Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-28
A TRAIL OF BLOOD
Leads Searchers for the Missing
Colonel Jones to a Manhole.
HIS DEAD BODY In A BLANKET,
While His Money and His Watch Taken by
His Brutal Murderer.
BLIGH, A CoLoRED SERVANT, ARRESTED
With the Greatest Coolness the Murderer Tells How
tae Deed Was Done.

A trail of blood led the searchers for the
remains of Colonel A. E. Jones, of Cincin-
natl, to q manhole, where the body was
found sewed up in blanket. His money
and watch were gone. Charles Bligh, his
colored servant, acted suspiciously and fed,
but was captured at Madisonville.
CINCINNATI, July 27.-Thel body of
Colonel A E. Jones was found this morn
ing in manhole not far from his residence.
murdered and robbed.
The murder Of DR.. A. E. Jones, Familiarity
known as Colonel Jones, is one Of the most
shocking things that could have occurred in
Cincinnati. The Colonel was in his 77th
year, but was as active as q man of 30. be
had always had an inclination for mill
tary life, and kept it up by holding a
connection with the Ohio National Guards,
serving for long time as surgeon OF the
First Regiment. Governor Foraker, who
was his neighbor, appointed him member
Of his staff as Surgeon General. He had
been active in public affairs, serving often
in the Municipal Council, and had besides
held several offices under appointment from
the General Government. He was perhaps
more widely known in Cincinnati than any
other citizen.
DR.. Jones left his house about $3.50 o'clock
Thursday afternoon, wearing no coat, mis-
feet in slippers, and went in the direction Of
his stable. he asked what time it was,
though wearing his watch. That was the
last seen of him alive. The family did not
become alarmed until after night and then
prosecuted their search quietly until yester-
day, when notice was given to the police.
During the day yesterday trail of blood
was discovered opposite the doctors stable
on Cemetery street, and, being followed,
was traced to Park avenue, thence south
two or three squares to the junction of
Cypress street and Francis lane, where on
the grass was quite pool Of blood. 1t was
here, in a manhole Of the sewer. that the
body was found this morning. 1t was
WRAPPED IN A HORSE BLANKET,
or rather sewed up, so that it was drawn out
by means OF a rope fastened around 1t by a
man who had been lowered for that purpose.
The body had been doubled up compactly,
as if for convenience in carrying, and it is
| apparent that the trail of blood was that
which trickled from his wounds as his mur-
| thought to conceal forever the trace OF his
crime, for he hoped the water would carry
| the body into the river. 1t was found that
the doctors gold watch aad his money were
gone. This must have been the motive for
the murder, as the doctor had not an enemy
in the world.
There was but single wound upon the
body. 1t was upon the back part of the
head and slightly on the right side, as if the
blow had been given from behind. The the
cry now prevalent is that the murderer was
Charles Bligh, the colored servant, and that
after committing the crime he hid the body
until night and then, putting it into a grain
sack, he carried it to its place of conceal
| ment. Bligh was at the house all day yes
terday and told of his last interview with
the Colonel. When he left last night he
said he would return at $50 this morning,
but he has not yet been found. A hoe in
the stable bears marks which are pro-
nounced to be blood stains.
THE SUSPECTED SERVANT.
The fact that Charles Bligh, the colored
servant of Colonel A. E. Jones, was missing
to-day, thus confirming the suspicion against
him of numbering his employer, did not
prevent the police from making other ar
rests. Andrew Hudson, colored, who left
the Colonel's employment last spring, after
being seven years with him, was arrested
He denied all knowledge of the crime
he was discharged by the Chief of
Police. Richard Lee, colored, ,lalso for
mer employe, was arrested. Lee claims to
have seen man on Thursday night, some
where in the neighborhood where the body
was found, and to have heard noise in that
direction. Another arrest is Frank Bu-
ford. bricklayer, in whose house Bligh
and his wife are boarders. Buiord says
that he met Bligh last night and they had
a drink together in saloon and that
Bligh got S bill changed.
house early this morning. The Chief of
Police after a searching examination of
Puford was satisfied of his innocence and
discharged him. The Chief of Police is GER
tain that Bligh is the murderer.
Bligh has been employed about six weeks
with Colonel Jones. He came from Madi-
son county, KY. He bears a bullet in his
left arm as the result of some trouble there
He is described as mulatto 80 years old,
~ feet tall, weighing 130 pounds and wear
ing mustache and short side whiskers.
BLIGH's SUSPICIOUS ACTS.
His wife says he came home last night
late, and after he was in bed some one
called him and told him he was wanted at
Colonel Jones; that they we're suspicious of
him. He got up and was gone awhile but
came back to bed. He got up early this
morning and said he was going to Colonel
Jones' and if they did not want him he
would 60 down 10 the city and buy some
furniture. BlIgh was with the searching
party all day yesterday, and when he left
the house last night he said he would re-
turn at $50 this morning. He was quite
sure Colonel Jones was out of his mind and
that he would be found wandering in some
of the ravines not far from his resi-
dence. A man who was with him
says his manner was disagreeable and
almost shocking on account of the levity
with which he talked OF the missing man.
Tine police have theory that the murder
was committed as the result of quarrel,
and that when Bligh saw what he had done
he put the body over the fence in the woods
until after dark, when he got a grain sack
and packed the body in it and carried it to
the manhole.
Bligh was arrested this evening at Madi-
sonville, O., and brought to the police
station here at 8:25.
A COOL VILLAIN.
Madisonville, where Bligh was arrested,
is not more than five miles in an air line
from the scene of the murder. Bligh was
brought into the city and taken before Super
intendent Deitzsh, of the police force, where
without hesitation or restraint be made
full confession of the crime. His manner
was easy, and his story of horror was told
with as little feeling as IN he bad haer. nar-