Name: Herman and Mae Matthews
Residence: Route 1, Glasgow, Highway 68-80
Murdered: Wednesday 6 May 1981, residence
€œElderly couple fatally shot in robbery. By Joel Wilson, Times Staff Writer.
€œA well-known Glasgow businessman and his wife were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon, apparently the victims of robbery-murder.
76 year old Herman Matthews and his 64 year old wife Mae were both shot and killed at their home on Route 1, Glasgow (Highway 68-80) sometime between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The body of Matthews, a well-know scrap metals dealer was found in a garage building located next to the couples new brick home. His wife’s body was found in the living room of the home. Both had been shot at least twice with a small-caliber weapon according to police reports. The Matthews had been living in semi-retirement at their Route 1 address for the past few years. He formerly operated a wrecking and scrap yard in Glasgow.
The bodies of both Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have been taken to the University of Louisville Hospital for a post-mortem. Barren County Coroner Bob Hunt said Thursday that he expected to have a preliminary report by early afternoon as to how many times each had been shot and a report on the suspected weapon.
The body of Matthews was found by Charles Medley, a customer of Matthews who had come to Matthews’ shop to sell some scrap metals. According to Sheriff J. B. Key who is investigating along with State Police, Medley had talked with Mrs. Matthews on the telephone about 4:30 p.m. and had inquired about selling some old radiators.
Medley told Key and other investigators that he arrived around 5:30 and found the body of Matthews in the shop. He said he rang the doorbell at the nearby Matthews residence several times but did not get an answer.
Key said Medley then went to the home of his brother, Gary Medley, who lives nearby, and telephoned the Barren County Ambulance Service with Matthews. Key then went to the house and discovered the body of Mrs. Matthews in the living room.
The Sheriff said that the back door of the residence had been forced open.
Key said officers believe that the killers came to the shop with the intention of robbing Matthews and shot the elderly businessman, maybe after he resisted the robbery. Key said a hammer was found near the body and said it was possible that Matthews had picked up the hammer to scare off his assailants.
Key said officers then theorized that Mrs. Matthews, who was in the house, heard the commotion, and went to investigate. The Sheriff said that the assailants probably saw Mrs. Matthews and she saw them. Key said that officers believe Mrs Matthews returned through the back door and locked it behind her. He said that the door had apparently been kicked down.
Mrs. Matthews shoes were found, one in the kitchen and the other in a hallway. Key said that she was shot at the front door where she was apparently trying to escape the assailant.
It was later learned that Mrs. Matthews had also talked on the telephone with one of her daughters, Mrs. Louise Vance, shortly after 4 p.m., setting the time of the attack between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Key said that Matthews’ wallet and Mrs Matthews’ purse were both missing. A cousin of Matthews who was at the scene Wednesday said that Matthews had a reputation of carrying large sums of money in his billfold.
Although retired, Matthews continued to dabble in scrap metals, buying old copper wiring and other such items.
Key said the officers had been given the descriptions of several vehicles seen in the area during the day and a hitchhiker was also reported to have been seen in the area. A hitchhiker was arrested in Alabama Wednesday night and is being questioned in connection with the incident according to Key.
The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews will be returned to the A. F. Crow and Son Funeral Home.
They are survived by four children, Mrs. Vance, Glasgow, and Mrs Jean Decker, LaGrange; Bill Matthews, of Bowling Green and Doug Matthews of Nashville. He is survived additionally by a daughter, Mrs. Edna Ruth Hendricks, of Louisville, by a brother, Dr. Howard T. Matthews, Columbia, by eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Matthews is survived additionally by a brother, Stanley Dearing, Louisville, by nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.â€
Funeral arrangements are incomplete but under the direction of A. F. Crow and Son Funeral Home.
[Several photographs]
Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, from the files of Dora Bennett.
Glasgow Municipal Cemetery
Herman C. Matthews
23 July 1904 – 6 May 1981
Mae Dearing Matthews
23 May 1916 – 6 May 1981
On same stone with Herman C
Married Sept 10, 1932 |
