AMOS
MAT AMOS
MAT AMOS
Last Saturday, Christmas day, a pistol shot rung out on Main street.
A Sudden confusion ensued. Men rushed wildly to the spot of the fatal
quarrell, and soon the announcement was heard along the street that "a
man had been killed."
It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The streets were filled with
people, some going to the matinee, some attending to business, some seeking
pleasure, while others were searching the cup of intoxicating joys.
Mat Amos, colored, and J.A. Reach, white, met at the corner of Main
and Ninth streets opposite the Phoenix hotel. A word or two passed, a blow
or two, a shot and the tragedy was over.
Reach was hurried off to jail. Crowds of people stood on the corners
discussing the matter. It was rumored that the negroes were mad with indignation
and threatened reach.
That night affairs became more quiet and the killing was little discussed.
Monday morning the court house yard was thronged with people to hear the
trial. It was postponed til 2 p.m. AT the appointed hour the City court
room was again filled to overflowing. Judge Brasher called the Court to
order. The attorneys for the prosecution entered a motion for a continuance
which was granted, and the case was set for Thursday morning at 9 o'clovk
Two versions of the killing are given by witnesses which cross each other
at right angles.
To do all parties justice we give both below.
Reach was standing on the street in front of Wilson's confectionary.
Amos approached him and accused him of reporting him (Amos) to the police
for shooting a fire cracker on the street. (It seems Amos had been arrested
a short time before for this offense.) Reach denied the charge, Amos called
him a G-d d-m liar. Reach still denied it. Amos then with a violent oath
again called him a liar. Reach had his hands in his pants pockets and Amos
was holding his (Reach's) left hand with his right. Reach again denied
it when Amos struck him and followed it up with another blow. Reach staggered
back, Amos pressing towards him. He then drew his revolver and fired. Amos
leaped high in the air and fell. The bullet pierced the body where the
third rib joins the breast bone. In eight minutes he was dead. Other witnesses
will testify that Reach walked up to Amos and opened an old grudge about
some work and without provocation drew his revolver and shot the colored
man dead. The dead man was an attache of Holland's Opera House. He ws a
good looking mulatto and was said to be about as full of grit as anybody.
He has figured in several fights. Witnesses will testify that just before
the killing he spoke of reach and said he was going to ship him. His step
father, Harrison Helm, came over from Columbia, Tenn.., Monday to take
the remains there for interment. Reach is also well known in this city.
He is a stone Mason, and several years ago was shot in a row by one Blizzard.
He has a wife and several children. It was rumored that he had figured
in several shootings scrapes but his friends claim he is a quiet, inoffensive
man. However, witnesses will testify that he had threatened Amos' life.
Saturday morning he had a row with Gus Breathitt in Wilson's confectionery
and was put out by the latter. It is said that he then attempted to draw
his pistol but was prevented. We have found it almost impossible to get
at the facts, but those given above will be about the line of evidence
developed in the trial. Hon. James Breathitt has been employed to assist
County Attorney Payne in the prosecution, while the defense is represented
by R.W. Henry.
Hokinsville New Era
Dec 1886
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