The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-28
CRIME'SCALENDAR
The Murder Of a Prominent Citizen
of Cincinnati by
Negro.
An Attempt at Suicide in a Chicago
Court Room---"My God,
am Innocent.
u.,,., M. Wife without . Cause--OtheT
Items of Crime from Various
Sections

CINCINNATI, July 27.-Dr. A. <. Jones,
an old resident of this city, well known as
+. local historian and an enthusiast in mill
tary matters, yesterday mysteriously dis
appeared from his home on Walnut Hill.
This morning his body was found IN
man-hole not far from his residence. He
had been murdered and robbed. The muir
der is one ef the most shocking occurrences
that could have occurred in Cincinnati.
The doctor was in his 77th year, but was as
active as a man of 60. He has always had
an inclination to military life and kept up
nv holding connection with the Ohio Ma
tionaI guards, serving for life time as
surgeon of the First regiment 0oV. roI-
aker. who was his nelghbor, appointed
him a member II his stan as surgeon-gen-
eral He had been active IN puolc
affairs, serving often in the municipal
council, and had, besides, held several
offices under appointment from the general
government He was, perm aps, mere known
in Cincinnati than any other citlzen: Dl.
Jones left his house about l;SO O'Clock
Thursday afternoon wearing 10 coat, MS
feet in slippers, and went In the dlrection
of his stable. That WAS the last seen OF
him alive. The family did not become
alarmed until after night, and then prose
cuted their search quietly until yesterday,
when notice was given 10 the police.
During the day yesterday trail OF blood
was discovered opposite the doctors stable,
and being followed was traced TO Park
avenue, thence south two or three squares
to the junction of cypress stres
and Francis lane, where, on the
grass, was quite pool OF
hole of the sewer that the body was
found this morning. Ii was wrapped IN
horse blanket or, rather, sewed up, so thar
IL was drawn by means OF rope fastened
about il, by man who had peen loWeIea
for that purpose. The body had been dou-
bled up compsctly, as If for convenience IN
carving, and IL is apparent that the trall
of blood was that which trickled from nls
wounds as his murderer carried MIN 70 the
place where he thought 10 conceal forever
any trace of his crime, for he hoped the
water would carry the body into the river.
There was but q single wound upon the
back of the head, as IL the blow had oeen
| given from behind. Inc tneory Is now
prevalent that the murderer Is Charles
| BIigl. a colored servant Bligh was at the
| house all day yesterday. He told OF his
| last interview with the doctor when ne
| left last night he said he would return at
/ $50 this morning, but has not yet been
/ found A hoe in the stable bears marks
| which have been pronounced blood stains.
/ liz was found that the doctors gold watch
and his money were gone. Ihls must
| have been the motive for the murder, as the
| doctor had not an enemy in the world.
/ The police are already making arrests,
among them Charles Bligh, the colored
/ hostler who had been with DR.. Jones about
/ two months
Madison. (coloredl, who bad formerly
/ worked for Dr.. Jones, and Richard Lee,
/ (colOred), also former employe, were ar
/ rested this afternoon on suspicion, but they
\ told such straightforward stories tnat the
/ police later released them Frank ButOrd,
| a bricklayer in whose house Bligh and his
/ wife boarded. was examined by the police
and stated that Bligh treated hlm 70 drinks
last night in a saloon and had large Dill
/ changed. The police believe Bllgh com
mitted the murder as the result OF quarrei;
| BIigh, the colored servant suspected of
the murder of Jones, was arrested this
evening at MadisoDvilie, Ohio land brought
10 the police station here ut SIS O'Clock,
and has confessed the murder of DIR. Jones.
BLIGH's CONFESSION.
Bligh said that Tuesday afternoon he
was working near the stable, pulnng nt
scolded him for not working
faster Some words passed be
tween them, and the doctor struck Bligh
/ with a light stick. He then, Bligh alleges.
cursed him and said he wanted the work
done. Bligh became angry, and as the
doctor passed yhim he picked up an OAK
stick and struck him on the back OF the
head. He fell and was speechless, put not
| dead. Bligh worked on in the garden IN
til half past six, when he got sack In the
barn that had been used and put Jones
body in it. The unfortunate man was still
breathing. Bligh doubled up hls legs
pushed the body in the sack, tied il with
hitching strap, and then went
/ INTO the house 10 supper. The
! folks asked him If he had seen the doctor
and he told them he had not After sup
| per they sent him 10 the house OF the doc,
/ tors sOn-in-law To see II he was there, and
he returned and told them the doctor had
! not been there. About 10 O'Clock at night
he took the sack on his shoulder and car
ried il down Park avenue and showed II IN
the manhole. Friday he worked as usual,
answering many questions about the doc
tor. Last night Andy Hudson, colored. a
former employe OF the doctor 8
| told Bligh that detectives had been
asking about him. Hudson thought
the officers were trying 20 connect Bligh
| with the disappearance This morning be
got up, packed his valise and went &C
| Fulton TO take the train for MsdisOnviJle,
but missed il and walked out BllRf
claims he did not take DIR. Jones' watch OF
money. but the authorities think differ
emily.