Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-08
WHO ". A. JONES WAS.

his Father Lives in North CarolinA-Ths
Young Nan Formerly Ciorl1ed on the
barry ID. kaOx-His Head Was Injured.
Rendering His Mind UnSOund.
| Sgeetat telegram 10 Les Reg.slsT.
PARKERsBRUG, w. VA, December z.
When the steamer Harry D. Knox
arrived about o'clock, Captain Sum
mers, OF the boat, identified the body
of the dead man who was killed by
Roger Seffens, jr., while attempting to
force an entrance into the latter's
house, and who was supposed to be a
residence burglar, as w A. Jones, the
clerk on the Knox. Captain Summers
| knew his family and his history. He
| explained away the burglary theory,
aud his story puts an entirely different
light on the affair. Jones, according
to Capt. Summers, was one OF the most
peaceable, quiet and gentlemanly fell
lows he ever knew. He had no bad
habits; did not drink, swear or even
chew or smoke. and was a very pleas
ant, affable young man. He came east
from California, where he had been for
nine years, and went TO work on the
Ohio river as clerk for Capt. Summers.
About seven years ago while Jones was
a contractor or conductor on railroad
In California, he was struck on the head
with heavy bucket of sand and to this
injury he owes all of his
misfOrtunes, which ended in
q violent death. For a year after
receiving the above injury, Jones felt
no III effects, but after that he began to
have spasms or spells OF epilepsy, which
grew 10 frequency and violence until
they became almost periodical. During
these spells Jones had no knowledge OF
his actions, but was never known TO be
violent or dangerous; on the contrary,
the captain says he was easily persuad-
ed tn .etire to his state room, where he
would sleep it off. Day before yeSter-
day Jones complained TO the captain Of
feeling sick, and said he would not go
down on the Knox that trip, but
would remain in town. The
captain tried 10 persuade him to return,
but could not, aud that was the last he
saw of him until he saw him lying dead
at the undertaker's. Jones was seen,
however, in town that afternoon as
late as O'clock. He then wore a
heavy chinchilla overcoat, coat and
dark hat; was we'll and neatly clad, and /
had, the Captain thinks, $3.50 or $500 in
money with him. When the man I
forced his way into Seffen's house he
was hatless, aud wore neither overcoat
nor coat. The latter was found this
10 1faH Tonac
his gold watch and S1S5 TO the officers, |
and said he had about $50 in one OF his
coat pocket.
The dead mans people live In Colds |,
boro, n. c. They have been tele-
graphed an account OF the sad end of |
their son and brother, and asked about
the disposition Of the body and property |
found on his person and at the boat.
From all of the developments. 1t is |
now certain that the dead man had no !
Intention of committing ROBBERY or |
crime, but that in his temporary de-
mentia he was seeking for his mother, |
who, although dead these many years, !
the poor fellow imagined was still alive |
and III the house he tried TO enter by |
force. 1t is a sad affair.
UUutS NOdb " do iOuuN hO-NoJ hO0A
the scene Of the killing, and in the
pocket the following letter was dis.
covered, the contents of which show
that young Jones had entertained fears |
that he would meet his death in some of
his attacks of dementia:
To Whom it Mdy Concern:
tn case of nv do. ~ : - lily |
tbot nv -. Is ia North Carolina. |
have = rSther, brother and sister all !
irving in the same neigbbOrhood. My
fathers address is r. Jones, Saratoga,
Wilson county, North Carolina. have !
some money in bank, which my boz
will show, which | wish to be tre-eIoiu
red to my father, to be used IS ne ur"'
see fit. "'"' a. jos.
MANY citizens, and the river men par
ticnlar!y, are indignant over what they
term the brutal treatment of poor Jones
after he had received his mortal In
juries.