Print Matthews facts for kids

John Prentiss "Print" Matthews (born August 27, 1840 – died November 6, 1883) was an American sheriff. He was also a social reformer during the Reconstruction era. This was a time after the American Civil War. Print Matthews was a strong supporter of Black people's rights in Copiah County, Mississippi. He was tragically killed while voting in 1883. This happened after he refused to obey local white leaders who told him not to vote.

Print Matthews: Early Life

Print Matthews was born on August 27, 1840. His birthplace was near Hazlehurst, Mississippi, which is in Copiah County. He was best known by his nickname, "Print."

Standing Up for What's Right

Print Matthews came from a wealthy family. They owned 35 slaves. However, Print Matthews supported the Union during the American Civil War. Most white people in his area supported the Confederacy.

After the war, Matthews opened a store. He was also elected as the county sheriff. In 1875, the Democrats regained power in the state government. Matthews then helped create the Independent Party in Copiah County. This party included both Black and white farmers.

By 1881, Democrats started using intimidation tactics. They would ride at night to scare Black voters. They tried to stop them from voting. Print Matthews lost his re-election bid by 84 votes. Democrats claimed a mule ate all the ballots from a precinct that mostly supported Matthews.

In 1883, the intimidation grew worse. A Black church was burned. A Black husband and wife were murdered on October 26. The riders ordered voters not to vote for the Independent Party. Many Black people and some white people even slept in the woods before the election. They were afraid of more threats.

His Tragic Death

White Democratic leaders in Hazlehurst sent Print Matthews a written order. It told him not to vote. But Matthews decided to vote anyway. At the polls, the precinct captain, a white farmer named Erastus Benjamin Wheeler, shot and killed Matthews. Wheeler used a double-barreled shotgun.

The evening after Matthews was killed, his political enemies gathered. They were part of a group called the "Trail-Hold Club." They met in his yard. They made fun of and celebrated the killing. A large meeting later decided that the Matthews family "shall keep out of politics in Copiah county." Some even talked about Wheeler running for governor. Wheeler was later elected marshal of Hazlehurst. The person who helped bury Matthews was threatened and left town. The Matthews family also left, though some members later returned.

The Trial of Erastus Wheeler

After a special investigation, Wheeler was put on trial in May 1884. The New York Times newspaper covered the trial. The jury was made up of only white people. They quickly found Wheeler not guilty. This pleased the judge and the community. The jury stated that if there was an "error," it was "one of the head, and not of the heart."

A merchant named J.T. Dameron testified. He said he saw Ras Wheeler in Jackson, Mississippi. Wheeler was talking quietly. Dameron heard him say, "I killed Print Matthews, or rather it was the Democratic party that did it. If it had not been for politics, I would not have done it; but it was politics that did it."

Ras Wheeler went on to have a successful political career in the state.

His Family's Legacy

Print Matthews was survived by his wife, Mary "Tine" Barlow. They had married on June 6, 1862. Their son, John Prentiss Matthews, Jr., continued his father's beliefs. He became a leader in Republican politics. President Benjamin Harrison made him postmaster of a town far away, Carrollton, Mississippi. On Christmas Day, 1890, local Democrats shot the 22-year-old dead.

Another son, Simon Matthews, became an activist in the People's Party in the 1890s. During this time, a group of Black and white people worked together. They temporarily won some elections, defeating the Democrats.