The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-02
dllAp CANE LEADS
70 A MURDER.
BECAUSE He HAD WON $t.70
The Murderer, Charles Jones, Lodged In
jail to Await the Next Term Of
Court For Trial.

MIppLETowN, July This quiet little
town was thrown into feverish state of
excitement to-day when the news was
spread that Charles Jones, coiored, had
stabbed to death Alexander Thomas and
that the cause Of the commitment of the
!. rash nc, was a dispute over crap game.
This morning John Shovel met Thomas
and they agreed to go toa neighboring
farm and make half day,
As they went up the street. they mot
Jones who asked Thomas II he had any to
hacco. Thomas replied. II have no tobacco
but have some money for you" Jones
told them to wait there and soon after.
ward remarked, ''l'm ready" The three
then walked down the railroad to the
,Cannery operated by Charles Preston of
\ Hartford county, Md. ShOwell fixed two
or three boxes and laid down 10 take a
sleep. He was awakened by Thomas cry
ting out "Charlie, quit, behave yourself.
let me alone"
At that time Thomas had been stabbed
~ saw the blood. Thomas held Jones'
arm and Jones had hold of Thomas
shirt In ono hand and held the knife in
the other. Thomas cried TO Showell.
Shovel stated his intention of going up
and informing constable Dixon and
started to do so. Jones then intercepted
Shovel and slashipg at him with the
AulIe Sllu WIN duu Oulu WHO are you
going to telip'
Showeli became scared and ran away.
He turned around and saw Jonos and
Thomas come out of the barn. After
Thomas made few steps he fell in the
roadway. Shovel went back and tho in
jured man asked to be taken up home.
Shovel was unable to do so and when aid
came IT was discovered that Thomas was
dead. He had been stabbed under the
fourth rib on the left breast and had re-
ceiyed n cut on the back of the head meas.
i, uring about three inches in length and an
inch IN depth.
As soon us Jones did the cutting he
went to the National Hotel where he had
been employed as waiter. 1t was about
dinner time and he began his duties in
the dining-room. Mrs. shannon, tn Q
hous keeper at the hotel, chided him for
being so untidy.
A few minutes later she heard CONVEX
Sation about the stabbing aifray, and told
Jones to go over and see il the man was
dead and ordered him not to come back If
such was tho case. Jones left the hotel
and surrendered himself
Jones admits cutting Thomas and says
that the latter won ST. from him and
shat when he demanded it Thomas
struck him in the neck and knocked him
down. Then he got up and pulled out
his knife and the fatal wound was in.
fiicted.
jones denies that he got his money
back although when Thomas pockets
were searched only % cent, were recovered
Deputy Coroner Chandler accompanied
by State Detectives McVoy and Witsil
came here this afternoon and held an in
quest on th1 body. Joshua Clayton, Jr.,
was foreman and James f. Mclvor Sec
notary
The Jury returned the following verdict:
Resolved That Alexander Thomas
came to his death on the first day OF July,
1897. at Middletown, in st. Georges hun
dred, New Castle county, Delaware, by in
juries received by being stabbed with q
knife in hands Of Charles Jones. And we,
the Jury. recommend that he, Charles
Jones. - he Il without bail Tor trial AT the
mex; term of court.
to New Castle Jail this evening In de.
fault of 500 bail to appear as witness
ShOwcll was committed 10 Jail by Magi-
state Ferguson.
Thomas, the murdered man, leaves a
wife amt luur children the youngest being
a baby one week old.
The fanily refused to admit the body
and Deputy Coroner Chandler took 1t to
Fnrnhurst where the coroner's physician
Will MAKE an e&hlllnallOu LO'llorFoW.
The remains will be Inferred in Potter's
Field.
. Tho town commissioners arc roundly
abused for permitting gambling to run
rampant. Time and time again the best
people here have called attention to the
growing evil. 1t was all to no avail. A
determined move will be taken by the
citizens to see that the crap shooting and
Other gambling are broken up.