On the night of Tuesday, November 21, 1882, Captain Martin Villar walked through the door of the Half Way House saloon, which sat on the waterfront in downtown Pensacola. Before long, Villar ended up trading sharp words with Thomas “James” Glennon. When Villar called Glennon a “sailor thief,” the fight began. In the lantern-lit shadow, Glennon lunged forward, driving his hand low and hard into Villar’s abdomen. Villar staggered backward, clutching his belly. “I am stabbed,” he gasped.
Blood flooded through Villar’s trousers. Companions rushed the wounded pilot west along the dark dirt path of Zaragoza Street to the boarding house of Mrs. Melissa King.
On Sunday, November 26, Villar was carried to his brother Manuel’s home, where he dictated a formal dying declaration naming Glennon as the man who cut him down. The following morning, Captain Villar died.
Glennon was indicted for murder, and the trial opened in Circuit Court in December. Defended by prominent attorneys Stephen R. Mallory Jr. and William A. Blount, the defense aggressively hammered the contradictions of a dark, alcohol-fueled saloon brawl: witness Captain Victor Lyle swore he saw a knife passed to Glennon, while others testified Glennon struck with an empty hand and acted in self-defense against a larger, aggressive pilot.
On December 26, 1882—the day after Christmas—the jury took the case. They deliberated for just thirty minutes before returning their verdict: Not Guilty.
James Glennon walked out of the courthouse a free man. The citizens of the city were surprised beyond words, and as angry as a stepped-on hornet. But it didn’t end there.
Come for the tour to hear the dramatic second half. Sign up for the tour next Saturday, October 10, at 4:00 PM. For tickets, go to https://www.viator.com/tours/Pensacola/Crimes-Around-the-Plaza-Walking-Tour/d23182-5672792P1
- Tour: Sweet Tea Murders Historic Walking Tour; Five cases, including the complete Villar stabbing.
- Departs: Every Saturday at 4:00 PM from Bodacious, 407 South Palafox Street
- Reservations: Space is strictly capped at 15 walkers per group to keep each debrief personal. Reserve your tickets online at sweetteamurders.com.
Discover more from Sweet Tea Murders
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.