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.

The druggist stepped to the open aisle, and fired just as Mr. Oyer stepped into a side aisle between the counters. Then a shot was fired by the bandits, according to Kenney. The robbers fled hastily, with Kenney behind them. He then noticed the fallen clergyman, who had been caught in the cross-fire.

John Auerlocks, who lived above the pharmacy, said he heard two shots, supporting Keeney's story that the robbers had fired once. l Auerlock also saw the bandits fleeing. Two other witnesses, Nicholas Dystra, 12 years old, 1248 West 73d street, passing the store on a bicycle, and Floyd Bolton, 1116 West 90th street, in a car, pursued the men. They saw one enter a car parked in an alley, drive away, and later slow down for the second man, who was on foot behind him. One of the men carried a revolver.

Kenney had his shotgun, three revolvers, a pistol, and a rifle in the store to be prepared for holdups. He told the police he was an expert shot.

The clergyman was a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and the Northern Baptist Theological seminary. He was ordained 20 years ago. From 1907 to 1911, he served in British East Africa. Two years ago he founded the Southwest tabernacle. Surviving him are his widow, Adela, and his children.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Dec 16 p. 4