Press: Mathis Trial

Oxford Eagle, June 27, 1902

THE REPRIEVE OF MATHIS AND LESTER

The postponement of the hanging of Will Mathis and Orlando Lester, for the murder of the two Montgomery’s last November, was doubtless a disappointment to many who are anxious to have these criminals pay the death penalty for their heinous offense against the law. In fact, every right minded citizen is of the opinion that the execution of these murderers should take place as soon as it could be legally done. But there is another matter deserving consideration. If Mathis and Lester had been hung upon the day appointed by Judge Lowry, there would be no evidence that could be produced that would convict Whit Owens of aiding in and abetting the crime. From facts brought out during the trial in January, it is evident that Whit Owens was the instigator of the deed, and it is believed by many that his true connection with the crime has never been disclosed. Those who have the matter in charge believe that it is but right and just to defer the richly deserved punishment of Mathis and Lester until Owens can be metered out justice also, for, without the testimony of Mathis and Lester, there would be danger of having this arch schemer and leader in crime, turned loose upon our community again, in a few years, with his evil ways not improved by the trifling punishment of imprisonment. The delay of a few months cannot harm any one, and a guilty man would probably go unpunished, and many might suffer in future years, by recklessly hastening the punishment which is certain to come in due time. We beg all interested in upholding the majesty of the law, to possess their souls in patience, as undue haste would cause one of the leaders in the crime to evade the penalty of his deed.

MATHIS’ FAIRWELL LETTER
Will Mathis wrote this farewell letter to his wife last Saturday, under the impression that no respite would be granted, and that he would be hung on Tuesday:

"My Dear Wife — If I have to part with you the 24^th, please don’t grieve after me. I feel prepared to meet my God. Remember, Jesus had to give up his life in this way. He knows how hard it is to be took wrongfully and I feel I have got all the sympathy that he can have for any one. Try and live a Christian life and come to meet me when you die. Raise Cleveland right. Don’t let him keep bad company. Please don’t let your pa raise Cleveland if he gets out of his trouble. You know he has taken my life away from me. You know his belief and his wrong way of doing. He is not fit to raise a boy. Your know I left home and give him and Orlando possession and tried to prove myself away from home to keep from telling on them.

You know I have to pay his debt with my own life, and I think that is enough without giving him my baby to raise. I wish you could tell me, and tell me the truth, whether you aim to stay with your pa if he gets out or not. I think you could stay with my people until Cleveland gets large enough for you and him to go to yourself. Cordie, I don’t ask you to tell anything on your pa, but I do ask you to remember me as a kind and true husband, and if they swear lies on me I want you to go on the witness stand and tell the court they have lied. My prayer to God is that you and Cleveland get along well and have plenty and be liked by everybody. So good-bye, your loving husband.

"WILL MATHIS"