Chief of Police James H. Mathews

James H. Mathews

Chief James Mathews was shot and killed in a gunfight with three men after they escaped from officers who had arrested them for causing a disturbance at a local carnival.

Chief Mathews formed a posse and overtook the suspects one mile north of Walnut Cove. A summons to surrender was met with gun fire. Chief Mathews was shot through the heart but was able to return fire killing one of the suspects and seriously wounding another. The third suspect was captured a short time later.