Misplaced Pages

Kate Morgan: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 06:41, 14 December 2008 edit24.27.72.98 (talk) →Background← Previous edit Latest revision as of 23:17, 9 December 2024 edit undoIssac I Navarro (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users995 edits Add, a comma, 
(331 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American housemaid (c. 1864 – 1892)}}
]
{{for multi|the Welsh beauty queen, model and actress|Kate Alicia Morgan|the ''24'' character|Kate Morgan (24 character)|the American pornographic actress|Katie Morgan}}
⚫ '''Kate Morgan''' (1865-1892) is an ]n who died under mysterious circumstances, and is thought by some to be a ] at the ] in ]. She was buried at nearby ] in Division 5 Section 1.
{{Infobox person
| image = Kate Morgan sepia.jpg
| alt = Kate Morgan in circa 1886.
| caption = Kate Morgan in circa 1886
| birth_name = Kate Farmer
| birth_date = {{circa|1864}}
| birth_place = ]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1892|11|28 |1864}}
| death_place = ]
| nationality = ]
| other_names = Lottie A. Bernard
| known_for = Ghost of ]
| occupation =
}}
⚫ '''Kate Morgan''' ({{circa|1864}} – November 28, 1892) was an American woman who died under mysterious circumstances, and is thought by locals to now haunt ] in ]. She was buried at nearby ] in Division 5, Section 1.


==Background== ==Background==
Kate Farmer was born in ], around the year of 1864. Her mother died on September 23, 1865,<ref name=gravestone>Gravestone, Mt. Olive Cemetery, Hamburg, Iowa.</ref> and at the age of two, young Kate was sent to live with her maternal grandfather, Joe Chandler.<ref name=official>Affidavit of Joseph Chandler, August 12, 1879, in the matter of the Estate of George W. Farmer.</ref>
Morgan (nee Farmer) was born in ] in 1865. At the age of 20, she married Tom Morgan, alleged to have been a ] who worked on ]s. According to the Hotel del Coronado's official book (see below) it is not clear whether this was true, or urban lore. The spectacular case of the 'Beautiful Stranger,' which became a national sensation in the ] of 1892, is filled with tantalizing clues, baffling dead ends, and mysterious interweaving threads.
- - -
In the matter of the estate of G. W. Farmer (11 Aug 1879)
Kate K. Farmer, minor heir of G. W. Farmer
In the Circuit Court of said county in Iowa August 12, 1879


On November 9, 1870, Kate's father, George Washington Farmer, was appointed to be the Postmaster of ].<ref name=postmaster>National Archives, Old Military and Civil Records.</ref> He remarried in 1871, fathered two more daughters, and then moved to ],<ref =eubank>Biography of Henry Eubank, "Wheatheart of the Plains - An Early History of Ochiltree County, 1969.</ref> where he died in 1876.<ref name=daughters>Affidavit of B. M. Burke, County Clerk, McCullouch County, Texas, July 7, 1880, in the matter of the Estate of George W. Farmer.</ref>
Your petitioner respectfully represents to this court that Kate K. Farmer, aged thirteen years is the orphan child of George W. Farmer who deceased some two years since in the State of Texas and of Elizabeth Farmer who has been dead eleven years, that said minor is heir through her father of a part of the estate of Mary J. Farmer, deceased, as your petitioner is informed and believes the said amount is to the petitioner unknown but in no event will it exceed one hundred dollars, that said Kate K. Farmer has lived and resided with your petitioner since she was two years of age; your petitioner therefore asks that he be appointed Guardian of this person and property and estate of the said Kate K. Farmer, minor heir and orphan of G. W. and Elizabeth Farmer, deceased, and that no inventory of her said estate be required as there is no property in hand and will not for some time to come. (Signed, Joseph W. Chandler)
- - -
1880 census, age 13, living with her aunt, Harriet Baker.
- - -
Circuit Court of Fremont County, December 1885
In the matter of the Guardianship of Kate K. Farmer, minor heir of G. W. Farmer, deceased.


On December 30, 1885, Kate married Thomas Edwin Morgan and they had one child, a boy, born on October 31, 1886; he lived only two days.<ref name=child>Gravestone, Utterback Cemetery, Riverton, Iowa.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamoureux |first=Aimee |date=2018-05-03 |title=Some Say This Woman Haunts A California Hotel, But Who Was She? |url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/kate-morgan |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=All That's Interesting |language=en-US}}</ref>
Comes now, J. W. Chandler, Guardian of said minor, and report as his doings herein, since the 16th day of August, 1879, the date of his appointment as follows, to-wit:


Around 1890, Kate Morgan ran off with Albert Allen, a stepson of Thomas' stepmother, Emily Dennison Allen Morgan.<ref name=allen>Written statement by Tom Morgan's daughter.</ref>
That on July 10, 1880 he received and was charged with $112.16 cash belonging to his said ward Kate K. Farmer. That on said amount he has received the sum of $34.77 interest, making total amount up to this date $146.93.


