The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-28
A SHOCKING STORY OF CRIME
The Dead Body of DR.. A. E. Jones, of Gin
cinnati, Found in a Sewer Man-Hole.
The Murder Committed by Charles Bligh, the
Doctors COlored HOstler, Who Is Arrested,
and Minutely COnfeSSes His Crime

CINCINNATI, July 27.-The body of DR.. A.
E. Jones was found this morning in a man.
hole not far from his residence, murdered
and robbed. The murder of Dr.. Jones, ia
miliarly known as Colonel Jones, is one of
the most shocking occurrences that has
ever occurred in Cincinnati. The Colonel
was in his seventy-seventh year, but was
active as man of fifty. He had always
had an inclination to military life, and
kept it up by holding connection with
the Ohio National Guards, serving for a
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 munich
pal Council. and had besides held several
offices under appointment from the general
government. He was, perhaps, more wide
ly known in Cincinnati than any other
citizen. DR.. Jones left his house about
800 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 yesterday, when notice was given to
the police.
During yesterday a. trail of blood was
discovered opposite the Doctors stable on
Cemetery street and, being followed, was
traced to Park avenue. thence south two
OF three squares to the junction of Cypress
was quite pool of blood. 1t was here in q
man-hole of the sewer that the body was
found this morning. 1t was wrapped in q
horse blanket. or rather sewed up SO that
it had to be drawn out by means of q rope
fastened around it by 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
trickled from his wounds as his murderer
carried him to the place where he 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 and his money
were gone. This must have been the mo-
tive for the murder, as the Doctor had not
an enemy in the world.
There was but a single wound on the
murdered mans body. 1t was upon the
back part of the head and slightly on the
right side. as if the blow had been gwen
from behind. The theory now prevalent is
that the murderer was Charles Bllgh, the
colored servant. and that after committing
the crime he hid the body until night. and
then, putting the body into a gram sack,
Blgh was at the house all day yesterday,
and told of his last interview. with the
Colonel. When he left last night he said
he would return at $50 this morning, but
stable bears marks which are pronounced
blood stains.
The Murderer's Capture and Confession.
CINCINNATI. July 27.-Charles Bhgh, a
coachman of DR.. A. E. Jones, was arrested
tonight, at MadisOnville, on the Cincin-
natl, Washington & Baltimore road, not
more than five miles in an airline from the
scene of the murder. He was brought into
the city and taken before Superintendent
Deitsch, of the police force, where, without
hesitation or restraint he made full con-
fession of the crime. His manner was easy
and his story of horror was told with as
little feeling as if he had been narrating
the most commonplace events of dull
days experience. His story was as follows:
my name is Charles A. Bligh. 1 was
born at Richmond, Ky. Am twenty mine
years old; am married. In March last
came to this city, and on the third Wednes-
day in March engaged to work for DR.. A.
+. Jones, as hostler and for other work. al
S. week. On the afternoon of Thursday
last was working in the garden pulling
weeds, when the Doctor came out in hit
shirt sleeves wearing slippers and slouch
hat, and began to scOld me. / had just
come out of the barn where j had gone fol
a necessary purpose. The Doctor told me
he wanted the weeds pulled out of that
celery. and he did not want any
more excuses about it. The Doctor was
cross and took little stick and struck me,
but it did not hurt. 1t was just little
stroke. This was near the stable door. He
talked pretty fierce, and cursed me, and
said again he did not want any more ex
| cuses. / became angry, and as the Doctor
| passed by me picked up bit of oak stick
| used in baling hay, and using both hands
| / struck him blow from behind on the
| back of the head. He fell and was speech
| less, but not dead. He was not able tC
| move; he only breathed
Il went on with my work in the garden
| until abOut half-past o'clock, when 90
sack in the barn that had been used fol
oats and put his body in it. He was breath
| ing yet, and drew up his legs so that
could easily push his body into the sack.
then tied it up with a hitchipg-strap, ant
| went into the house and got my supper o.
usual The folks asked me if / had seer
the Doctor, and told them / had not
After supper they sent me to Mr. Thorn
toms 1.-THE. Doctors son-in-law), I,
| see if he was there. cam
back and told them that the Docto
had not been there. Then l went to tn,
power-house and the cable road and tslkes
awhile with colored man, and came bacl
about 10 o'clock. took the sack on my shout