FULFILLS HIS DEATH THREAT.
Pasadena Slays His Son and then Kills Himself.
Widow Says Armour Planned Tragedy Two Years Ago.
Shootings Follow Swiftly on Her Maintenance Suit.
Carrying out a threat his widow says he made two years ago that if an attempt was made to take his son away "they will get him over a dead body," James S. Armour, a real estate salesman, yesterday killed his son, James Cochrane Armour, 13 years of age, and then slew himself, on a sleeping porch at their home, 383 South Catalina avenue, Pasadena. The action followed the filing last Monday of a suit for separate maintenance by Mrs. Eleanor Armour. Ex-Judge Bordwell, her lawyer, states that the custody of the child was not involved in the action. Mr. Armour had been despondent for some time and Mrs. Armour, in her suit, stated he had become intolerable, unreasonable and was in such a state of mind that living with him became an impossibility. Attorney Bordwell states that Armour had seemingly planned to leave home, as he had packed several boxes full of belongings. He evidently changed his mind after the filing of the suit and killed the boy and then committed suicide. He left a not to Ives and Warren, undertakers, stating he "was going and would take James with him" and asked that there be no useless expense in burials, but that the bodies be cremated and no money spent on caskets. Mrs. Armour was awakened at 6:30 a.m., by the shot which killed her son, but thought the noise was made by an automobile tire. Soon afterward the second shot was fired and she hurried to the sleeping-porch where she found the bodies of her husband and son.
CURSED AND ABUSED.
In her suit for separate maintenance Mrs. Armour says they were married in New York June 23, 1897, and had two children, Lillias Armour, 20 and James the murdered boy. Mrs. Armour owns the home in the Orange Dale tract, Pasadena.
Since July 29, 1917, Mr. Armour, she says, caused her grevious mental suffering through which her health has been injured. She says he cursed and abused her; accused her of being dishonest, a hypocrite and a liar. He told her she was trying to alienate from him the affections of their children; he refused to participate in any social engagements with Mrs. Armour, and charged her with infidelity.
When Mrs. Armour expressed a willingness to sign a syndicate agreement concerning her separate property, Mr. Armour said to her, the complaint states"
"If you sign that agreement against my children you will rue the day. Hell will be let loose; you will lose your friends. Time will come when they won't want to ride with you. You needn't think you can do as you please; try it and see. Get out of my sight; I despise you."
Two months later, in September 1917, Mr. Armour states to his wife, the complaint alleges:
THE DEATH THREAT.
"You might as well clear out here; pack your trunk and go East with Lillias. I am going to stay here. You know what I am talking about. If any one takes James away from me, they will get him over a dead body. You have won Lillias and poisoned her against me, but you'll never get James."
Mr. Armour became enraged in January, 1918, when Mrs. Armour wanted to take James to a theatrical performance. He said:
"Your are a mother, but a damn poor one. I hate you. You have played a sweet role for the past year and there's a upheaval coming, and it's coming quick. When you lift this cloud you may accept a dinner engagement. You are a she devil; you try to be an angel on the outside."
Mrs. Armour while not waiving her rights to the minor child, did not request any order relative to the custody of the boy. She asked for alimony of $100 a month, stating her husband earls $2000 a year as a real estate broker. Mr. Armour was cited into court next Monday on an order to show cause.
Attorney Bordwell said the action was brought for the purpose of establishing a legal separation.
BROTHER WEALTHY.
The Armours have been prominent in Pasadena for years, although not active socially. Mr. Armour was a brother of M. Cochrane Armour, a wealthy retired steel manufacture, who estate on Linda Vista boulevard, overlooking the Arryo Seco, is one of the show places of the city. James S. Armour had been connected with local real estate firms for a number of years, and was with the Leo G. MacLaughlin Company at the time of the tragedy. Before coming here he was a salesman for an eastern collar factory.
From the time the Armours moved to Pasadena until the murder and suicide, friends had remarked upon the comradeship between James S. Armour and his son. The two were almost inseparable pals, and took long hikes in the hills and other outings together. Acquaintances had noted recently that Mr. Armour was in indifferent health, moody and preoccupied. The tragic solution of his troubles which he finally carried out was then formulating, no doubt.
James Cochrane Armour, the murdered boy, was a student at John Muir intermediate school, and was popular among his fellows. His sister, Miss Eleanor Armour, is a student at Smith College.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)
03 January 1920, Saturday • Page 24
Pasadena Slays His Son and then Kills Himself.
