Sam Matthews, twenty-four, son of Mrs. U. S. Matthews, who lives in the Oleoak-Bethel community, five miles east of Glasgow, disappeared from his mother's home Thursday night about six o'clock, and has not been seen since. Parties, varying in number from twenty-five to two hunded, have searched almost continually day and night since young Matthews left home without finding the slightest trace of the missing man, who disappeared as completely as if the earth had opened and swallowed him. Many theories have been advanced regarding his disappearance, the principle one being suicide. Some believe, however, that Matthews may have been picked up by a passing car and carried out of the country or even the state. From the facts, as we gathered them from close friends of the family and his relatives, Matthews underwent an operation for appendicitis at the age of fourteen, which left him an invalid. He has never been very active since and at times, it is claimed he acted queer, giving rise to the belief by the family that his mind was not right. These facts have caused the family to keep him under survellance. Thursday night he stepped into an adjoining room, and after a few minutes some member of the family called to him and received no reply. On investigation revealed the fact that he had passed through the room and had left the outside door open. A No. 20 gauge shotgun and four shells were also missing. This alarmed the family who at once started a search, aided by nearby neighbors, who had been notified. About the time the search was started several persons heard the report of a gun, causing the belief that Matthews had ended his life. The direction from which the report was supposed to have come was searched but no sign of the missing man was found. An all night search was kept up with no results. The news of the disappearance spread and as it did, the number of searchers increased until they numbered, over two hundred, who searched day and night until forced to cease Sunday night, a majority of searchers being exhausted from fatigue and cold. Monday morning the search was resumed by some seventy-five who braved the zero weather to try and aid their neighbour, but without results. Tuesday some of the territory covered was gone over again, this time thecrowd walked abreast over hills, through woods and fields scanning every nook and corner. These thorough searches have convinced many that Matthews did not end his life as was first believed but had left that section, however, in his physical condition he could not have walked far, it is claimed. Some cling to the belief that he wandered out on the highway and was picked up by a motorist, not knowing his condition. Relatives issued circulars Monday, mailing them to towns and cities in this and adjoining states offering a reward of $50 for his return or information leading to his recovery. Sam Matthews is 24 years old, 5 ft 8 inches high, weighs about 115 pounds, black wavy hair, grey eyes, appears partially crossed at times, and walks erect. When he left home he wore a grey coat, tan shirt, blue pants and tan broad toed low-cut shoes. Judge V. H. Jones went out to the scene of the disappearance, and held a court of inquiry, to determine the reliability of a number of reports derogatory to the young man's character. All he could find was evidence that he had been mentally unbalanced for sometime. His mother saw a note he had written last Septemer, intimitating that the family was liable to see him no more, but after reading it she had returned it to his pocket, so could not produce it. Thinking perchance he had gone to his brother, Leonard, in New Castle, Ind., Sheriff Ed Matthews sent a telegram of inquiry but received a negative reply. the general conclusion seems to be that he was unbalanced and in some way took his own life.
Sam Matthews, 24, son of Mrs. U S Matthews, six miles east of here in the Oleoak-Bethel neighborhood, who disappeared from his mother's home Thursday evening, Dec. 30th about six o'clock, was found dead in what is known as the Boles or Foster Cave on Sam Wade's farm about a mile from his mother's home. The body was found by Mesrs. John Nelson, Milton Snyder and Calvin Rogers, who were searching for it, about 3:30 Monday afternoon. The body was about 250 feet from the entrance to the cave, and in order to reach that point it was necessary to crawl in mud all the way to his body. When the body was found the lower part was submerged in water and mud, and a gaping hole over the left eye showed how he met his death by his own hands. The shotgun which he carried from home was laying about six feet from the body, an empty shell in the gun, one on the ground by the gun, and the other two were in his pocket. In order to bring the body out it was necessary to strap it to a plank and sled it out. The body was brought here Monday night and prepared for burial which took place Tuesday at noon at the Boles burial ground in that section, after funeral services by Rev J. L. Piercy. The finding of Matthews' body ended a search of eleven days, in which every able-bodied person in that section, including many from here, took part, the number searching reaching 200 at times.The first few days the search was pushed night and day in zero weather. Circulars were issued offering $200 reward for information leading to the recovery of Matthews, $50 of which was offered by his brothers, and $150 raised by Rev. J. L. Piercy through citizens of that place. Instead of claiming the reward, as they were entitled, uner the terms of the offer, Messs. Nelson, Rogers and Snyder asked that the money be used to defray the expense of the burial, and if any remained to be given to the unfortunate man's mother. Messrs. Nelson, Snyder and Rogers left here at 1:15 p.m. and after locating the cave the finding of the body followed at about 3:30."
Unknown Glasgow KY paper, Deaths and Obituaries Volume 5, Gorin Genealogical Publishing, (c) Sept 1994
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