The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-06
HILLMAN JONES LOST.
Has Drowned Himself or Gone
to South America.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST HIM.
Heiresses OF an Estate Say He Appropri-
ated Funds-He Disappears After
Trying to Borrow Money.

. Hillman F. Jones. who 10 or was well-known
in this city from having formerly held the posi-
ton Of justice of the peace has disappeared from
his homo at Sidney, and, from the facts con-
nected with his absence, 10 supposed to have
either committed suicide or secretly left the
country.
Jones was the Republican candidate for
prosecuting attorney of Kitsap county last fall,
and was badly beaten by H. H. Eaton. the Pop
uisi. He took his defeat very much to heart,
and has been dependent ever since, seeking
comfort i'll stimulants, for which he had before
had a weakness In its issues of April Is and 2
the Sunday Mercury published articles contain
ing accusations alleged to have been made by
the two daughters of the late August Bittner,
of Sidney. that Jones had Incorporated the
funds of their fathers estate. Ct which he was
administrator. Bitter LETT property in sidney
consisting of q saloon building aud fixtures, be-
sides an estate in Germany. The Sidney prop
eriy was mortgaged to Harms 4 Dickman, of
this city, who bought it in, and there was a
balance left from this or the sale of the personal
property. The two girls said that Jones took
them to snohOmish on pretense Of having some
business there in connection with the estate,
which required their presence. and there enter
tanned them at low lodging house with their
own money.
Jones had been drinking hard before this ex.
pOsure, aud this new trouble did not cause
him to drink any less. He came over to this
city and tried to raise some money. presumably
to make good the deficiency in the funds of the
Bittner estate. but failed after making every
effort. and went home very respondent on April
2S He packed up all his papers and sent them
to his vile ut his ranch on Long lake with
letter intimating that he would probably be
heard from next at the bottom OF the bay. That
was on April %, and he has not been seen since
then. 1t is supposed that he has either drowned
himself or gone to Buenos Ayres. as he has fire.
Quently talked of going to the River Plate since
his defeat last fall, whenever his fits of de-
spondency camo upon him.
Jones was about 40 years old and was formerly
well known here, though he has rather dropped
out OF sight since he moved to Sidney. He
was elected justice Of the peace for Seattle in
1887, in the anti-Chinese campaign, and became
quite well-to-do, building nice house on Lake
street. At the same time he was proving up on
a claim on Long lake in kitsap county, about
six miles from sidney He was also interested
in the Seattle Enterprise, q newspaper which
sprung into lie, hicxersd ana died in . few
weeks. He in some way lost his Seattle house
and then moved over to his ranch on Long lake.
Since his defeat last fall he has practiced law at
Sidney, his wiz and four children living on the
Ross place, near that town. Bad habits aud bad
luck have combined to impoversh him, until
at the time Of his disappearance he had little
left except his ranch.