Widow Says Armour Planned Tragedy Two Years Ago.
Shootings Follow Swiftly on Her Maintenance Suit.
Carrying out a threat his widow says he made two years ago that if an attempt was made to take his son away "they will get him over a dead body," James S. Armour, a real estate salesman, yesterday killed his son, James Cochrane Armour, 13 years of age, and then slew himself, on a sleeping porch at their home, 383 South Catalina avenue, Pasadena. The action followed the filing last Monday of a suit for separate maintenance by Mrs. Eleanor Armour. Ex-Judge Bordwell, her lawyer, states that the custody of the child was not involved in the action. Mr. Armour had been despondent for some time and Mrs. Armour, in her suit, stated he had become intolerable, unreasonable and was in such a state of mind that living with him became an impossibility. Attorney Bordwell states that Armour had seemingly planned to leave home, as he had packed several boxes full of belongings. He evidently changed his mind after the filing of the suit and killed the boy and then committed suicide. He left a not to Ives and Warren, undertakers, stating he "was going and would take James with him" and asked that there be no useless expense in burials, but that the bodies be cremated and no money spent on caskets. Mrs. Armour was awakened at 6:30 a.m., by the shot which killed her son, but thought the noise was made by an automobile tire. Soon afterward the second shot was fired and she hurried to the sleeping-porch where she found the bodies of her husband and son.
CURSED AND ABUSED.
In her suit for separate maintenance Mrs. Armour says they were married in New York June 23, 1897, and had two children, Lillias Armour, 20 and James the murdered boy. Mrs. Armour owns the home in the Orange Dale tract, Pasadena.
Since July 29, 1917, Mr. Armour, she says, caused her grevious mental suffering through which her health has been injured. She says he cursed and abused her; accused her of being dishonest, a hypocrite and a liar. He told her she was trying to alienate from him the affections of their children; he refused to participate in any social engagements with Mrs. Armour, and charged her with infidelity.
When Mrs. Armour expressed a willingness to sign a syndicate agreement concerning her separate property, Mr. Armour said to her, the complaint states"
"If you sign that agreement against my children you will rue the day. Hell will be let loose; you will lose your friends. Time will come when they won't want to ride with you. You needn't think you can do as you please; try it and see. Get out of my sight; I despise you."
Two months later, in September 1917, Mr. Armour states to his wife, the complaint alleges:
THE DEATH THREAT.
"You might as well clear out here; pack your trunk and go East with Lillias. I am going to stay here. You know what I am talking about. If any one takes James away from me, they will get him over a dead body. You have won Lillias and poisoned her against me, but you'll never get James."
Mr. Armour became enraged in January, 1918, when Mrs. Armour wanted to take James to a theatrical performance. He said:
"Your are a mother, but a damn poor one. I hate you. You have played a sweet role for the past year and there's a upheaval coming, and it's coming quick. When you lift this cloud you may accept a dinner engagement. You are a she devil; you try to be an angel on the outside."
Mrs. Armour while not waiving her rights to the minor child, did not request any order relative to the custody of the boy. She asked for alimony of $100 a month, stating her husband earls $2000 a year as a real estate broker. Mr. Armour was cited into court next Monday on an order to show cause.
Attorney Bordwell said the action was brought for the purpose of establishing a legal separation.
BROTHER WEALTHY.
The Armours have been prominent in Pasadena for years, although not active socially. Mr. Armour was a brother of M. Cochrane Armour, a wealthy retired steel manufacture, who estate on Linda Vista boulevard, overlooking the Arryo Seco, is one of the show places of the city. James S. Armour had been connected with local real estate firms for a number of years, and was with the Leo G. MacLaughlin Company at the time of the tragedy. Before coming here he was a salesman for an eastern collar factory.
From the time the Armours moved to Pasadena until the murder and suicide, friends had remarked upon the comradeship between James S. Armour and his son. The two were almost inseparable pals, and took long hikes in the hills and other outings together. Acquaintances had noted recently that Mr. Armour was in indifferent health, moody and preoccupied. The tragic solution of his troubles which he finally carried out was then formulating, no doubt.
James Cochrane Armour, the murdered boy, was a student at John Muir intermediate school, and was popular among his fellows. His sister, Miss Eleanor Armour, is a student at Smith College.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)
03 January 1920, Saturday • Page 24
FULFILLS HIS DEATH THREAT.
