Deputy Collector Stephen D. Mather

Stephen D. Mather

Deputy Collector Mather, Revenue Agent Creed Cardwell, and Chief Deputy Revenue Collector Joe Spurrier were shot and killed in an ambush in Lincoln County, Tennessee, while en route to investigate reports of an illegal liquor still.

They were ambushed as they were riding their horses down a remote trail. The agents were able to return fire, and one of the suspects was also shot and killed.

Deputy Collector Mather was killed at the scene. Other agents were able to take the two wounded agents to a local doctor, where Agent Cardwell died later in the day. Chief Deputy Spurrier was taken to his home in Nashville, where he succumbed to his wounds three weeks later.

Deputy Collector Mather had served with the United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue for ten years and was survived by his wife and daughter.