Biographical Information: Hugh Montgomery

Field Deputy for the United States Courts, Hugh Montgomery was aged 25 at the time of his death. He resided in Pontotoc county, near Algoma, Mississippi. At approximately 2-3 p.m.on Saturday, November 16, 1901, a writ was issued and given over to Hugh Montgomery for the arrest of Will Mathis on a distillery charge. Field Deputy Montgomery was in possession of Colt .38 as he accompanied Special Deputy John Montgomery in the capacity of a guard to serve several warrants that day, including the one on Mathis.

The relationship between Hugh Montgomery and Will Mathis apparently was strained. Mathis, who was convicted and executed for Montgomery's murder, reportedly carried a grudge against Hugh Montgomery over a pistol taken from Mathis when he was arrested for passing bad money in August 1901. At the murder trial, George Jackson testified to seeing Mathis with that same pistol in his possession late on the night of the murders.

The smoldering ruins of the Mathis house were discovered in the early morning of November 17, 1901. Two bodies were also found among the ashes - Hugh Montgomery and John A. Montgomery. Hugh Montgomery's remains were identified by his brother, who recognized a gold tooth. It is unknown whether Hugh Montgomery was married or fathered any children. He was buried in Pontotoc, near his family home.