Pasadena Slays His Son and then Kills Himself.
Widow Says Armour Planned Tragedy Two Years Ago.
Shootings Follow Swiftly on Her Maintenance Suit.
Carrying out a threat his widow says he made two years ago that if an attempt was made to take his son away "they will get him over a dead body," James S. Armour, a real estate salesman, yesterday killed his son, James Cochrane Armour, 13 years of age, and then slew himself, on a sleeping porch at their home, 383 South Catalina avenue, Pasadena. The action followed the filing last Monday of a suit for separate maintenance by Mrs. Eleanor Armour. Ex-Judge Bordwell, her lawyer, states that the custody of the child was not involved in the action. Mr. Armour had been despondent for some time and Mrs. Armour, in her suit, stated he had become intolerable, unreasonable and was in such a state of mind that living with him became an impossibility. Attorney Bordwell states that Armour had seemingly planned to leave home, as he had packed several boxes full of belongings. He evidently changed his mind after the filing of the suit and killed the boy and then committed suicide. He left a not to Ives and Warren, undertakers, stating he "was going and would take James with him" and asked that there be no useless expense in burials, but that the bodies be cremated and no money spent on caskets. Mrs. Armour was awakened at 6:30 a.m., by the shot which killed her son, but thought the noise was made by an automobile tire. Soon afterward the second shot was fired and she hurried to the sleeping-porch where she found the bodies of her husband and son.
CURSED AND ABUSED.
In her suit for separate maintenance Mrs. Armour says they were married in New York June 23, 1897, and had two children, Lillias Armour, 20 and James the murdered boy. Mrs. Armour owns the home in the Orange Dale tract, Pasadena.
Since July 29, 1917, Mr. Armour, she says, caused her grevious mental suffering through which her health has been injured. She says he cursed and abused her; accused her of being dishonest, a hypocrite and a liar. He told her she was trying to alienate from him the affections of their children; he refused to participate in any social engagements with Mrs. Armour, and charged her with infidelity.
When Mrs. Armour expressed a willingness to sign a syndicate agreement concerning her separate property, Mr. Armour said to her, the complaint states"
"If you sign that agreement against my children you will rue the day. Hell will be let loose; you will lose your friends. Time will come when they won't want to ride with you. You needn't think you can do as you please; try it and see. Get out of my sight; I despise you."
Two months later, in September 1917, Mr. Armour states to his wife, the complaint alleges:
THE DEATH THREAT.
"You might as well clear out here; pack your trunk and go East with Lillias. I am going to stay here. You know what I am talking about. If any one takes James away from me, they will get him over a dead body. You have won Lillias and poisoned her against me, but you'll never get James."
Mr. Armour became enraged in January, 1918, when Mrs. Armour wanted to take James to a theatrical performance. He said:
"Your are a mother, but a damn poor one. I hate you. You have played a sweet role for the past year and there's a upheaval coming, and it's coming quick. When you lift this cloud you may accept a dinner engagement. You are a she devil; you try to be an angel on the outside."
Mrs. Armour while not waiving her rights to the minor child, did not request any order relative to the custody of the boy. She asked for alimony of $100 a month, stating her husband earls $2000 a year as a real estate broker. Mr. Armour was cited into court next Monday on an order to show cause.
Attorney Bordwell said the action was brought for the purpose of establishing a legal separation.
BROTHER WEALTHY.
The Armours have been prominent in Pasadena for years, although not active socially. Mr. Armour was a brother of M. Cochrane Armour, a wealthy retired steel manufacture, who estate on Linda Vista boulevard, overlooking the Arryo Seco, is one of the show places of the city. James S. Armour had been connected with local real estate firms for a number of years, and was with the Leo G. MacLaughlin Company at the time of the tragedy. Before coming here he was a salesman for an eastern collar factory.
From the time the Armours moved to Pasadena until the murder and suicide, friends had remarked upon the comradeship between James S. Armour and his son. The two were almost inseparable pals, and took long hikes in the hills and other outings together. Acquaintances had noted recently that Mr. Armour was in indifferent health, moody and preoccupied. The tragic solution of his troubles which he finally carried out was then formulating, no doubt.
James Cochrane Armour, the murdered boy, was a student at John Muir intermediate school, and was popular among his fellows. His sister, Miss Eleanor Armour, is a student at Smith College.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)
03 January 1920, Saturday • Page 24
Pasadena Slays His Son and then Kills Himself.
