The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-13
THE MURDER OF SAMUEL ]. JONES.
The Examination OF Has Half Brother,
Thomas w. Jones.


Thomas w. Jones.
The examination OF Thomas w. Jones, on the
charge OF numbering his half brother Samuel J.
jones' at South oyster Bay. In June last, was con-
tnued yesterday, before Justice Snedeker, at ia
maica. The attendance was not so large as on the
previous days OF the examination, probably from
the lact that the impression is growing that
Detective Payne has not thus lar made
so good case as the public were led
TO expect. Admiral Meancthon Smith and Jack
Jones occupied seats either side OF the
prisoners counsel, Judge Hagner. There was only
one lady relative OF the prisoner present, and it
was noted as a circumstance OF some significance
that for some time before the opening OF the pro-
ceedngs she was in close conversation with Mary
Murphy, who had been summoned as witness.
In explanation OF the absence OF the prisoners
wife or any other member OF his family 1t was
stated that his wife too Ill to be in attendance,
and that his eldest daughter was absent from
home somewhere on the north side OF the island.
Mary Murphy was called and explained the rela-
tive positions OF her and Maloney's houses with
that OF the wounded man; she saw Peter Maloney
In Mr.. jones' garden IN the afternoon ofsFriday,
and saw Thomas W. Jones about seven O'Clock in
the evening in the pathway leading from'the de-
ceased's house to his own, going towards home;
on Saturday morning about hal-past eight O'Clock,
appeared to be looking anxiously down the
road, but they suddenly turned and went
away; they were some distance or, and
she would not be positive as to their
identity, but sne thought that one of them was a
man known Jarvis, and that the others were rel
atives who worked with him on the road; they
were not at work on the road that day, and had
not Deen for two weeks before, that she had seen;
she saw the smoke OF a fire in the brush and grass
on the south side Of the railroad track and south
OF Jones' house abb halfpast seven O'Clock ON
Friday evening, which she supposed was set
by spark from passing locomotive,
but she saw no one go TO 1t, though
she saw Mr. Maloney's daughter Margaret looking
at it she could not say whether there was light
In Mr.. Jones' house on Friday evening, although
the view was unobsructed by trees or bushes she
and thought she saw Maloney late on Friday alter
noon around his own house; she would not be
likely to see any one passing from the depot to Mr..
volunteered the remark that she 'did not believe
Thomas Jones ever thought OF doing what he was
The District Attorney, Benjamin W. Downing,
who was present at the examination Tor the first
present now proposed to read the testimony OF
the accused, thomas w. Jones, given before the
Coroner's Jury. Mr.. Hagner at first objected, but
Justice Snedeker decided 1t to be competent testi-
mony now and after looking 1t over Mr.. Hagner
withdrew his objection and 1t was read. The
prosecution desired its Introduction principally
because IL Is the only testimony which eStab-
fishes the TACT that Thomas was at Samuers house
on the evening OF the murder, other witnesses
stating only that they saw MIN near 1t.
Mr.. Downing then announced that there was no
more evidence then ready, but that there was
some in course OF preparation, and asked for an
adjournment until the first OF next week.
Mr.. Hagner objected to an adjournment, and
thought That unless he prosecution had some more
direct testimony than had thus far been presented
the prisoner mad better be discharged at once.
Mr.. Downing said that the prisoner could not
now afford to let the matter rest in that way ii he
innocent 1t was for his advantage 20 be proved
80 by the fullest investigation.
After consultation with the prisoners relatives
Mr.. Hagner said that they had no desire to stine
investigation. To remove all faint OF suspicion
from the defendant and all chance OF stigma from
the family they cOurted the fullest investigation,
and freely consented to an adjournment to meet
the views OF the prosecution.
The further examination was finally postponed
until Thursday OF next week. that being the first
day when Justice Snedeker will be at liberty
otherwise. Before the adjournment the District
Attorney OBTAINED from Jackson Jones the bunch
Of keys which he sOund in secretary drawer In the
murdered mans house under suspicious circum-
stances, and gave them into the Justices possess
SION. II is supposed that Detective Payne pro-
poses to make some use Of them before the next
day OF the examination. He Is still confident that
he can establish good case.