Editing Robert Jay Mathews
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Mathews was born in Marfa, Texas on January 16, 1953, the youngest of three boys born to Johnny and Una Mathews. His father, of Scottish descent, was mayor of the town, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as a businessman and leader for the local Methodist church. His mother was the town's Cub Scout den mother. | Mathews was born in Marfa, Texas on January 16, 1953, the youngest of three boys born to Johnny and Una Mathews. His father, of Scottish descent, was mayor of the town, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as a businessman and leader for the local Methodist church. His mother was the town's Cub Scout den mother. | ||
The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Though he was an average student in grade school, history and politics interested him. At age 11, he joined the [[John Birch Society]], a radical right-wing advocacy group supporting anti-communism and limited government. Matthews was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a high schooler. | The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Though he was an average student in grade school, history and politics interested him. At age 11, he joined the [[John Birch Society]], a radical right-wing advocacy group supporting anti-[[communism]] and limited government. Matthews was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a high schooler. | ||
Mathews formed the "Sons of Liberty," an anti-communist militia mostly made up of Mormon survivalists. At its peak, it had approximately 30 members. After filling out his employer's W-4 Form claiming ten dependents, reportedly as an act of tax resistance, he was arrested for tax fraud, tried, and placed on probation for six months. After a falling out between the Mormon and non-Mormon members of the Sons of Liberty, the organization stagnated and Mathews withdrew from it. | Mathews formed the "Sons of Liberty," an anti-communist militia mostly made up of Mormon survivalists. At its peak, it had approximately 30 members. After filling out his employer's W-4 Form claiming ten dependents, reportedly as an act of tax resistance, he was arrested for tax fraud, tried, and placed on probation for six months. After a falling out between the Mormon and non-Mormon members of the Sons of Liberty, the organization stagnated and Mathews withdrew from it. | ||
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Mathews and Debbie McGarity were married in 1976. He raised Scottish Galloway cattle. He and Debbie McGarity adopted a son in 1981. Mathews later had a biological daughter with his mistress, Zillah Craig. | Mathews and Debbie McGarity were married in 1976. He raised Scottish Galloway cattle. He and Debbie McGarity adopted a son in 1981. Mathews later had a biological daughter with his mistress, Zillah Craig. | ||
== White supremacy and The Order == | == White supremacy and The Order == | ||
Mathews was an avid supporter of White Supremacy and a member of the [[National Alliance]], who he attempted to recruit people for. He was also a fan of ''The Turner Diaries'' by National Alliance founder [[William Luther Pierce | Mathews was an avid supporter of White Supremacy and a member of the [[National Alliance]], who he attempted to recruit people for. He was also a fan of ''The Turner Diaries'' by National Alliance founder [[William Luther Pierce]]. Β | ||
In September 1983, Mathews and several members of the [[Aryan Nations]] formed an insurgent group known as The Order influenced by ''The Turner Diaries''. Mathew's first plan was to carry out robberies in order to get money to fund white separatist groups. As a result, Mathews and the other members robbed several armoured cars and pornography shops. However, when one member was arrested for counterfeiting, The Order were forced to commit various robberies to pay his bail, resulting in another member being arrested. | In September 1983, Mathews and several members of the [[Aryan Nations]] formed an insurgent group known as The Order influenced by ''The Turner Diaries''. Mathew's first plan was to carry out robberies in order to get money to fund white separatist groups. As a result, Mathews and the other members robbed several armoured cars and pornography shops. However, when one member was arrested for counterfeiting, The Order were forced to commit various robberies to pay his bail, resulting in another member being arrested. | ||