Widow Says Armour Planned Tragedy Two Years Ago.
Shootings Follow Swiftly on Her Maintenance Suit.
Carrying out a threat his widow says he made two years ago that if an attempt was made to take his son away "they will get him over a dead body," James S. Armour, a real estate salesman, yesterday killed his son, James Cochrane Armour, 13 years of age, and then slew himself, on a sleeping porch at their home, 383 South Catalina avenue, Pasadena. The action followed the filing last Monday of a suit for separate maintenance by Mrs. Eleanor Armour. Ex-Judge Bordwell, her lawyer, states that the custody of the child was not involved in the action. Mr. Armour had been despondent for some time and Mrs. Armour, in her suit, stated he had become intolerable, unreasonable and was in such a state of mind that living with him became an impossibility. Attorney Bordwell states that Armour had seemingly planned to leave home, as he had packed several boxes full of belongings. He evidently changed his mind after the filing of the suit and killed the boy and then committed suicide. He left a not to Ives and Warren, undertakers, stating he "was going and would take James with him" and asked that there be no useless expense in burials, but that the bodies be cremated and no money spent on caskets. Mrs. Armour was awakened at 6:30 a.m., by the shot which killed her son, but thought the noise was made by an automobile tire. Soon afterward the second shot was fired and she hurried to the sleeping-porch where she found the bodies of her husband and son.
CURSED AND ABUSED.
In her suit for separate maintenance Mrs. Armour says they were married in New York June 23, 1897, and had two children, Lillias Armour, 20 and James the murdered boy. Mrs. Armour owns the home in the Orange Dale tract, Pasadena.
Since July 29, 1917, Mr. Armour, she says, caused her grevious mental suffering through which her health has been injured. She says he cursed and abused her; accused her of being dishonest, a hypocrite and a liar. He told her she was trying to alienate from him the affections of their children; he refused to participate in any social engagements with Mrs. Armour, and charged her with infidelity.
When Mrs. Armour expressed a willingness to sign a syndicate agreement concerning her separate property, Mr. Armour said to her, the complaint states"
"If you sign that agreement against my children you will rue the day. Hell will be let loose; you will lose your friends. Time will come when they won't want to ride with you. You needn't think you can do as you please; try it and see. Get out of my sight; I despise you."
Two months later, in September 1917, Mr. Armour states to his wife, the complaint alleges:
THE DEATH THREAT.
"You might as well clear out here; pack your trunk and go East with Lillias. I am going to stay here. You know what I am talking about. If any one takes James away from me, they will get him over a dead body. You have won Lillias and poisoned her against me, but you'll never get James."
Mr. Armour became enraged in January, 1918, when Mrs. Armour wanted to take James to a theatrical performance. He said:
"Your are a mother, but a damn poor one. I hate you. You have played a sweet role for the past year and there's a upheaval coming, and it's coming quick. When you lift this cloud you may accept a dinner engagement. You are a she devil; you try to be an angel on the outside."
Mrs. Armour while not waiving her rights to the minor child, did not request any order relative to the custody of the boy. She asked for alimony of $100 a month, stating her husband earls $2000 a year as a real estate broker. Mr. Armour was cited into court next Monday on an order to show cause.
Attorney Bordwell said the action was brought for the purpose of establishing a legal separation.
BROTHER WEALTHY.
The Armours have been prominent in Pasadena for years, although not active socially. Mr. Armour was a brother of M. Cochrane Armour, a wealthy retired steel manufacture, who estate on Linda Vista boulevard, overlooking the Arryo Seco, is one of the show places of the city. James S. Armour had been connected with local real estate firms for a number of years, and was with the Leo G. MacLaughlin Company at the time of the tragedy. Before coming here he was a salesman for an eastern collar factory.
From the time the Armours moved to Pasadena until the murder and suicide, friends had remarked upon the comradeship between James S. Armour and his son. The two were almost inseparable pals, and took long hikes in the hills and other outings together. Acquaintances had noted recently that Mr. Armour was in indifferent health, moody and preoccupied. The tragic solution of his troubles which he finally carried out was then formulating, no doubt.
James Cochrane Armour, the murdered boy, was a student at John Muir intermediate school, and was popular among his fellows. His sister, Miss Eleanor Armour, is a student at Smith College.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)
03 January 1920, Saturday • Page 24
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