Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-28

den in a Man-hole.
CINCINNATI, July 27th.-Dr. A. L. Jones,
an old resident of this city, well known as
local historian and an enthusiast in mill
tary matters, yesterday was mysteriously
missing 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 murder of DR.. A. E. Jones, familiar
ly known as Colonel" Jones, is one of
the most shocking occurrences that ever
occurred in Cincinnati. The Colonel was
in his seventy-seventh year, but was as
active as man of fifty. He had always
had an inclination to military life, and
kept it up by holding q connection with
the Ohio National Guard, serving for a
long time as Surgeon of the First Regi-
ment. Governor Foraker, who was his
neiehbor, appointed him member of his
staff as SUPERINTENDENT. He had been
active in public affairs, serving often
in the Municipal Council, and had, be-
sides, held several offices under appoint
ment from the General Government. He
was, perhaps, better known in Cincinnati
than any other citizen.
DR.. Jones left his house about 1:30 o'clock
Thursday afternoon, wearing no coat, with
his feet in slippers, and went in the direc-
ton 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 to the police. Dur
ing 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 street and Francis
lane, where on the grass was quite pool
of blood. 1t was here, in the manhole Of
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 it by man who had been lowered
for that purpose.
The body had been doubled up COM
pactly, as if for convenience in carving,
and it was apparent that the trail of blood
was that which trickled from his wounds
as his murderer carried him to the place
where he thought to conceal forever all
trace of his crime, for he hoped the water
would carry the body into the 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 had not an enemy in the world.
The police are already making arrests,
among them being Charles Eligh. colored
about two months. There was but slight
wound on the back of the head, as if the
blow had been given from behind The
theory now prevalent is that the murderer
is Charles Bigh, the colored servant.
Bllgh was at the house all day yesterday
and told of his last interview with the Col
onel. When he 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 pronounced to be blood stains.
Andrew Hudson, colored, who had
formerly worked for Colonel Jones, and
Richard Lee, colored, also a former en-
ploye, were arrested this afternoon on sus-
picion, but told such straightforward
stories that the police later released them.
Frank Bufert, a bricklayer in whose
house Bligh and his wife boarded, was ex-
amined by the police and stated that Bligh
treated him to drinks last night in a saloon
and large bill changed. The police be-
lleve Bligh committed the murder as the
result of a quarrel.
III P. M.-The negro servant Bligh, who
was captured this evening at jacksonville,
o., has confessed to the murder of Colonel
Jones.
BLIGH's CONFESSION.
Bligh said that On Thursday afternoon he
was working near the blepulling weeds,
when DR.. Jones came out and scolded him
for not working faster. Some words passed
between them aud the doctor struck Bligh
with light stick. He then, Bligh alleges,
cursed him and said he wanted the work
done.
Bligh became angry, and as the doctor
passed by him he picked up an oak stick
and struck the doctor on the back of his
head. He fell and was speechless, but not
dead RliOh uuCrl-aI ~, h.
den uEtil half past six, when he
got a sack in the barn that had
been used, and put Jones' body in it.
The unfortunate man was still breathing.
Bligh doubled up his legs, pushed the body
in the sack and tied it with hitchlng-
strap, and then went into the house to
supper.
The folks asked him if he had seen the
doctor, and he said he had not.
After supper they sent him to the house
OF the doctors son-in-law to see if he was
there and be returned and told them the
doctor had not been there
About 10 o'clock at night he took the
sack on his shoulder and carried it down
Park avenue and showed it in the man
hole. Friday ne worked as usual, answer
ing many questions about the doctor.
Last night Andy Hudson (colored), for
mer employe of the doctors, told Blieh
detectives had been asking about him, and
that he (Hudson) thought the officers were
trying to connect Bligh with the dis
appearance.
This morning he got up, packed his
valise and went to Fulton toatake the train
for Madisonyille, but missed it and walked
out.
TIE officers found him this afternoon.
Bligh claims he did not take DR.. Jones
watch and money, but the authorities
think differently.
Smith was greatly affected, and rising to
his feet exclaimed Il am innocent; l
swear before my God, whom am about
to meet, l am innocent l' As he finished
he raised his hand, and with small pocket
knife stabbed himself in the left breast.
He fell backwards on the floor, while his
wife, who had been sitting beside him,
screamed wildly.
"Oh, Jim, why did you do that? ?"
Doctors were hastily summoned, and
found the wound an inch and a half deep,
alb ut three inches above the nipple. They
do not think the would-be suicide will die.
In his pocket was found letter addressed
to Judge Mcconnell, but the Judge was too
much excited to read it to- night Smith
had always heretofore borne good reputa-
ton, and was employed as draughtsman
in the railroad Office here.