Gloucester County Democrat., 1908-04-23
THE SUICIDE OF
REV GEO. ". T0ASON.

Church of this city. He came to this
charge from Clayton. with his wife, and by
reason Of his ability was recognized as the
leader of our city's clergy. After the death
OF his wife, four years ago, he abandoned
the parsonage and took room in Newton
hotel, having his study in the church.
He was man of pleasant address, and
had the respect of the city.
During the first week in this month Mr..
Tomson's engagement was announced to
Mrs. Fannie Kenworthy, most estinable
lady of the city. an active worker in his
church, and an early consummation Of their
troth was looked for.
When, then, the lifeless body of Mr..
Tomson was found beside his bed by the
chamber maid when she went to arrange
his room at o'clock a. m last Friday
morning, the effect on the city can better be
imagined than described.
Every countenance gave indication of
the sincere sorrow Of the heart-the town
was almost paralized.
Coroner James Hunter, of Newbold, was
summoned responded promptly and at once
proceeded with his disagreeable duty by
summoning jury composed of J. Foster
Graham, DR.. T. E. Parker, John S. jessup,
E. S. Kroner, John Boyd Avis aud E P.
Breese After two hours session the jury
rendered verdict in accordance with the
facts, suicide from temporary alteration
of the mind. -
Mr.. Toms0n's room was on the third
floor, southeast corner, fronting Broad
street. Besides the bed, washstand and bu-
rean, the room contained writing desk,
which stood againstthe wall, near the head
Of the bed, and en- the side toward the
street. The bali entered the head just
above she right ear, and It's course was up
ward The position in which the body was
found, face on the floor, and ia a cramped
position, convinced the jury that when he
fired the fatal shot he was seated at his desk
and fell over against the bed and to che floor.
There was no in iielsi91 Of struggle
and every reason TO believe that the pastor
had take his own life.
Near his feet, was found the revolver,
an old pistol that has been identified as
his, but fully loaded with new cartridges,
only one of which had been exploded.
1t was the opinion Of physicians who ex
amined the body that he had been dead
about fifteen hours which would make the
hour when the shot was fired about six
o'clock on Thursday evening.
For two days previous the Woman's
Home Missionary Society Of the Presbytery
OF West Jersey had bean in session in his
church, and Mr.. Tomson had attended the
various sessions. On Thursday he took
dinner in the church and seemed bright
and happy, though for several weeks he
had been unwell, aud members of his con-
gregation aud friends outside had noted his
extreme nervous condition.
The society adjourned soon after noon
People OF the town saw Mr.. I. on the street
about 4 80, (mail time) but after that hour
his whereabouts are not known. When
found he was in his shirt sleeves, his coat
hanging nearby. The condition OF the room
indicated that be had entered it, taken of
his coat and seated himself at his desk and
did some work on his Easter sermons. A
few letters, evidently just received. lay on
the desk, among them a receipt for life
insurance premium. His razor and shaving
tools lay on the bureau. as be had left them
in the morning-the entire surroundings
indicating busy man, engaged in his regu-
lar work.
Ia the pockets Of his coat we're found three
railroad and Pullman tickets from Philadel-
phia to Boston, stamped for use on the 2lst,
the date fixed for the wedding, and for the
use OF himself, wife and his wife's daughter
who was TO accompany them on the we'd
ding tour.
It is the theory of the Coroner, the jury
and his friends that Mr.. Toms0n was pro-
ceeding in methodical way with bis work
and preparations for his approaching mar
riage, that while seated at his desk prepar-
ing for his duties Of the approaching Easter
services he was suddenly became deranged
and reaching for the pistol IN his desk,
placed it to his head and pulled the trigger.
Those OF our readers who have followed
- e.