The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-11-20
FOUND DEAD IN THE WOODS.
Sad and Mysterious Ending Of Mr.. 0.
MaiheWSOn, a Business Man Of
FarmYlIIe.

Mr.. O. MathewsOn came To our
town but recently from the city Of
Cleveland, Ohio, opened up what
promised to be a prosperous five-and-
ten-cent store, and had already made
a pleasant impression upon our people
and had attracted the attention Of
many customers.
On last Thursday he went out hunt
ing in company with two little boys Of
Fsrmvllle. After being sometime In
the woods he separated from the boys
and went alone in search OF game.
The boys saw no more Of him, and as
night came on and the time for their
return home, they tried TO attract his
attention by firing their guns. Re
celving no response they came back to
town and reported what had happen
ed. From that time until Saturday
morning diligent search was made to
solve the mystery. On Saturday morn
ug his son, Mr.. Roy Mathewson,
who came to join him in business
here, found the body in the woods Of
the Watkins estate, on the south side
of the road leading to Hampden-Sid-
ney, and evidently death had occurred
on Thursday evening.
The body was Oh a pile Of pine
brush when found, and by his side
was revolver Standing in the brush
near his feet was slngle-barrel 20
guage shot gun.
The gun he had was found to be still
loaded, but two chambers of the pistol
were empty.
The following jury Of inquest was
summoned, who, with Coroner Doctor
j. Il. Spencer, viewed the remains
and their surroundings. &. /. Chick,
L.. b. Cunningham, j.. A. Garland, ).
II. Young, ST., +. l.. Dupuy and j. l..
Hart. The verdict was that the de
ceased came to his death by a bullet
wound fired from a pistol in his own
hands. The Coroner aud Common
wealth's Attorney Watkins were soon
on the spot after information Of the
finding had been secured.
The fact that the ball penetrated the
hat brim and inner binding is believed
by some to be proof that no work oil
the suicide had been done but that he
fell over the pile Of brush while eager
~ i'm search of a rabbit when the pis-
toll was discharged. And to this as
proof that Mr.. Mathewson did not
take his own life, we are glad to add
what we have been told, that he had
abundant means, knew nothing OF H.
nancial embarrassment, was happily
married and happy in his home HE
No foul play is thought Of, as he had
no enemy in our midst, and when the
body was found the yaluables he car
ried were untouched. Gods eye alone
looked upon what was done out IN the
lone and dark woods on this fateful
evening. but from the human stand
point we record only another of the
3 sad aud mysterious accid nts that so
often mark and mar human life.
The funeral took place from the home
b on Third Street, Sunday afternoon at
3o'clock, aud was conducted 10y Rev.
Mr.. Graham. Of the Presbyterian
Church, and consisted, at the request
of the family, Of brief but impressive
! PRAYER. A number Of new-made
friends were in attendance to express
their deep sympathy in the hour OF
+ great sorrow. The remains were then
o. removed to our town cemetery when
, after another prayer, they were bur
] led
- Mr. Mathewson was looking for
4 ward with much pleasure to winter
4 in Virginia, and though he has found
= a grave instead Of a home, may he rest
D in peace.
b He is survived by his wife aud two
sons.
His wife and son, Mr. Ray Mathew
= son. reached Farmville on last Mon
day. and we extend to them the ten
der sympathy Of the people OF the
home Of their adoption.
Mr.. Ray Mathewson will continue
the business, and we trust with graft
fvinp success