Most Southern Arizonans know the story of Eva Dugan. She was hired as a housekeeper by A.J. Mathis and was later convicted of his murder.
While the story is thrilling enough, it is her demise that lifts it to spectacular status. She was the only woman executed by hanging, but many say she died by decapitation because as the trap was sprung, the rope severed her head.
Read all about the murder, trial and execution in the eBook, Bad Girls of Arizona: Eva Dugan.
Arizona's method of execution was changed not long after Dugan's grisly death.
Soon after Dugan's execution, the county attorney received a letter from a woman claiming to be Mathis's widow. As Mathis was said to be wealthy and because the trial and execution garnered national attention, this was expected to be the first of many widows and other relatives to make the claim.
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From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, March 5, 1930:
WOMAN SEEKING DOPE ON MATHIS
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Believes She May Be Widow Of Rancher Who Was Slain Here
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The first of what will probably be a series of inevitable concomitants following the execution of Eva Dugan came to the office of the county attorney yesterday in the form of the letter appended below. This missive purports to be from a Mrs. A. J. Mathis, left by her husband in the last century. The abandoned wife, having read of Mathis' murder and the consequent news items attendant upon the capture, trial, conviction and recent execution of Eva Dugan, now wishes County Attorney Claude Smith to aid her in identifying the murdered man as her long-lost husband.
Ham Wachter, administrator of Mathis' estate, stated yesterday that he knew of a former marriage of Mathis. The first wife lived in Oklahoma, however, Wachter stated. Wachter also stated that, since Mathis' death a number of claimants to his estate have corresponded with him. Wachter said that he would endeavor to obtain the letter from Smith that it might be send to Mathis' daughter in an effort to straighten out this new phase of the tangled skein of the murdered man's life. The letter follows:
Louisville, O., Feb. 27, 1930.
Prosecuting Attorney of Tucson, Arizona; Pima County.
Dear Sir:
In reading the local paper several weeks ago we find that you have listed a man by the name of A. J. Mathis or did have up until the time of the murder, which took place in January, 1927. We would like any information at all concerning same, as my husband of the same initials, name Andrew Jackson Mathis, left our home in Pittsburgh, Pa., where we were living at that time (1893 he left), and last heard was living in Alabama, having intentions of heading west. Since then we have not heard anything concerning him up until the time of the murder. About 1894 was the date of heading west.
Our marriage took place in the year 1884—April 22—in Pittsburgh, Pa. I can bring forth proof of all I have stated, and also marriage license and photographs of him at the age of 25 or thereabouts. His age about now would be 70 or 71 years. May we hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience?
Thanking you in advance, I am,
Respectfully yours,
MRS. A. J. MATHIS,
215 North Mill Street,
Louisville, Ohio.
One might expect that there were a few people who hoped to get in on the action of Mathis's estate. It probably took a while before it was sorted and sold or distributed. The Morgue Lady doesn't know of this Mrs. Mathis became a beneficiary.
