Researching a Gun/Individual

Dan M · #1 09-26-2008, 07:26 AM

I drove out to Silver City yesterday to research the Sheriff who owned the 1926 44 HE BBQ gun. I was thinking piece of cake 8 hours in town I would be back home with more Info than I would ever need

I started with the Public Library and ended up at the Sheriff's Department. (should have started at the Sheriffs)
Well after going through 1934 microfiche (the Obit I had seen said his duty Dates began in 1934) I found Zero with my Sheriffs name. 1935 it warmed up. Turned out he wasnt actually the sheriff until 1935. He actually served as Sheriff 3 different Terms 1935 - 1938, 1943 - 1946, and 1953 - 1956. He was Sheriff or Under Sheriff for this entire Time period. I found an old deputy who had worked for Sheriff Mathews in the 50's and he had some great stories. And he knows of another deputy that was around in the 40's that is still alive. I am trying to get a meeting set up with him.

I was surprised at how much time one must invest to research a small project like this. and considering the Time span I have lots more research to do.

Is it worth it? I think so, as I will be going back and spending the weekend scouring the old newspapers on microfiche.

Here is a picture of Grant County NM Sheriff Owen C. "Slim" Mathews.

Dan

Dan M · #2 09-26-2008, 07:26 AM

I drove out to Silver City yesterday to research the Sheriff who owned the 1926 44 HE BBQ gun. I was thinking piece of cake 8 hours in town I would be back home with more Info than I would ever need

I started with the Public Library and ended up at the Sheriff's Department. (should have started at the Sheriffs)
Well after going through 1934 microfiche (the Obit I had seen said his duty Dates began in 1934) I found Zero with my Sheriffs name. 1935 it warmed up. Turned out he wasnt actually the sheriff until 1935. He actually served as Sheriff 3 different Terms 1935 - 1938, 1943 - 1946, and 1953 - 1956. He was Sheriff or Under Sheriff for this entire Time period. I found an old deputy who had worked for Sheriff Mathews in the 50's and he had some great stories. And he knows of another deputy that was around in the 40's that is still alive. I am trying to get a meeting set up with him.

I was surprised at how much time one must invest to research a small project like this. and considering the Time span I have lots more research to do.

Is it worth it? I think so, as I will be going back and spending the weekend scouring the old newspapers on microfiche.

Here is a picture of Grant County NM Sheriff Owen C. "Slim" Mathews.

Dan

j38 · #3 09-26-2008, 08:27 AM

Dan,

Thanks for the story of your hunt for information - and the results it has yielded so far. I wish I had more time to research a few of the guns in my collection - and find out about their past. It's a most enjoyable pastime - and worth passing along to the next lucky owner of a particular gun.

Jerry

Dan M · #4 09-26-2008, 09:18 AM

It is extremely interesting some of the articles and advertisements that are in those old papers.

Here is one that I thought was kind of funny, It was definately a different time than today.

JayCeeNC · #5 09-26-2008, 01:41 PM

Nice work, Dan. Research can be time consuming but rewarding. Hope you're documenting all you find for posterity.

Jellybean · #6 09-27-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Grant County NM Sheriff Owen C. "Slim" Mathews.

I found this obituary on-line, is it the same one you found?

Quote:

MATHEWS: Owen C. “Slim” Matthews, 79, retired, a resident of Grant County for 55 years, died at midnight Monday in Hillcrest General Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Matthews had a colorful career as sheriff of Grant County having served for the longest period of time of any sheriff in the county. Besides his career as a law enforcement officer, Mr. Matthews’ chief interests were mining and baseball, having come here from pitch for the Chino Mines Copper Company, now the Chino Mines Division of Kennecott Copper Corporation. He first ran for sheriff in 1934 and served in the sheriff’s department for a period of 12 years altogether. He had mining interests in the community and was a well-known sportsman, being instrumental in bringing many out-of-staters and friends here for the hunting seasons. Matthews was named to the state racing commission in 1947 after horse racing was legalized in 1946. He was a life member of the Stockdale, Tex., Masonic Lodge No. 470; a member of the First Baptist Church of Silver City; of the Silver City Elks Lodge No. 413 and a charter member of the New Mexico Sheriff and Police Association. Survivors of the deceased include his widow, Mrs. Loraine Matthews of Silver City; a son, Amos Matthews of Smelterville, Idaho, a daughter, Elizabeth Moore of Globe, Ariz.; and a grandson, Owen S. Moore from Globe. Family members have requested the omission of floral offerings, suggesting instead that contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Silver City in memory of Mr. Matthews. Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the Curtis Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Claude J. Williams officiating. Burial will be made in the Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Meyers, Owen S. Moore, A. R. Rhodes, Sam Stearrnan, Ralph H. Wright and Jesus Arciero.

Dan M · #7 09-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Hi JB,

Yep, Same one

thanks

Dan