A Deadly Crime in Liberty Township

When: May 24, 1874, about 10:00

Where:

Liberty Twp. Near Weaver settlement Grant County, Indiana

What:

Ahab Mc Math was murdered by Daniel West, assisted by James Smith

Facts:

Both McMath and West were “keeping company” with neighbor girl Kate Jones

West had repeatedly threatened to kill McMath but had been disregarded.

On Sunday, May 24, the victim escorted Ms. Jones home from church, where he stayed until 10:00 p.m. After that, he started to return to “Old Man Stokes Place, “where he boarded.

In the meantime, James Smith and Daniel West met up. Smith later stated that West offered him $50.00 to help him kill McMath. He accepted the offer, and the two set off to commit the deed.

The two found McMath on the road about a quarter of a mile from the young lady’s house. West stabbed his victim three times. He and Jones then shot him three times.

They then loaded the body on a horse and took him to the farm of  Kate Jones’ brother, smearing their victim’s blood over the fence, hoping to shift blame from themselves.

From there, West “shouldered the body” and carried it north toward the Old Kokomo Road where he could hide it in a swamp.”

A search party looking for McMath found his body floating in a shallow pond. The coroner ruled that the victim “came to his death from violence at the hands of Daniel West and James Smith, with West being the principal actor.

The Trial:

Geo. Steele and G.W Harvey, Attorneys for the Defence, James Foster McDowell for the Prosecution

West and Smith were tried. West remained silent during the trial. Both were found guilty and given life sentences.

West and Smith petitioned for a second trial. The appellate court upheld them due to an irregularity in the indictment process. West was retried and found guilty. Smith was tried separately and found guilty. Smith served two years and was pardoned.

Daniel West served 18 years of his life sentence. He was pardoned in 1892.

Marion Chronicle ( Marion, Indiana)Thursday, June 04, 1874

Marion Chronicle ( Marion, Indiana) Fri, Nov 18, 1892 ·Page 7

Marion News-Tribune (Marion, Indiana) · Tue, Jul 22, 1902 · Page 1

West v. State Ind.483