River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-08-01
a FOUL DEED.

Charles Bligh, the CoIored HostIer of DIR.
A. Il. Jones. a Popular Cincinnati Ply
stefan, Murders His Employer and
Throws the Body of His Victim Into a
sewer-HIs Confession.
CINCINNATI, O.. July 29-The body of
Colonel A e Jones was found Saturday
IN a man-hole not far from his residence
The unfortunate man had been robbed and
murdered. The murder of Dr. A Z
zones. Familiarity known as ''Colonel''
Jones, is one of the most shock
ing occurrences that could have Oc-
surred in Cincinnati The Colonel was in
his nth year, but was as active as a man of
10. He had always had au inclination 10
military life, and kept il up by holding a
connection with the Ohio National Guard,
serving for a long time as surgeon
of the First Regiment Governor
Foraker, who was his neighbor, ap-
pointed him member of his staff as Sur
geon-GeneraL He had been active in pub
lie affairs serving often in the municipal
council and had besides held several Of
fees under appointment from the general
Government. He was, perhaps more wide
ly known in Cincinnati than any other cit
izen
There was but n single wound II was
upon the back part of the head and slightly
ON the right side, as if the blow had been
given from behind
DR. Jones left his house about $50
o'clock Thursday afternoon, wearing no
coat, his 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 Friday, when
notice was given to the police During
Friday trail of blood was discovered on
posite 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
a pool of blood 1t was here in man
hole of the sewer that the body was found
1t was wrapped in a lOrse-b blanket, or
rather sewed up, so that il was drawn out
by means of rope fastened around it
by a man who had been lowered
for that purpose. The body had
been doubled up cOmpactly, as if for con
venience in carrying, and it is apparent that
the trail of blood was that which trickIed
from his wounds, as his murderer car
to conceal forever the trace of his
crime, for he hoped the water would carry
the body into che river 1t was found
that the doctors gold watch and his
money were gone This must have been
the motive for the murder, as the doctor
has not au enemy in the world The po-
lice made several arrests among them
being Charles Bligh, the colored hOstler
who had been with Colonel Jones about
two months.
Charles Bligh was arrested at o'clock
Saturday evening at jacksonville. o., and
at once brought here. When pumped by
the police he broke down and made full
confession of his awful crime. His manner
was easy and his story of horror was told
with as little feeling as if he had been mar
rating the most commonplace events OF q
dull days experience. His story was as
follows
my name is Charles A. Bligh. 1 was born
at Richmond KY 1 am 30 years old. I an
married. In March last l came to this city
and on the third Wednesday in March engaged
TO work for DR.. a. f. Jones as hostler and for
other work at five dollars a week On the
afternoon OF Thursday last I was working in
the garden pulling weeds when the doctor
came out in his shirt sleeves, wearing slippers
and SLOUGH hat and began TO scold me.
Il had just come out of the barn. The
doctor told me he wanted the weeds pulled out
OF that celery and he did not want any more
excuses about it. Tue doctor was cross and
took little stick and struck me, but I did not
hurt. 1t was lust a little straw. This was
near the stable-door He talked pretty fierce
and cussed me and said again he did not want
any more excuses.
Il became angry and as tie doctor passed
by me / picked up a bit OF oak stick used in
baling hay ard, raising both hands, l struck
him a blow from behind on the back OF the
head. He fell and was speeches., but not
dead. He not able TO move; he only
breathed. I went on with my work in the gar
den until about $50 o'clock, when got a sack
in the barn that had been used tor oats and
put his body in it.
HE was breathing yet and drew up his legs
so that could easily push his body into the
sack. / then tied it up with a hitch ng-strap
supper as usual. The folks asked me
if had seen the doctor and I
told them had not. After supper they sent
to Mr.. Thornton's (the doctors son in-lawj
TO see II he was there. / came back ard told
them that the doctor had not been there
Then went TO the power-house of the cable
road and talked awhile with colored man and
came back about 10 o'clock, took the sack on
my shoulder, and earned it down Park avenue
TO the man-hole. Two persons we're ahead OF
me as went but kept out Of their way
Il laid the sack down on the grass while /
took of the iron covering OF the mauhole and
then threw it in, covered up the maEhole and
went back 10 Colonel Jones house. and soon
after went to my own home on Washington
avenue.
II did not take Colonel Jones' watch nor his
money. l did not know he had his watch or
his money with him"
His confession was made in the presence
of about twenty persons DR. Robert c
Jones, son of the murdered man, was pres
ent at the beginning but when the murder
er began to tell how he struck his victim
the son was obliged to leave the room. 1t is
well that the prisoner is under strong
guard else his heartless recital would bring
his swift retribution. The police do not
credit his story of not robbing his victim
Only three dollars in money was found on
hir', but they expect yet to find the stolen
watch.
BIigh is a mulatto, 80 years old, five and
one-half feet tall. weighing 100 pounds, and
wearing a mus ache and short side wills
kers.
DR. Jones will be buried with military
honors next Tuesday The Governors staff
and a regiment OF Ohio troops win be pres
emit The evidence against Charles Bligh
the murderer, is now complete, lie con
fess I Sunday that he had stolen General
Jor ) watch and pawned it for $40. The
wa,ou was found in a Sixth street pawn
shop 1t is probable an effort Will be made
to indict and convict Bligh as soon as pos
sible.
DAkOTA'S WEALTH.
The Joint Commission on Division OF
the Property of the two Prospective