In Belleville, Illinois 20-year-old Philip Mathews and 21-year-old Annie Geyer grew up together and would eventually become a couple. Annie's family seemed to have become upper class while Philip's stayed middle class. Philip seemed to have "become one of the boys" as Annie's lady friends would term it. He seemed to have spent his time at billiard halls, barrooms, and sporting resorts. The two were engaged, but Annie wasn't happy in the relationship.
In early 1882 Annie had broken off the engagement and returned the ring to him. She would then move on from Philip. Around May it was reported that Annie was to marry another. This would displease Philip. He would on more than one occasion tell her she would marry him or nobody. Philip was planning to kill her.
On May 28, 1882, Philip and his friends to a stroll in a grove in the suburbs in Belleville. He would encounter Annie and several of her friends who were teachers or scholars at the Sunday School. The ladies went there to see the condition of the groves and see if it was good enough for a picnic the next day.
Philip would then come up to Annie. The two would talk, but Annie seemed scared and wanted to avoid him. Those around did not see anything to be alarmed of from how he was acting, but Annie knew different. The two would walk a few feet from the group.
Philip would ask her if it was true she was getting married. Annie would answer and it would anger him. He would suddenly pull a revolver out of his pocket and would shoot Annie with it. Philip would run as soon as he shot and Annie would scream take two steps and die. He would soon turn himself into the police station.
Philip would be protected from a lynching mob, but his fate would be the same. He would be convicted of the murder and set to hang on Jan. 12, 1883. His last words were "I wish you all goodbye."
SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri pg 8
The Inter Ocean Jan 13 1883
The Daily Review Jan 14, 1883
Nashville Banner Jan 11, 1883
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