Interview: J. F. Mathews

J. F. Mathews, US Marshall and witness for the State being first duly sworn, testified as follows in the Circuit Court of Lafayette County during a special December term in 1901.

Q. Do you know Will Mathis?

A: Yes sir.

Q: Did you know John A. Montgomery in his lifetime?

A: Yes sir.

Q: Did you know Hugh Montgomery in his lifetime?

A. Yes sir.

Q: What official position did you hold and do you hold now?

A: Deputy Marshall of the United States Court.

Q: Field or Office Deputy?

A: Office Deputy.

Q: Tell the jury whether you know of any writ having been issued from the Federal Court for the arrest of Will Mathis at any time within the last month or two?

A: Yes sir, one was issued Nov. 12^th or 13^th by the United States Commissioner Mr. Adams.

Q: In whose hands was that writ placed for execution?

A: Hugh Montgomery's

Q: What official position did he hold if any?

A: Field deputy for the United States Court.

Q: Where did he live?

A: In Pontotoc County, near Algoma.

Q: About what age was the man Hugh Montgomery?

A: About 25 I think.

Q: Do you know whether or not John A. Montgomery was a field deputy U.S. Marshall or Special Deputy?

A: Yes, he was a special deputy -- he was to go with Hugh Montgomery as a guard.

Q: What day did they leave Oxford for the execution of that writ?

A: Saturday, the 16^th of November., between 2 and 3 o'clock.

Q: Do you know how far Will Mathis lived from here?

A: About 12 miles, in Lafayette County Mississippi.

Q: What was the charge against Mathis?

A: Distilling.

Q: Did you have any other business relationship with Hugh Montgomery besides passing the writ to him?

A: Yes I loaned him a Colts pistol No. 38 calibre.

Q: Did you ever get that pistol back?

A: Yes sir several days after that I did.

Q: What was the condition of that pistol when you got it?

A: It had a good deal of blood on it.

Q: Did you ever see Hugh or John A. Montgomery after they left that Saturday afternoon?

A: Only their remains.

Q: Did you go to the scene of trouble?

A: Yes sir.

Q: About how far is that place from here?

A: About 12 miles.

Q: What did you find on arriving there?

A: The house was burned down and two human bodies in it.

Q: What was the condition of those bodies?

A: They were badly burned.

Q: Who gave you that pistol back?

A: My father.

Q: Was that writ ever returned to the office or any report made as to it?

A. No sir.

No cross examination