Shelby Once Celebrated a Murder Verdict with Bonfires and Explosions

In 1891, the most sensational murder trial ever held in Cleveland County was the case of the “Motz Boys,” four brothers from Lincolnton accused of killing their cousin, Sam Motz. Their sister, Margie Motz, had been involved with a young man named Robert Michael and became pregnant under what she claimed was a promise of marriage. When Michael did not marry her, the brothers decided he deserved to be killed. Their cousin Sam, who was close friends with Michael, agreed to drive him to a secluded spot where the brothers were waiting.

When the ambush took place, all four brothers fired their guns. Three shots missed, but one bullet struck and killed Sam Motz instead of Robert Michael. The brothers were arrested and jailed in Shelby, and because feelings in Lincoln County were so intense, the trial was moved to Cleveland County. The trial lasted more than a week and drew huge crowds, with much of the public openly sympathetic to the brothers.

The jury returned a verdict of “not guilty,” not because the killing was denied, but because it could not be proven which brother fired the fatal shot. When the verdict was announced, Shelby erupted in celebration. Bonfires were built around the town square, and since there was no cannon, people filled an anvil with gunpowder and fired it repeatedly throughout the night in what was described as the biggest celebration the town had ever seen.
Source: Mamie Jones