Dallas Herald
April 16, 1870, p. 1, c. 5
| Desperado Killed. - We learn that a desperado, named Matkins, was killed in Jacksonville, Cherokee County, on the day of the circus exhibition of C. W. Noyes, at that place. This is the same one who killed a man attached to Orton's circus, on a previous occasion, and report says has been guilty of other like crimes of a most revolting nature. On the day of the Noyes' circus exhibition a party of troops were sent down from this place to ascertain the whereabouts of the murderer, and, if possible, arrest him. As was expected, the assassin came into town, armed, and fully prepared to defend himself. The officer in command, Lt. Bothwick, attempted an arrest when he at once resisted, firing a double barrel gun at the party. The troops then fired, killing him on the spot. It was the general impression among the citizens that rather than be taken alive he would fight to the last, and so it proved. The people of the neighborhood where he lived are highly elated that so desperate a villain has paid the penalty of his crimes. He had become a perfect terror to all the surrounding country. We are also informed that a young man by the name of Smith, who had been in the company with Matkins, was killed on the same day; under what circumstances we have not learned. - [Tyler Index. |
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