Press: Mathis Captured

Oxford Eagle,November 21, 1901

Mathis Captured
A telephone message from Dallas last night about 8:30 o’clock stated that Will Mathis had surrendered to Esq. Oren Brown.

LAWLESSNESS
The recent horrible murder and burning of the bodies of the murdered men in our county should be a lesson to our citizens to make war upon vice before it becomes a menace to life and safety. For years, wild cat still and accompanying evils have existed in LaFayette County and only spasmodic attempts have been made to rid the community of their baleful influence. The effects of this lawlessness is shown in the recent attempt to bring Mathis to punishment for various crimes. Two witnesses have been killed, others threatened and intimidated, and two brave officers have given their lives attempting to enforce obedience to the law. There are more tragedies yet to come, unless heroic efforts are made to clean the county of the lawless element predominating. We need united effort, determined, and unceasing effort to enforce the law, and it is the duty of every citizen to give aid in the matter

A HORRIBLE CRIME
John A. Montgomery, of this place, and Hugh Montgomery, of Pontotoc, Murdered
Saturday Night Near Delay, And to add Horror to the Dastardly Deed the House was Fired to Conceal the Diabolical Act-The Bodies were Burned Beyond Recognition-Both were Brave and True Men.

One of the most horrible double murders that ever occurred in North Mississippi was committed near Delay, a small village 12 miles south east of Oxford, Saturday night, in which two brave and faithful officers were the victims. Special Deputy United States Marshal John. Montgomery of this place, and Hugh Montgomery of Pontotoc, left Oxford about 3 o’clock that afternoon with a warrant for the arrest of Will Mathis, a desperado, for illicit distilling. The arrest was made, and the trio were supposed to have made the arrangements to return to town.

Pistol shots were heard in that direction at frequent intervals during the night. About 4 o’clock Sunday morning Mathis’ house was discovered on fire, but when Messr. Dan Welch and Robuck, reached the scene the house was reduce to ashes, and the charred remains of the brave officers were found.

The news was received here about 9:30 o’clock Sunday morning and the town was thrown into intense excitement and a large posse left at once for the scene of the horrible deed. Coroner Turner at once impaneled a jury and began the taking of testimony.

The scene was appalling. Brave men were moved to tears as they viewed the work of the assassins. The cremated bodies were removed from the dying embers. Mr. John A. Montgomery was identified by a small piece of clothing and a pocketknife and Mr. Hugh Montgomery was identified by a gold tooth.

Orlando Lester, colored, who was a tenant of Mathis, was arrested not far from the scene of the terrible crime and placed in jail.

Bill Jackson, a white man, was arrested, and lodged in jail, as it was proven that he was at the house that night.

Monday morning Mathis’ wife was brought in, also her father, Whit Owens, and put through a rigid examination, but they maintained they new nothing of the crime, but despite this the jury ordered them to jail.

When placed on the stand Mrs. Mathis stated she left home after dark with her infant child, for her father’s accompanied by the negro Lester, and did not cook supper that night, but the negro stated that supper was prepared and that he took Mrs. Mathis and her little child to her father’s about 10 o’clock that night. The post morten examination of Mr. John A. Montgomery’s remains Tuesday revealed the fact that masticated food was found in his throat, and the brave men were murdered while eating supper.

LATER
The negro has confessed. The sweating progress of Tuesday was too much for him. He laid bare the awful plot. He assisted Mathis in the terrible deed. Mathis had no weapons, and after supper the officers retired, little suspecting the fate that was in store for them. Mathis sent the negro to Whit Owens for a gun but did not get one and the negro stole into another house and got a double barrel shot gun. He returned to the house and gave the gun to Mathis and they then went to the room where the officers were asleep. The negro held the light while Mathis ordered "hands up" and the officers attempted to reach for their pistols, when Mathis fired one barrel of the gun at each, killing them instantly.

After the murder, Mathis and Lester went to Owens, and returned to the house and removed some of the furniture and dragged the bodies into another room, piled bedding on the dead officers, and set fire to the house to conceal the evidence of their crime.

Mrs. Mathis has confessed that she was in the house at the time of the deed and she admitted that Bill Jackson prevailed on Mathis not to kill the officers and left before the deed.

Monday night a posse left town for the scene of the crime, followed by a still larger one Tuesday to surround the swamp where the murderer is hiding.

Bob Murry brought his bloodhounds up from Water Valley Wednesday and left at once for the scene. Also another pack of man trailers from Milan, Tenn., are on the trail.

The coroner’s jury is still in session and the more they probe the blacker the crime reveals itself.

Thus is the history of one the most horrible crimes ever committed in any section.

George Jackson, who joined Mathis Sunday night, was captured yesterday about noon and was placed in jail.

Tuesday, Mr. Dave Rogers received a threatening letter dated at Delay and mailed here which added more fuel to the flame of excitement:

DELAY, Miss, Nov.18, 1901.

"Dave Rogers:

"We wright you this to let you no your time is next, an aneybody else that come out here fooling about with our business. (Sentence too vile for print.) This is to tell you your life is in your hans.

" ‘THIS IS US’ "

The funeral services over the remains of Mr. Montgomery were held at his home Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock, conducted by Rev W.D. Heddleston, and at 1 o’clock all that was mortal of him who had passed away was laid to rest by his sorrowing friends.

Mr. J. A. Montgomery has been a resident of LaFayette County sine 1867, and was one of the bravest soldiers that served in the civil war. His body bore seven scars received in defense of Southern principles. He was highly esteemed by many warm friends. A kinder hearted, braver man never lived than John A. Montgomery.

Mr. Hugh Montgomery, of Pontotoc, was also a most estimable young man, respected wherever known. His remains were taken to his home Monday for interment.