The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-09-29

Solomon ". Mathews. titiZtf Vi
Ward t, residing about two and one
half miles southeast Of Ringgold. was
found dead at a spring near his home
on Friday of last week. His death
was caused by two wounds from a shot
gun, one taking effect in the back near
the waist and the other in the back OF
the head. Although the body was
badly decompOsed it appeared that the
wound in the body was caused by a
shot fired from a distance, while the
wound in the head would Indicate that
the shot was fired from close range.
Mr.. Mathews had gone to the spring
for the purpose of laundering his
clothes and judging from the condition
of the clothes had about half complet-
ed his task when ha was killed.
Apparently he had been dead for at
least s or 10 days.
Immediately upon receipt OF the
news Sheriff Currie accompanied by
| Marshal J. w. Boddie and DR.. Claude
Ferguson, parish coroner, left for Ring
gold and from there went to the scene
| Of the crime They found the llteless
body in such decomposed state that
il was almost beyond recognition An
examination of which revealed that
his rockets had been turned wrong
side out and his pocket knife was
found about 80 feet away, and some
believe that robbery was the motive
that prompted the crime, as he was not
known to have any bitter enemies. A.
ter thorough investigation Of the
body and the spot where he was muir
dered, Sheriff Currie and his party &C.
companied by Mrs, Butcher and Mrs.
; Graham, daughters Of Mr.. Mathews,
and others went to his home about l00
Yards from the spring, which they
found securely locked. Upon gaining
an entrance to the one room log cabin
in which he made his home they were
greeted by an unsightly scene. The
room was filled with plumber which
consisted. of lifetime accumulation
a bed and just such cooking utensils
as necessary for the preparation OF a
scant meal. Mathews had lived alone
since the death of his wife several
I years ago, and due to his peculiarities
his children had never visited his home
and knew nothing Of his home life MOI
had he ever cultliyed neighborl!
spirit among those living near hi
home.
In searching the house in an etfor
to find some clue that would lead tt
, the identity of the assassin they foun
$1,O37.67, about $4,000 of this amour
had been carelessly placed in an oil
pair of trousers hanging on the wal
=. and the balance was found stuc
around in other places in the room
Among other belongings was found on
;45 Colts revolver; one 30 Smith 4 We
son revolver; one 50 Smith 4 Wesso
revolver; one muzzle-l0ading shot gun
one single barrel shot gun and OF
double barrel shot gun with plenty
|. cartridges for the rev0lyers. An e.
g animation of the double barrel gu
e which was found on the bed reveale
t the fact that it had been recently use
10 and two empty shells to fit it wei
found near the scene Of the murde
this with other evidence will prObab
develop into a clue whereby the gu
ty party may be apprehended.
Mr.. Mathews owned between g.
and $50 acres of land, the majority
which is timbered lands covered wi
. virgin oak and pine timber. He 1
ways made it appear that he was
- very bad shape financially and ev
went to Minden a few weeks ago al
borrowed money to pay his taxes, Al
it is now known that he had at lea
y $1,000 of $1,2O0.OO in cash at t
- time. His peculiarities made him
~ outstanding figure in the communi
~ and though he was not considered
" bad character, he was more or less
IN own law.