Burlington Gazette-Monday, September 3, 1917, page 1
LAW STUDENT KILLS FARMER IN COLD BLOOD
Clarence Hedden, a Henry County
Young Man, Slew Ray Matthews*
VICTIM OF THE SHOOTING ONLY EIGHTEEN YEARS
OLD
Tragedy Occurred at Door of Country Church – Hedden Gives Himself Up
Mt. Pleasant, Ia. – Sept. 3 – Clarence Hedden, the 27-year-old law student
who yesterday shot and killed 18-year-old Raymond Matthews* after Sunday
school at Wesley chapel, sits moodly silence in his cell in the county jail,
refusing to give a reason for his act. It is feared he may commit suicide, and
a special watch has been placed over him.
Neither the family of the
murderer nor his victim or their friends can assign any motive for the act. As
far as can ve ascertained the young men had been on the best of terms and the
families, who lived about two miles apart, have enjoyed most cordial
relations.
Both Attend Sunday School
Hedden and Matthews* had attended the Sunday
School exercises in the church. There were about fifty people present and
Hedden preceded Matthews* from the edifice. He waited at the corner of the
building and when Matthews* reached the steps produced a Colt’s automatic gun
and blazed away. He fired five shots into the body of the youth before the
latter fell. The spectators, numbering many little children, were
horror-stricken and stood paralyzed as the body of the slain young man slowly
rolled down the steps, his blood crimsoning the worn planks.
Hedden said
not a word, nor gave the victim second glance. He slowly and deliberately
walked to the road, putting the gun in his pocket, as he proceeded , and
apparently the most unconcerned person in the vicinity, cooly cranked his
automobile, entered the machine and drove away.
Telephoned the Sheriff
No sooner had Hedden left than someone in the
crowd recovered his wits, and hurrying to the nearest farm house, telephoned
the news of the shooting to Sheriff Shepard of Mt. Pleasant. The sheriff
hastily left for the scene of the tragedy and met Hedden a few miles out of
town. The sheriff who has long known Hedden, halted his car and waited for the
other to come up, drawing his revolver and preparing for any eventuality.
Hedden, however, made no resistance. He stopped his car, greeted the sheriff
coolly and said; “I’m the man that did the shooting. Here’s my gun and I want
to give myself up.” The sheriff took the weapon and Hedden in his car and
returned to town, where he locked his charge in jail. In spite of all
questioning, Hedden refuses to say a word regarding the tragedy. His attorney,
Herman Elder, in whose office Hedden has been reading law, refuses to talk
concerning the case.
Just Back from Canada
Two days ago Hedden and Attorney Eldar returned
from an automobile trip to Canada, whither they had done on a business
mission.
Hedden had been married. Two years ago he and his wife were
divorced. She is remarried and is now residing in Nebraska.
Hedden and
Matthews* families are prominent and highly respected in this county. Hedden’s
parents are Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hedden, and the dead boy was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Harlan Matthews*. The little church where the tradegy occurred is
about one mile between the two homes.
For the past few years Hedden has
alternated between farm work and studying law, making his home at his parents’
place.
His friends say they noticed that he had been acting queerly of
late, being moody and quiet, but paid little attention to these spells.
*
should be spelled Mathews
