Effects of Jug Of Christmas Whiskey
Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 27 — James Glover, a white farmer of the Ninth district of Tipton County, shot and instantly killed his son-in-law, Andrew Smith, at Glover’s home. Both were under the influence of mean whiskey ordered for a Christmas celebration. Ben Matthews, a farmer, constable, and deputy sheriff of the Thirteenth district tried to interfere and stop the fight and received a fatal shot in the abdomen from Glover. Glover is in jail, Smith is a corpse at his home and Matthews is dying all from the effects of one jug of Christmas Whiskey.
[Christmas Whiskey | Columbus Daily Enquirer Sun, Thursday, December 27, 1911]
CHRISTMAS MARKED BY MANY TRAGEDIES
Two Dead, One Dying at Covington
BIGELOW OFFICER DEAD
His Deputy Mortally Injured
Two Injured at Pine Bluff
BEN MATTHEWS WOUNDED
Prominent Covington Man Shot by James Glover, Who Also Killed Andrew Smith, His Son-in-Law – Negro Fatally Injures Blind Men at Pine Bluff – Other Tragedies
Numerous tragedies marked the celebration of Christmas in the South. The death roll was larger than it has been at this season in several years.
At Memphis an unknown man drowned himself from the deck of the steamer Pattona.
Two are dead and one dying at Covington as the result of Christmas brawls.
At Mobile there were two murders and one suicide.
Two men were fatally hurt at Pine Bluff by a negro’s pistol.
At Bigelow, Ark., an officer of the law killed another who had fatally wounded a third.
Chattanooga, New Orleans, Girard and Birmingham, Ala., Newport News, Middlesboro, Ky., Little Rock and Whiteville, Tenn., were the scenes of tragedies or serious accidents.
Special to The Commercial Appeal.
COVINGTON, Tenn., Dec. 25. – Two dead and one dying is the result of disturbances incident to the Christmas celebration here.
James W. Glover, a farmer of this city, shot and killed Andrew Smith, his son-in-law, and mortally wounded Ben Matthews, a friend of Smith’s, at Glover’s home, near Gainesville, seven miles from here Sunday afternoon about 6 o’clock.
Matthews, who is the son of a prominent planter, is not expected to survive. He is under the care of Dr. Battle Malone, of Memphis, and others who state that his chance of recovery is small. Glover has been arrested and confined in the county jail on a charge of murder.
A fist fight, in which Smith badly worsted Glover’s son, Lewis Glover, Sunday morning is supposed to have been the cause of the killing. Glover and Smith had settled their difference and both father and son had shaken hands with Smith, when after an afternoon of drinking, Glover and his son returned to their home. Smith and Matthews followed an hour later and according to the elder Glover entered without the formality of knocking. Glover immediately fired upon Smith who fell mortally wounded, but rose to his feet and staggered across the road, where he died. Matthews grappled with Glover and was shot through the stomach.
Killed by Billiard Cue
Glover is about 55 years old and has always borne the reputation of being a law abiding citizen. Matthews and Smith were about 25 years of age. The former is unmarried.
Tom Blankenship, a farmer, aged 40, was found dead in a ditch near here this morning. On examination it was found that he had died from concussion of the brain. W. H. Atkins and Guy Smith are under arrest, charged with accessory to his murder, and a warrant is out for Ben Rice, a farmer, who is charged with the deed.
Blankenship was struck on the head with a billiard cue in Atkins’ poolroom Saturday night in a general row. Soon after the occurrence he left the building for his home, near here, apparently unhurt. A searching party was instituted following his non-appearance and the finding of his body this morning was the result. A broken billiard cue was found by his side, which witnesses say he used in the fight. Blankenship is survived by a wife and children.
Rice, who is a farmer, disappeared soon after the fight and has not been found.
[Christmas Marked by Many Tragedies; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 26 Dec 1911; Pg 1]
EFFECTS OF JUG OF CHRISTMAS WHISKEY IN TIPTON COUNTY
James Glover Slays His Son-in-Law, Andrew Smith, There.
AT FORMER’S HOME
Also Fatally Shoots Deputy Sheriff Ben Matthews, Who Tried to Stop Fight
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec 26 – (Special) – James Glover, white farmer of the Ninth district of Tipton county, shot and instantly killed his son-in-law, Andrew Smith, at Glover’s home Sunday night about 9 o’clock. Both were under the influence of mean whiskey ordered for a Christmas celebration. Men Matthews, a farmer, constable and deputy sheriff of the Thirteenth district, tried to interfere and stop the fight and he received a fatal shot in the abdomen from Glover. Glover is in jail, Smith is a corpse at his home and Matthews is dying, all from the effects of one jug of Christmas whisky.
[Effects of Jug of Christmas Whiskey in Tipton County; The Tennessean; Nashville, Tenn; 26 Dec 1911; Pg 2]
ANDREW SMITH KILLED; BEN MATHEWS WOUNDED
Special to the Banner.
Covington, Tenn., December 26 – About 6 o’clock Sunday evening at his residence near Gainesville, James W. Glover shot and instantly killed his son-in-law, Andrew Smith, and probably mortally wounded Ben Matthews. Both young men were about 25 years old. Matthews made what he believed to be a dying statement, in which he said he and Smith went to Glover’s house and Smith knocked on the door; that Glover said, “Come in,” and immediately shot Smith in the head with a pistol, instantly killing him; that he (Matthews) attempted to take Glover’s pistol from him to prevent his shooting again, when Glover shot him in the stomach. Louis Glover, Glover’s son, and Smith had some trouble early in the evening. The parties are said to have been drinking.
Glover was arrested yesterday by Sheriff N. B. Portis at his home and was lodged in jail here. He claims that he was sitting in his room Sunday evening with his pistol in his pocket when Smith came in his house without knocking, and he shot him, as he had no business in the house; that he shot Matthews when the latter tried to take his pistol away from him. Glover is a man of family, 50 years old. Neither Smith or Matthews were armed. Matthews is said to be dying. He is of a prominent family and unmarried.
[Andrew Smith Killed; Ben Mathews Wounded; Nashville Banner; Nashville, Tenn; 26 Dec 1911; Pg 3]
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Bennette Hill Matthews was born on 5 Apr 1887. He made a miraculous recovery. He married Mary Phoeboe Dennis on 2 Mar 1916 in Tipton County. They had two children Bennette Jr. and Ruth Elise. Ben died on 31 Aug 1960. He was a retired farmer and had lived in Covington, TN all his life.
