The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-11
WILL MURDER OUT?
The South Oyster Bay Tragedy
Still Mystery.
Preliminary Examination Of Thomas W. Jones,
Charged with Having Killed His Half
notwithstanding Before Justice
Snedeker at the Town Hall,
Jamaica, Yesterday-The Testi-
mony Of Jackson s. Jones.

nation Of more than usual interest yesterday.
The occasion was the Investigation of the charge
of murder preferred by the private detective
Stephen Payne, resident of Baldwinsyille, l.. l.,
against Thomas w. Jones, or South oyster Bay, q
detailed account OF which appeared in the HERALD
OF yesterday. The prisoner is accused OF having
murdered Samuel j. Jones, his half BROTHER on
Friday, June q, 1873, and or having drown the
body of his victim into well, where 1t was recov-
cred the following day.
The Queens County Board OF Supervisors have
offered 900 and OF the relatives OF deceased
$1,000 more. The complainant was present in
court yesterday, and continually prompted the
Justice ana attorney Tor the people propoundipg
the questions. Rear Admiral Melancthon Smith,
late commander OF the Brooklyn Navy Yard who
is a brother-inaw OF the prisoner and Mrs. Smith
occupied seats In front OF the accused. The latter,
who is rather unprepossessing in appearance sat by
the side OF his counsel, Surrogate Hagner,
and nervously and earnestly watched the
proceedings. The for the prosecution
was conducted by Assistant District Attorney
william J. Youngs, OIL Flushing. The apartment
was thronged to excess by "the strong men OF ia
macan who came to the front in their curiosity to
learn all that might be elected affecting the ac-
cused, whose family is known ana respected all
over Long Island, the prisoner being grandson Of
Chancellor Jones, OF this State. The examination
commenced at ten O'Clock, Mr.. Jackson S. Jones
taking the witness stand and remaining there
during the day.
|. TESTIMONY OF JACKSON 8. JONES'
Mr.; Jones said Il reside at Ridgewool, town of Hemp
samuel j. Jones; he died the evening June n 1873
wsed there beng ON he ce a ON eh s
very extensive bruise, and one his thigh
ceased seventy years age, but de.
been H inflicted With stones he before 70 de-
s Sa ea
Hatch and think, Peter Mqloney and colored man
him in the alb hour and
% IN house S
Assistant Bsc ne Attorney far do YOU
reside from The place OF the murdered mans
b wa nn the hss % Of o
try between house and Yho that of the murdered
between his and mine the distance from the residence
should Judge, il you go in direct line by the puoic
it Three four niles t there are
the prisoner owns one and Mr. Samuel Jones owned the
MURDER;
cannot say who occupied the house belonging to de-
nearest to the residence the deceased was present
the the s Ths s so en s
well had conversation -, with hum about the murder
general and ,s, cannot state eXasy what was said
there nearly week, day and night my brother and
brother inaw. Melancthon Smith; IL have no other
all night, and some two or three Of the neigh:
%s we talking an all sensr h ne
thing in particular that was said
There are no stones naturally on the ground there.
Justice Snedeker-Can you tell from where the stones
wit Wtness@yss they had evidently been obtained from
barrels distant about eight rods rom the
ds w IN III AIs
the well the grass at the time was about one foot and
ss@ &
n might
barrels which latter were in front Of the building
fattsh and about fifteen inches in diameter aud three
BY the District Xi,orney-pid you notice that any
stones missing from the barrels after the discovery
found upon close los inspection Of the ro.ted
@ Tfs' sh
to another pile stones Of the house although
was found by Of the neighbors the workshop
was about one inch and m if IN IT appeared
to been recently cut it of hickory wood saw
and t cut of with knife and smooth Such Wool
that grows in the immediate vicinity The day after the
Siderable extent; Of the time alone but part
he time did %o.ss Tie grass being sranpIe@
Tuesday morning succeeding the murder the list day 6f
@ upon rs St' day. but could
ng he ss SAID III don't IT know ha had any
came over to my-house one day with John H. Seaman,
|
| TALKED ABOUT SOME coLoREp MEN;
ay fs %sr s these %
ored men; they were trying to get at who these men
Of them
'EsSss ns
the letter being offered evidence being irreIe want
had Wren the sr as
"a Frendn to the witness. The Court ruled it com
Winess~i do identity the letter as having been re.
hSq%nin''' win 'NS AAn0"' Oh my 0'0'nsr 10 quail
At this point the Court took recess and did
not reassembe until two O'Clock, when Mr.. jack
son S. Jones was recalled, and the examination
was resumed:-
| Ihave shown the defendant
THE ANONYMOUS LETTER
now in evidence and do not remember what he said
receyed one Of these letters supposed was from an old
friend 81 my brSh Ter OF tory years standing have
boy named John jarvis, at Freeptrt L: l., and had
impression that Jarvis was not sworn; don't know
Judge snedeSe5-Dc You remember the condition of
%pS1S
se ua na the hat s as a
looked like hand marks for about every foot and half
the water earth was abo" S eet
could not DISTINGUISH from the stains to the Size Of the
| LITTLE POOL OF BLOOD
hs hs sns bS M ssre
e ss sys s a me chair
out into the entry the wounds the head the APP
the on Of @
across the right side OF the forehead;
| ASSASSIN MUST HAVE STOOD FACE
with the deceased in order to have inflicted the wound
described II the assassin had been in the room when
my brother came IN they must have stood facing each
| other.
BY the District Attorney-The outside door was not
broken or forced at all 1t was perfectly natural the first
BY hearsay bhr Mss
particular about locking his doors; when arrived
the premises the doors were open: the first
went to the house found good many buhches keys
but no particular bunch; the next morning Sunday
FOUND A BUNCH KEYS
which appeared to be wet found them in secretary
drawer OF deceased had looked in the drawer nnu-
Der Of times before, but not particularly, desiring 10
disturb anything until the Coroner came.
Justice Snedekcr-I understand you to say the KEYS
wetf - -
Witness-Yes sir, thought, perhaps my brother had
worn the Keys the day before and they had become
from preparation, and that he had thrown them the
drawer, where they were found when found the keys
there were present William Floyd jones' the Coroner,
and several others