The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-31
L0RRBLE CONFESSION OF A MURDERER.
Elton Jones, Tie Murderer Of Joseph 3. Miller,
(RnD AT THE srprKxBxR TERN OF raE wAsAan
CIRCUIT COURT, AND HUNG OCT. ii, 1850.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC
In presenting the following pages to the public,
I'm enabled to say, that they contain the last and
bnly true confession Of Milton Jones, for the muir
Ter of Joseph r.. Miller. This confession 10 given
aithfully and truly from the pen and mouth OF the
prisoner, a short time before his execution, which
ook place at Mt. Carmel, Wabash CO, H., on
be l1th October, 1850.
ed me TO give to the world II will be seen by the
sader, places the murder at the top of the calen-
dar Of crimes-it 10 one shocking and abhorent to
nature: and such as is usually punished With
with surprise and horror, and thrill OF awe per-
vades our feelings as we Took upon being be airing
kbe " human form divine, who could in the black
ness of his heart, and in cold FLOODED, calculating
depravity, cruelty murder his best friend for a
few dollars. At whatever time he may first have
conceived the iendish purpose, hisperseverance in
continuing to strike his friend, while that friend,
whitening in ag0ny,as pteousy begging his life pre-
sents a scene too horrible to dwell upon.
The prisoner says that he could have given fal!
history of his life, from his youth up the present
and of no benefit to any one, and ouly calculated
20 distress his connection and friends, he would de-
sist. g. w. LINaENFgLrEs, Tailor.
THE CONFESSION.
In a few days, at the farthest shall be sum.
moned before the bar of the Great Judge of all the
earth, there to give full and true account of the
almost unparalleled sins of which am guilty
that Of murder and declaring, in the presence of
o
true God for the truth OF that declaration. eau
make no atonement to my fellow men for the
awful crige with which stand charged, and in
complying with the terrible mandate of the law,
can but beg their forgiveness, and trust in merci
full Redeemer, who pardoned the thief upon the
cross, and said that His blood is sufii ,iennt to
wash, white as snow, the viest sinner, who would
repent and call upon Him for forgiveness, will
enable me TO reach another and Q better world,
where crime and suffering will forever be
known. To conceal from the world true confess
nlA h1 karA
one else but TO give ii, may prove warning all
those whe permit avariec to override their moral
principles and better Judgment.
was horn on the 9th day or July, 1928, in the
county of Glouceste in the State of Virginia In
1883. my father moved with his family to Coles
county, Illinois, where we continued to reside until
March, 1883, sen my mother died, and my father
returned with his family TO Virginia, and married
again: In 1910, myself, brother, and sister, were
introduced TO stepmoiher. Here was the COM
mence nlent of trouble, and the cause Of more
have, at so early period of nay life, brought me to
shameful aad iguominious de ith. My stepmo-
tAer was all but what she shsuld have been-cruel
and codheartcd, exhibiting less sympathy at time
OF sickness and pain, than q stranger would have
| done; and in time ct health, treating me worse
than one of the slaves upon the plantation thus
forcing me, In some measure, to Practice deceit and
In iS4S left my home, in vrgina, alone, to re-
turn to Coles county, ILL.,, but when arrived at
Cincinnati, concluded to stay there, and OBJ
taincu employment. on clerk store
of Me. Forbush. However, we could not agree,
and l. concluded TO continue my journey to
Charleston. Before leaving my employer at Gin
cinnati, my avarcious disposition prompted me to
eteal watch, which, at the time, thought was
cold but which proved 10 be only brass. Mr.
