Looking for info on gr-grandfather. Supposedly convicted & executed for a murder sometime in the 1930's(?). Last name Matura. Spoke German possibly Bohemian. Lived in O'Brien. Son was Willie (Bill) Joe Matura. Gr-sons are Bill D., Dwayne R. and Jack W. Matura - all born in O'Brien area. Any info would be greatly appreciated. proselle@attbi.com

He and a friend got drunk and beat up an elderly lady. He was executed in 1936. I have been reading about the case in old issues of the Haskell Free Press.

Thank you so much for your reply. I've found out quite a bit about him in the last couple of months. Seems this wasn't his only murder. You may already know, but he also killed his brother and a friend then buried them. He also served time for yet another murder besides these 3 and supposedly killed a man he had hired as a driver. The man wrecked the car, so he killed and buried him, too. I'm told he never served time for that. Can you get copies of the articles you've read? I'd gladly pay you for the copies and your trouble. Please let me know.......Thank you, Paulette
P.S. How did you happen across the Matura story? Maybe you're a relative?.......Thanks again.

Paulette, I just happened to be reading old copies of the Haskell Free Press, looking for info on my family, who lived in Haskell. I will go back and see if I can locate an article or two from that trial and copy for you. Give me a little time, as I didn't make a note of the exact date and will have to backtrack a little. Sounds to me like some of your ancestors were about as onery as mine. Michael Thomason, Palestine Texas

Well, I guess there's at least one in every family (sometimes more)! I really appreciate you taking the time to look up those articles for me. Take your time. Both my parents are from the Haskell area. My dad, Jack Matura was from O'Brien and my mom, Julia Harris is from Rochester. My sister and I spent many summers around there visiting my dad. Did you grow up there or was it your parents? You know, I read in a book (The Rope, The Chair and The Needle) that my g-grandfather was the oldest man ever to be electrocuted in the state of Texas. He said a man offered him all the whiskey and beer he could drink if he'd "knock the sh** out of that old bi*** with a hammer". He must have been pretty darn thirsty. He was executed at the age of 67. My grandmother (mother's side) remembers reading a True Crime type magazine that had the whole story in it. I e-mailed several magazines about possibly getting a copy, but with no specific issue date I haven't had much luck. I won't keep you any longer. Thanks again for your help!................Paulette

I am still reading in the approximate time frame on the microfilm of the Haskell Free Press. I will find the articles. I do remember that the other fellow was sentenced to death after Matura, but got a retrial and was sentenced to life. I remember the details of the testimony. It was pretty much the same as you related. I remember too something about Matura having a thick accent. You got me all interested in looking this up again!

My family moved to Haskell in 1900. They all drifted off thru the years. My great aunt Edna Ham Thomason passed away in Haskell in 64. My grandfather JA Thomason went to eighth grade in Haskell then ran away from home in 1905 and joined the Army. His brothers George and Young L. Thomason were lawyers in Haskell and defended several murder cases. I read account of Matura thinking they might have been involved, but weren't. I have never visited Haskell, but most of my family is buried there, in Willow Cemetery. I live in Palestine, over in east Texas.

Seems I recall too that one of the accused readily admitted killing the old lady, and was remorseful and wanted to tell everyone how sorry he was, and that he was dead drunk at the time. I think this was Matura talking.

I'll be in touch.

Mike Thomason, Palestine.

EMAIL me at msthomason@yahoo.com. I looked up a couple of articles to send you on Matura. Tell me where to send them.

Michael Thomason

I know of the case. In fact my father-in-law was a good friend of you dad's. Your brothers still come out here hunting. I believe I met you before. Let me know if you need some legwork out here in Haskell Co

Well, hello! Thanks for your reply. Actually, my uncles Bill Dodd and Dwayne still go there to hunt. My dad was their brother, Jack Matura. I noticed your last name is Benton. Any kin to Jimmy and Maybelle Benton of Haskell? I will try to remember their kids' names...James, Penny, Ben and there was a younger son whose name I can't remember. My dad and Jimmy were friends for years. I can remember going to their house and playing with their kids. If I'm not mistaken, they once lived in Cleburne, TX many years ago. E-mail me back when you get a chance!! proselle@attbi.com

HELLO, I'M JOE MATURA, SON OF ADOLPH R MATURA. CHECK WITH BILL DODD MATURA IN EDGEWOOD TEXAS OR DWAYNE RAY MATURA IN EDGEWOOD. THEY HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF CLEMENTE CONSTANINOPLE MATURA . ARE YOU THE DAUGHTER OF JACK MATURA?---JOE