This relationship also did not appear to have lasted. Although there are very few records of Morgan's life at this time, the next time she was reported sighted, she was ill and alone.
That since said date his said ward Kate K. Farmer has attained her majority and he has made full settlement with her and has paid her in full as shown by voucher attached and marked Exhibit "A" and he now asks to be discharged from further service as Guardian of said Kate K. Farmer. All of which is more particularly set forth in the Account Current and Property Report hereto attached. Dated this 3rd day of Sept., 1885.
- - -
Thomas E. Morgan, 25 and Kate K. Farmer, 19: marriage license #2114 taken out on December 29, 1885 with certificate of marriage dated December 30, 1885. Recorded in Fremont County Courthouse, Sidney, Iowa. Witnesses were Joe and Mrs. Fisher.
- - -
Harlan County Journal, April 9, 1936 obituary


Her next appearance was at Hotel del Coronado in 1892. She arrived on November 24,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Monteagudo|first=Merrie|year=2017|title=From the archives: 1892 death in Coronado|work=]|publication-place=San Diego, California|publication-date=|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-archives-kate-morgan-20171120-story.html|access-date=}}</ref> checking in under the name "Mrs. Lottie A. Bernard, Detroit." The staff reported that she seemed ladylike, beautiful, reserved, and well-dressed, but troubled and very melancholy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/kate-morgan|title = Some Say This Woman Haunts a California Hotel, but Who Was She?|date = 3 May 2018}}</ref>
Thomas Edwin Morgan was born near Moequa in Sangamon County, Illinois, on December 3, 1861, the son of Marsena and Purlina Ann Morgan. He came to Fremont County, Iowa, with his parents when he was a child at which place he grew to manhood. About 1890 he located at Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska and on December 12, 1893 he was united in marriage to Jennie Devor at that place where they established their home. To this union one child was born, Jane Mildred.


⚫ ==Death==
In 1916 they moved to Hubbell, Nebraska, and in 1922 they moved to Ragan, Nebraska, and on October 11, 1926 they came to Alma where they were residing when the death angel called at one p.m. on Friday, March 27, 1936, and took away the beloved husband and father.
⚫ Kate was found dead on November 29, 1892, on the exterior staircase of ] leading to the beach, of what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head five days after checking into the hotel. A San Francisco lawyer, Alan May, speculated in the 1980s that her death involved foul play. Evidence for the alleged homicide was a passing statement during the coroner's inquest that the bullet found in her head did not match that of her own gun. There are many theories as to how Kate Morgan died, however none have been confirmed.<ref name=May>Alan M. May. ''The Legend of Kate Morgan: The Search for the Ghost of the Hotel del Coronado''</ref>


== Sightings ==
The deceased had engaged in various occupations, having been a rural mail carrier at Burchard about seven years, when he was appointed postmaster there, which position he held for eight years. While living in at the other localities in Nebraska he was engaged in the grain and lumber business until he came to Alma. He held the position of deputy sheriff of Harlan County for some four years and then served as traffic policeman until he was no longer able to work.
⚫ There have been many putative ] sightings, and other potential ] events at ] since then. The official Hotel del Coronado website even mentions the ghost.<ref name="hoteldel">{{Cite web |title=Official website, Hotel del Coronado, History |url=http://www.hoteldel.com/about/history.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428070707/http://www.hoteldel.com/about/history.cfm |archive-date=2008-04-28 |access-date=2008-05-06}}</ref>


⚫ The hotel's Heritage Department has published an official book on this subject, written by the hotel's professional historian, titled ''The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado''. It avoids speculation in its research of historical documents available in local public libraries, historical societies, and university libraries as well as city hall and police files. The Heritage Department's book leans toward the official suicide verdict.<ref name="Heritage">Official Heritage Dept. Book, ''The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado'' {{ISBN|978-0-916251-73-4}}.</ref>
In February, 1900, he gave his heart to God and placed his membership with the Christian Church at Burchard and later changed his membership to Alma.


⚫ ==References==
The deceased was greatly interested in church work and served as Deacon for many years. He was always of a cheerful disposition and made friends easily and was liked by both young and old, being of a peaceful disposition himself, he always tried to bring peace and harmony out of chaos wherever possible.
{{Reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
In 1888, he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hamburg, Iowa and later transferred his membership to the order at Ragan, Nebr. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen, Royal Highlander and Rebekah Lodge.


Funeral services were conducted from the family home at 2:30 on Sunday, March 29th with the Rev. H. A. Boerne, local pastor officiating. Favorite hymns of the deceased were sung by the quartette. On Monday afternoon, funeral services were conducted at the home of his sister, Mrs. Mollie Pauly at Hamburg, Iowa, where Rev. D. N. Gilette, resident minister, officiated. Special music was rendered by Faye Weatherhead, assisted by Mrs. Carl Smith and Mrs. Roy Hopkins, nieces of the deceased. Interment was made in the family ground at Mount Zion cemetery, near Hamburg.