Forblsh made tne discovery taat had stolen the
watch, and sent to Charleston for the pay for it,
was very glad TO get of in this way-to0k a
receipt in the presence of a witness, so that
might not be prosecuted for stealing. | arrived in
Charleston, and was received with open arms by
my, friends; introduced into the best compldy.
and every attention shown me that could have been
expected, by son Of one of the most intiuenfi Al
citizens Of the place. was DESTROYS of retaining
the good opinloa OF the cizeus cf Charleston.
which my hrst tIoductlon had procured me, and
in order TO do so, was careful 10 let them kaow
that was a member of the Christian church;
Joined the sons OF temperance while there; and,
indeed, done every thing 10 my power 10 Obtain the
character OF religious young man. NotwIth
standing all this, | was guilty Of GONE crimes
which, have since lehrned.' some of my former
friends could Dot hello snTpcioaing rne. It's not
niece ssafy for me TO ennintrafe those crimes. the
p~cp.e Of Charleston will know sia, and pray
they will now try 10 forgive me.
Monday moraing. May 7th, 1919 i left Charles
ton, Coles county, illanS, en ron.e tor Richmoad,
Va, by way OF Louisvillc. Ky, ia company with
my esieemed friend, Mr.. Joseph II. Miller, who |
accompanied more for his accommodation than my
own convenience, for mad eaQaged my seat in the
stage, and should have pursusd my journey Ia thai
menEcr. had IL not been for my friends earnest
solicitation 10 resign IL, and tgke seat in his
buggy, As had, at this time, no evil d-sga In
view, ! made no preparation tn complete the
dreadful tragedy. OF which this is true con,es-
sioa. IL is rar, had in my possession a cane
gun, but | tired repeatedly TO sell 1t before
STATED on my journey. Il is also true, that this
weapon was loaded, vi hen myself aud friend left
Charleston, bat il was a mere happen so, It beilg
load that had been put Ia IL the last time used
N. which was some time previous. We reached
Martinsville the first day of our travel early ia
the evening, and there put up. After supper we
walked TO covered bridge, some distance on, of
town, and on the roid, near the bridge, shot
blachbird with the load that was 10 my caae-gun
when LETT Charleston, which was all the annual
ton that | had.
Tuesday morning, while crossing prairie, after
leaving MafinsyliIe, we saw some game near the
road side, and Nc. Miller asked me 10 jump ont Ut
the buggy ard shoot IL / thea told him my
gun loaded, and that had more am
muDiion. Hc asked me fit would shoot balls with
any de cree of accuracy. re piled, that when they
hit, IL shot them very we'll. lie then offered me
about a dozen balls; but among them were only
five that would nj my cane. took the I'VE bale,
ana as soon ssit was convenient, loaded my cane
with one of the balls and powder which Mr.. Md
Der gave rae; and that evening shst a bird with
thai load
evening. where we put up, aud after supper walked
some DIST snce OF town. and did not return until
erndle lighting, and retired To rest soon alter. Upon
waking the foliowiag norning, "Wednesday. Mr..
Miller requested 20 have the horse attended 10,
which ! dd, end he did not rise until near break
fast time. | washed and got ready for breakfast,
cad psrceiving that Il would not soon be ready,
took my cane and walked short distance back OF
a tan yard, foe no other than the very harmless
purpose Of Obeyug the calls Of nature, and While
there, CHANGED to lind switch, which thought
would answer the purpose OF rsmrod. then
loaded my cane, aud picked up piece of leather
shaving, from among the Trash, and put Il on the
ball. but forgot 20 wet n, so hat when attempted
20 ram down the ball, Il stuck fast about half way
down toe barrel and the switch proving too weak
60 force il down, dropped IL and returned to the
tavern. and informed Mr.. Miller how had render
ed my gun useless. lie advised me 70 go to a
sn,th shop and have u rammed down. took hts
advice, and pail the smith five cents for ramming
II down.
While crossing large bottom Of bad road, be-
tween Palestine and Russeiville, j, as usual, upon
e.ining 10 baa road, got oug OF the buggy to walk.
While WALKING. saw squirrel, which ran mp
tire, and sbot at IL, hut missed q. dad not load
sgaia until got to Russelville; and in the shop,