The San Francisco call., 1906-04-05
Jones' DEATH
HOLDS MYSTERY
Body of Newspaper Man and
SOcialistic Lecturer Found
in a Peculiar Location
ADVANCE TWO THEORIES
Police Say Corpse Was Placed
Under Wharf or Carried
There by Very High Tide

Under circumstances that throw q
vein OF mystery about his death, the
body OF Charlemagne Franklin Jones.
formerly newspaper man and later a
lecturer of San Francisco. was found
yesterday afternoon high on the rocks
and far under the long wharf known as
section ] of the seawalI.
The police say that only theories can
explain the mysterious location OF the
body, one that the very high tides
placed IL there during the latter part
of March. the other that Jones alst
with foul play and his body was con-
cealed In that out OF the way place.
". Bosuisco of Oakland. who regu-
Iarly inspects the underpinning OF the
seawall, discovered Jones body lying
face downward on the rocks. Across
the legs were two heavy logs. while
on the back were several planks.
Deputy Coroner Robert Burke was no.
tilted and recovered the body. Burke
obtained a boat and rowed 1t beneath
the wharf as far as possible and made
IL fast Then jumping from rock. to
rock he clambered 10 where the body
lay, removed the timbers and dragged
1t to the boat.
Streams of blood had coagulated on
the face of the corpse and matted the
hair so that it was impossible to tell
the head. His tongue and eyes pro-
truded. but there was scarcely any
sign that the body had been in the
water. except from the condition Of the
clothing. which had frayed upon the
rocks. The palms of the hands were
shriYeled.
The clothing was of the best and
consisted of a dark pepper and salt
suit, fine underwear. black shoes and
oLS nlri in
tosh. In his pockets were found letters
that led to mis- identity. Two were
from Assemblyman Marc Anthony in
relation TO legislation that Jones was
interested in. private accounts made
out 70 c. F. Jones and an unposted let
ter from Mrs. Louise Seeley OF 1TOS
Hayes street to a relative.
Mrs Seeley was the first TO identify
the body She said that Jones. after
becoming a SociaIistic lecturer, had
been rooming with her for a year. She
spoke of him in the highest terms She
said that prior to coming 10 her Jones
lived at 34O5 Sacramento street.
Ten years ago Jones was employed
in the editorial department OF local
morning paper and later for several
years on The Call as reporter. Short
ly after leaving The Call Jones wife
obtained a divorce from him and mar
rie0 stewart
The wife also had the custody OF their
daughter. Florence Jones. of the But
terick Pattern Company at Post and
Grant avenue. although the affection
between father and child was not di-
minished.
After leaving The Call Jones became
secretary of the Industrial Develop
ment Company, of which y. B. Green's
fielder was the president He failed.
however, to make a success and turned
his attention 10 Socialism. Nightly he
was TO be seen and heard at his stand
on Grant avenue. Two weeks ago he
disappeared and friends were unable TO
learn of his whereabouts.
Although the peculiar circumstances
of the location of the body might lead
to the suspicion OF foul play no evil
deHce can be found of Jones having
had an enemy The suicide theory is
cast aside because of the mans genial
disposition and the evident unprepared-
ness for death. OF late Jones had been
drinking, having frequently bought
LIQUOR at the store OF Vincent Wood,
1898 HAYES street Just as TO where,
when and how Jones met his death is
another mystery added TO the long list
at the city's Morgue.
He was a man OF wide reading ana
high ideals. but at times, particularly
after heavy drinking. he was known to
have expressed suicidal views.