Oyer, Amos (1882-1931)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Dec 9 p. 1

Birth date: 1882 Jan 19

text of obituary:

Rev. Oyer of Chicago Victim of a Tragedy.

To the report of the tragic death of Rev. Amos Oyer, pastor of the Southwest Gospel Tabernacle of Chcago, last Wednesday evening, John T. Neufeld, correspondent of the Review, adds the following statement:

"The details of the Tribune article are about as set forth. Mr. Oyer was supported by the Defenseless Mennonite conference, the branch was generally know as the Eagly branch. Services will be held tomorrow afternoon (December 4) in the Tabernacle and the body shipped to Ohio. I presume Lima, or in that vicinity, as he death is taken from the Chicago Tribune.

The following report of Rev. Oyer's deth is taken from the Chicago Tribune.

The Rev. Amos Oyer, pastor of the Southwest Gospel tabernacle, 1217 West 72nd street, was shot and killed last night (Dec. 2) when he was trapped in the crossfire of a battle between two robbers and a druggist in his drug store at 7200 South Racine avenue.

Mr. Oyer, a former missionary to East Africa, was 49 years old, married, and the father of five children. He lived at 7017 Ada street. He wasa Mennonite.

Charles W. Kenney of 8140 South Paulina street, owner of the pharmacy, fired one charge from a shotgun at the holdup men, and one of them, he says, fired one shot from a revolver. Police determined that the pastor had been struck by the charge from Kenney's shotgun, when they examined the slain man's body and found a large wound in his chest, caused by eleven pellets.

The Re.v Mr. Oyer was on his way to church to take care of the furnace when he stopped in Kenney's pharmacy for a soda. he sat at the fountain and the druggist retired to the rear room to fill a prescription.

Two men entered. Kenney did not see them, but he heard their voices. One of them shoved the clergyman from his chair, remarked to his companion, "A reverend." The bandit then ordered in a loud voice, "Stick 'em up and get in the rear; this is a holdup."

Kenney looked out and saw the two robbers, only one of whom appeared to be armed, forcing the Rev. Mr. Oyer toward the rear. The druggist backed up, still unseen and grabbed his shotgun.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Dec 16 p. 4