Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-03-24
SHOTGUN TRAGEDY.
A Citizen OF Armour Pours Het Shot
into an Abusive and In
sultiDg Intruder.
The Inquest Results in Verdict OF Justi
fable Homicide, bat Charge
of Granddaughter is Laid.

| special 70 the Gazette.
MHxIA, TEX, March % From parties
who came in after coffin your reporter
learns of q terrible tragedy at Armour
twelve miles west Of here, which was en-
acted ct DR.. Hooper's residence this
morning shout O'Clock, between Hooper
and his son-in-law, Cul Mathews, and
which resulted in Mathews being killed.
The particulars as gathered from DR..
Hooper are as follows: Cul Mathews,
his two brothers and cousin are living on
DR.. Hooper's place, and had rented and
were beginning to work the land. Some
/ five or six weeks ago brother-in-IsW of
the Mathews, named Wyatt, came with
his family to live with them. HOOPER 3D.
posed his staying on his place, 50 he
(Hooper) was furnishing them supplies
and as Wyatt was not dispose to
do much work or permit the others to
labor as well as they should. Hooper in
sisted on Wyatt's leaving, but he refused
to go. Hooper told the Mathews and
thei: cousins they must make Wyatt leave
or he would be compelled to cease fur
nisbing them supplies, and they must
cease to cultivate his land. This seems
to DR.. Hooper's residence last Tuesday
morning about or 9 O'Clock, while
Hooper was absent at Mexis, and in
dulged In
CONSIDERABLE ABUSE
OF one Of the hands on Hooper's place,
and made threats against Hooper's life
and then went of. He returned that night
about 9 O'Clock and challenged Hooper
to come out into the yard,
and drew pistol partly out
of his pocket and used violent and abusive
language towards Hooper. Falling to
get Hooper to come out, Mathews then
went of. Hooper saw no more OF him
until this morning, when he came to
Hooper's residence in company with his
brother and cousin, whom Hooper had
sent for. Seeing Mathews approaching
Hooper told him he had not sent for him
and that he wanted him to leave his
premises. Mathews replied, with al oath,
that ne would not do so, but assumed 8
threatening attitude, having one Of his
hands in his pocket and the other holding
an ak, and approached the fence. Hooper
then went Into the house. Mrs.
Hooper insisted on Mathews lesv-
ing. he replied, with curse,
ne would NOT go. Mrs. Hooper then be-
sought the brother and cousin to induce
him to leave. They both replied in the
same rough, profsne manner they would
not do it. At this juncture Hooper rush
ed out with 8 double-bar shotgun
and fired upon Mathews, the charge Of
EIGHT OR TEN BUCKsHoT
taking effect In his breast, and killing
him instantly. Hooper shortly after sent
after Constable Ogilvie and surrendered
himself to him.
Justice Collum held an inquest over
Mathews remains and from evidence de-
duced during the trial, pronounced the
case to be one of justihsble homicide.
Officer Ogilvie called in three others to
act as guards to protect Hooper, who
feared violence at the hands of MstheWs'
relatives, and brought Hooper on
to this place where one of the guards |
made complaint against Hooper, charg-
ing him with msnslaughter. A warrant |
was issued by Justice Doyle and Hooper
waving examining trial his bond was
fixed at $4,000, which was readily given
and Hooper was released from custody.
Hooper is prominent physician and has |
been spoken of as
asss SUITABLE TIMER
Ter member of the Legislature. THE
afeir is indeed sad one and is deeply |
deplored.