C.J. Bythewood

1880-1882

Wharton County Sheriff

C.J. Blyhewood was appointed on December 11, 1880 and served until November 7, 1882. [from Texas County Sheriffs book.] In the election of 1882 a Perry Clark was elected on the 7th of November but only served 20 days and then resigned, At which time C.J.'s brother D.W. who was a dentist was appointed as Sheriff.

October 31, 1884 Galveston Daily News BAYOU CITY LOCALS FIVE YEARS FOR KILLING SHERIFF BYTHEWOOD The Criminal Court-Special To The News A VERDICT BROUGHT IN The jury in the case of James L. Mattison came in this morning with a verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree, with a penalty of five years in the penitentiary. Mattison was charged with the murder of Sheriff Bythewood, of Wharton county, on the 13th of last April The circumstances of the killing were about as follows: One month before the tragedy Bythewood and Mattison engaged in a game of cards, in the town of Wharton, in which a sum of money was involved, Bythewood slapped Mattisons face. At the time Mattison made no defense. On the day of the killing on a Sunday morning. Bythewood and friends, were in a saloon drinking, when Mattison entered under the influence of liquor. He swore that he could whip any d--m son of a b---h in Wharton. Bythewood said: "You, no doubt mean those words for me!" Mattison replied, "I do" Bythewood then attempted to get his pistol from under his vest, but was too slow. Mattison drawing his pistol and shooting Bythewood twice. Bythewood fell tot he floor and died almost instantly. The feeling against Mattison was very strong at the time of the bloody affair, lynching being freely talked of. Owing to this feeling a chance of venue was taken with the result above stated. Mattisons counsel will make a motion for a new trial. The wife of the convicted man was with him when the verdict was brought in. She accompanied him to jail. Both are young people.

April 11, 1885 Galveston Daily News TAKEN TO HUNTSVILLE James Mattison was taken to the Huntsville penitentiary yesterday evening, where he will serve out a five year sentence. On the 18th of last April Mattison shot and killed Sheriff Charles Bythewood, of Wharton County. When he killed Bythewood he fled across a bridge, followed by a posse. His wife, a woman of about 18 years, confronted the pursuing officers with a six-shooter, giving her husband time to escape. He was arrested that night. Fearing that he would get a fair trial in Wharton county, Mattison secured a change of venue and was tried here, receiving a penalty of five years. He took an appeal to the Court of Appeals where a verdict of the lower court was sustained. When he was about to be taken away yesterday evening by an officer the scene of parting between Mattison and his wife was very affecting. After her husbands incarceration here, and his money had melted away, the courageous woman went to work in the Hutchins house and earned money with which to purchase comforts for him, thereby proving herself a true wife and a woman possessed of a noble heart.

This page researched and written by Janet Barrett Hobizal in June 2007,2017

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