several
Women at Once.

WOODBURY.. y. j.. April lS.-The Rev
George w. Tomson. pastor OF the First
Presbyterian Church OF this place Was
found dead yesterday on the floor OF his
room in the Newton Hotel with a bull
let wound in his temple
There are many elements OF mystery in
the death Of the prominent clergyman
who included among his congregation
a number OF wealthy Philadephians who
have their homes in this fashionable SUBJ
urh. The verdict Of the coroner's jury
indicates suicide. but the theory that the
minister took his life is supported only
by the fact that he was in trouble with
some women o. his congregation.
No Premeditated Plan.
Nothing indicates a premeditated plan
to kill himself The door OF his room Was
unlocked. The body was found practically
hidden behind bed. and the revolver was
some distance from the body. On a table
in the room was the manuscript OF an
Easter sermon prepared by DR.. Tomson
on the text Il am the Resurrection and
the Life.
The absence of any evidence Of premed-
itation and the fact that the troubles az
the preacher might ncite in others a de-
sire for revenge AS we'll as 10 lead him to
suicide make the killing OF DR.. Tomson
a tangled mystery. and the authorities
here have determined upon a thorough
investigation.
Only few days ago a report was cir
culated among members of the congrega-
ton that a brother of a wealthy widow,
who had been the object Of attentions
since the death of his first wife. had de-
anded that DR.. Tomson at once publicly
announce his engagement to this woman.
Other women. in turn, including another
widow. claimed that DIR. Tomson had tri-
fed with their affections. and the preacher
was beset on all sides and grew despond
ent.
Engagement Is Announced.
About week ago an announcement ap-
peared in the local paper that DIR. Tom
son was engaged to be married to Mrs.
Fannie kenworthy. a wealthy widow.
living in magnificent home and the
mother of an eighteen-year-old daughter.
The day following this announcement
there was a congregational meeting at
the church and sensational scene was
enacted. Miss Helen Moore. A handsome
woman of thirty-tive and teacher In the
Sunday school of the church. rose and
faced the preacher. He turned his head
away.
II wish to tender my resignation as
member of this church. said Miss Moore.
The 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 be-
longing to a wife. and / shall not permit
him to desert me now.
The words Of Miss Moore threw the
meeting into confusion and she was I'M
mediately surrounded by the woman
members of the congregation. who ap
peared to sympathiZe with DIR. Tomson.
These women made a formal demand
upon her to leave Woodbury. al once
Miss Moore broke down and weepingly
declared that she had spoken only the
truth and should have the sympathy OF
the woman members of the church. None
was extended to her and she finally was
forced to agree to leave the city.
Other Women Mentioned.
been brought to attention by the tragic
death of DR.. Tomson. They, like Miss
Moore. came forward after the announce
ment of his engagement to Mrs. Men
worthy with stories that they had been
led to believe that DR.. Tomson would
make each of them his wife.
On the heels of Miss Moores resigna-
ton came reports of actions for breach
OF promise against the pastor. Then an
other widow to whom he had paid atten-
ton suddenly left the town.
While the suicide theory is the more
generally credited in connection with the
death of DR.. Tomson. enough circum-
stantial evidence has been discovered to
warrant belief in the possibility of muir
der It is conceded that any one ia
clockwork-ike customs Of the employees
and guests could have obtained entrance
to the pastors room and left il without
being noticed.