$(document).ready(function() {
        $('#matters-table').DataTable({
            columns: [
                { data: "0" },
                { data: "1" },
                { data: "Status" }, // is capitalized when rendered
                { data: "3" }
            ],
            columnDefs: [
                {"targets":2,"render": function(data) {
                    return data[0].toUpperCase() + data.slice(1);
                }}
            ],
            data: mattsText,
            ... // --------------- irrelevant info.