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Kate Morgan (1865-1892) is an Iowan who died under mysterious circumstances, and is thought by some to be a ghost at the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, CA. She was buried at nearby Mount Hope Cemetery in Division 5 Section 1.

Background

Morgan (nee Farmer) was born in Hamburg, Iowa in 1865. At the age of 20, she married Tom Morgan, alleged to have been a gambler who worked on trains. 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 Yellow press 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

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.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 November 29, 1892, of what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. This was five days after checking into the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego. A San Francisco lawyer, the late Allan May, speculated in the 1980s that her death involved foul play. 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.. 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 ghost sightings, and other potential paranormal events at Hotel del Coronado since then. The official Hotel del Coronado website 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. Alan M. May. The Legend of Kate Morgan: The Search for the Ghost of the Hotel del Coronado. ISBN 1-122-26574-3
2. Official website, Hotel del Coronado, History
3. Official Heritage Dept. Book, The Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and The Hotel del Coronado ISBN 978-0916251734

• 1865 births
• 1892 deaths
• People from Iowa
• Ghosts