Wm. Mattice

MATTICE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/18/2020 at 09:35:42

10 October 1890 - The Clarence Sun

Our community was thrown into a furor of excitement yesterday morning by the report that the evening before an attempt had been made to kill Mr. Johnson Spear, one of our well known and most respected farmers, residing about four miles south of town.

The facts in the case, as we learn them from Mr. S. B. Stonerook, a near neighbor, who was called to the scene by a son of Mr. Spear, are about as follows: Mr. Spear had just finished shelling corn and after hauling in the last load Wednesday evening and getting his scale tickets therefor, started home shortly after five o'clock. When a short distance this side of the Harmony Point school house Wm. Tice passed him in a road cart and shouted something to him. Tice had worked for Spear and recognizing that he was under the influence of liquor and rapidly driving towards his home, followed after him as fast as he could, passing him just as he was going in the gate at his home. Here Tice drew a revolver and fired three shots at Spear who jumped from his wagon for safety and ran to the house for his gun. Returning he drew a bead on the villain, who dropped to the ground. Mr. S. being a man of nerve and coolness he considered the consequences of what he was about to do and not wishing to bear the charge of murder, even in self defense, withdrew to the grove near the house. Tice, thinking Spear was inside, circled about the house calling for him to come out and soon settled down under an apple tree. By this time some of the neighbors had arrived but owing to the darkness they were unable to locate him until two of the boys started from the house towards the front gate, where they thought he was, when they were surprised by two shots from where he was lying in wait. These were quickly followed by another, which, on investigation, it was found he had intended should end his reckless career, as the ball entered his body just below the heart and passed through, lodging just below the skin on his back.

He was taken to Tipton by those present and turned over to the jailor who summoned medical aid to dress his wound.

Tice worked for Spear about two years, quitting last July to go to Illinois to visit his folks and after his return tried to get work there again but Mr. S. did not need any help then and so far as known there was no trouble between them. He next was in the employ of Jas. N. Anderson for a short time and later for James McConkle. He is known as a very profane man and during the day was noticed on our streets in an intoxicated condition and it was probably owing to this fact that his assault did not result in murder.

If he dies from his wound the county will be rid of a dangerous character; if not, he will no doubt be prosecuted by Mr. Spear and placed behind prison walls, where he should be for the safety of Mr. Spear's family and the community in general.

LATER--By telephone message from Sheriff Nachbour we learn that Tice died last night at six o'clock.

17 October 1890 - The Clarence Sun

The excitement over the shooting at Johnson Spear's last week has abated and the general verdict is that it was for the best that the young man should die by his own hand, as he did. We were misinformed as to his name, it being Mattice instead of Tice, but in every other particular our report was correct as we have been informed by several parties. Mattice's father, who lives at Cortland, Ill., was notified of his death and ordered the body to be buried at Tipton. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by his own hand.