⚫ ==Death==
⚫ She was found dead on ], ], of what was believed to be a self-inflicted ] wound to the ]. This was five days after checking into the ] near ]. A San Francisco lawyer, the late Allan May, speculated in the 1980s that her death involved ]. Evidence for the alleged foul play was a passing statement (or misstatement), during the coroner's inquest, that the bullet found in her head did not match that of her own gun.<ref name=May>Alan M. May. ''The Legend of Kate Morgan: The Search for the Ghost of the Hotel del Coronado''. ISBN 1-122-26574-3</ref>. Nevertheless, whatever the merits of his book, he did revive interest in the subject by causing a stir with his murder theory. Officials reviewing the case, however, reviewed his speculations and chose not to reopen the case. The official verdict remains suicide.

==Haunting==
⚫ There have been many putative ] sightings, and other potential ] events at Hotel del Coronado since then. The official ] website <ref name=official>Official website, Hotel del Coronado, History </ref> mentions the ghost.

⚫ The hotel's Heritage Department has published an official book on this subject, written by the hotel's professional historian, titled ''The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado'' <ref name=Heritage>Official Heritage Dept. Book, ''The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado'' ISBN 978-0916251734</ref>. It avoids speculation in its research of historical documents available in local public libraries, historical societies, and university libraries as well as city hall and police files. The Heritage Department's book leans toward the official suicide verdict.
⚫ ==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Kate}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Kate}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:17, 9 December 2024

American housemaid (c. 1864 – 1892) For the Welsh beauty queen, model and actress, see Kate Alicia Morgan. For the 24 character, see Kate Morgan (24 character). For the American pornographic actress, see Katie Morgan.
Kate Morgan
Kate Morgan in circa 1886.Kate Morgan in circa 1886
BornKate Farmer
c. 1864
Fremont County, Iowa
DiedNovember 28, 1892(1892-11-28) (aged 27–28)
Coronado, California
NationalityAmerican
Other namesLottie A. Bernard
Known forGhost of Hotel del Coronado

Kate Morgan (c. 1864 – November 28, 1892) was an American woman who died under mysterious circumstances, and is thought by locals to now haunt Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California. She was buried at nearby Mount Hope Cemetery in Division 5, Section 1.

Background

Kate Farmer was born in Fremont County, Iowa, around the year of 1864. Her mother died on September 23, 1865, and at the age of two, young Kate was sent to live with her maternal grandfather, Joe Chandler.

On November 9, 1870, Kate's father, George Washington Farmer, was appointed to be the Postmaster of Hamburg, Iowa. He remarried in 1871, fathered two more daughters, and then moved to Texas, where he died in 1876.

On December 30, 1885, Kate married Thomas Edwin Morgan and they had one child, a boy, born on October 31, 1886; he lived only two days.

Around 1890, Kate Morgan ran off with Albert Allen, a stepson of Thomas' stepmother, Emily Dennison Allen Morgan.

This relationship also did not appear to have lasted. Although there are very few records of Morgan's life at this time, the next time she was reported sighted, she was ill and alone.

Her next appearance was at Hotel del Coronado in 1892. She arrived on November 24, checking in under the name "Mrs. Lottie A. Bernard, Detroit." The staff reported that she seemed ladylike, beautiful, reserved, and well-dressed, but troubled and very melancholy.

Death

Kate was found dead on November 29, 1892, on the exterior staircase of Hotel del Coronado leading to the beach, of what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head five days after checking into the hotel. A San Francisco lawyer, Alan May, speculated in the 1980s that her death involved foul play. Evidence for the alleged homicide was a passing statement during the coroner's inquest that the bullet found in her head did not match that of her own gun. There are many theories as to how Kate Morgan died, however none have been confirmed.

Sightings

There have been many putative ghost sightings, and other potential paranormal events at Hotel del Coronado since then. The official Hotel del Coronado website even mentions the ghost.

The hotel's Heritage Department has published an official book on this subject, written by the hotel's professional historian, titled The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado. It avoids speculation in its research of historical documents available in local public libraries, historical societies, and university libraries as well as city hall and police files. The Heritage Department's book leans toward the official suicide verdict.

References

  1. Gravestone, Mt. Olive Cemetery, Hamburg, Iowa.
  2. Affidavit of Joseph Chandler, August 12, 1879, in the matter of the Estate of George W. Farmer.
  3. National Archives, Old Military and Civil Records.
  4. Biography of Henry Eubank, "Wheatheart of the Plains - An Early History of Ochiltree County, 1969.
  5. Affidavit of B. M. Burke, County Clerk, McCullouch County, Texas, July 7, 1880, in the matter of the Estate of George W. Farmer.
  6. Gravestone, Utterback Cemetery, Riverton, Iowa.
  7. Lamoureux, Aimee (2018-05-03). "Some Say This Woman Haunts A California Hotel, But Who Was She?". All That's Interesting. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  8. Written statement by Tom Morgan's daughter.
  9. Monteagudo, Merrie (2017). "From the archives: 1892 death in Coronado". San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, California.
  10. "Some Say This Woman Haunts a California Hotel, but Who Was She?". 3 May 2018.
  11. Alan M. May. The Legend of Kate Morgan: The Search for the Ghost of the Hotel del Coronado
  12. "Official website, Hotel del Coronado, History". Archived from the original on 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  13. Official Heritage Dept. Book, The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado ISBN 978-0-916251-73-4.
Categories: