J.D. Jones Murder Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas

MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER CUT IN AN EARLY MORNING BRAWL

(Taken from the El Dorado Times, Friday, July 4, 1941 - front page)

Battle Between Colored Residents At Home of J. D. Jones, 318 West Fifth Avenue, Results In Death of Columbus Hughes, Slashing of Albert Robinson And Arrest Of Jones; Fight Starts When Robinson Protests To Hughes That Latter Is Making Too Much Noise. Jones Intercedes And After Robinson Is Slashed Shoots Hughes At Close Range As patrolman I. J. Robinson Stands Nearby Unable To Prevent Assault.

FIGHT FOLLOWS DRINKING PARTY; FIND HOME BREW IN THE HOUSE

On man was shot to death, another was badly slashed with a knife and a third is in the city jail as a result of a fight at the home of J. D. Jones, aged 46, colored, 318 West Fifth Avenue, about 5:40 o'clock this morning.

The dead man is Columbus Hughes, aged 28 years, colored, and the injured man is Albert Robinson, aged 28, also colored. The man held at the city jail is Jones. Hughes and Robinson have had rooms at the Jones Home for some time.

Hughes is alleged to have cut Robinson when the latter protested he was making too much noise, and Jones is charged with shooting Hughes during the argument. Robinson was cut with a large pocket knife and Hughes was shot with a 12-gauge, single-barrel shotgun, which is owned by Jones.

According to Mrs. Jones, the only other person who heard the fuss, Robinson retired about midnight last night. Jones and Hughes did not come home until about 4:30 o'clock. She said she thought they had been at a Mexican's home in Riverside. Both Hughes and Jones had been drinking. Jones was so drunk two hours after the shooting that he could not talk coherently to a reporter for The Times.

Open With Words

Hughes is alleged to have made considerable noise about the Jones home. This awoke Robinson, who objected. Heated words followed and soon the knife was brought into play. Robinson being cut about the body. Some of the furniture in the house was broken and a window was smashed in the battle. Jones tried to stop the fight.

The noise aroused the neighbors and the police were called. Jones evidently ran from the house and Hughes started after him after cutting Robinson. Hughes went to the home of Mrs. Janie Neely, colored mother of Jones, which is just in the rear of the Jones residence. Hearing the police had been called, Hughes hid the knife under a pillow on a bed, where it was found by the police.

Patrolman I. J. Robinson answered the call when the police were summoned. Hurrying to the Jones home, he found Robinson had been slashed. Hughes was in the Neely home behind locked doors and Jones was in his home. Hughes was persuaded to come out and he and the officer went to the Jones home. They had been in the house only two or three minutes when Jones shot Hughes.

Fires At 10 Feet

Jones was in his bedroom and fired at Hughes, who was standing in the dining room about ten feet away. The load took effect just under Hughes' right arm. The man fell backwards on to a studio couch and died almost immediately. Officer Robinson was standing about three feet from Hughes when the latter was shot. The patrolman was unable to prevent Jones from shooting.

Officer Robinson said he ordered Jones to come out of the bedroom after the fatal shot was fired, or he would "come get him." At first the colored man failed to comply, but soon walked from the room with the shotgun in his hands. The officer said the gun had been reloaded and the hammer was pulled back. The empty shell that killed Hughes was found in the bedroom.

Following the shooting, the wounded man went to the police station and then was taken to the Allen Memorial Hospital. Jones was locked up at the city jail, but it was expected he would be taken to the county jail later in the day.

Dr. A. P. Cloyes, county coroner, Chief of Police Ray Byers, Sheriff Walter Covert, County Attorney Gale Moss and Frank Wright, night turnkey at the county jail, soon arrived at the Jones home to make an investigation. The body of Hughes was removed to the Arnold-Kirby Funeral Home.

Find Some Home Brew

In searching the Jones residence, the officers found a large number of bottles of home brew, a keg for making it and some empty bottles. On a sideboard was an empty whiskey bottle.

Jones has been arrested by the police in the past. He has been working at a local hotel, but formerly operated a shoe shine parlor. Hughes has been employed at a local garage and Robinson at a restaurant.

In a stammering tone, because he was still under the influence of liquor, Jones told a reporter for The Times that he "wanted to stop the fight" between Hughes and Robinson. The prisoner kept asking if Hughes was injured and had to be told four of five times that the man was dead before he fully realized what had happened.

El Dorado Colored Man To Be Charged With Slaying Early Yesterday Morning (El Dorado Times, Saturday, July 5, 1941 - front page and continued on page 6)

TELLS A STORY

Makes Signed Confession To County Attorney; Other Statements Also Taken

A charge of murder in the first degree will be file din the County Court of Judge W. N. Calkins by County Attorney Gale Moss against J. D. Jones, aged 46 years, colored who was arrested at his home, 318 West Fifth Avenue, early yesterday morning after he is alleged to have killed Columbus Hughes, aged 28 years also colored.

Hughes was shot just below the pit of the right arm with a 12-gauge single barrel shotgun. He died immediately. The shooting followed an argument between the two men and Albert Robinson, aged 28 years, also colored. Robinson was badly slashed by Hughes a few minutes before Jones is alleged to have shot Hughes. Hughes was shot as he stood in the dining room of the Jones home, Jones was in a bedroom and about ten feet from Hughes.

Patrolman I. J. Robinson, who had been called to the home, stood nearby. Following the shooting, the officer ordered Hughes to come out of the bedroom and the colored man responded with the shotgun in his hands.

Takes Three Statements

This morning Mr. Moss had taken statements from Jones, Robinson and Pete Sepulveda, Mexican, who lives in Riverside. He planned to question other persons later in the day. Both Robinson and Jones signed their statements.

Robinson was cut five times on the left side and back, his attending physician said today. One wound is believed to have punctured a lung. The cuts are deep and unless complications develop it is believed Robinson will recover, it was said this morning.

Hughes body was taken to Independence yesterday for funeral services which probably will be held tomorrow. Born at Thornton, Ark., November 24, 1913, Hughes had lived in El Dorado only about a year. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Hughes, of Independence.

Jones Statement

Jones statement as written by Mr. Moss follows:

"My name is J. D. Jones and I live at 318 West Fifth Avenue, El Dorado, Kan. I live with my wife, Virginia Jones. Albert Robinson has roomed at my house almost nine years, Columbus Hughes had also roomed at my house since last fall. I think, late in the fall. He was from Independence, Kans. Hughes and Robinson roomed together.

About 8 p.m. the evening of Thursday, July 3, 1941, I went home from my work at the Butler Hotel in El Dorado. Columbus Hughes was home when I got there. Columbus Hughes' girl friend was Nettie Epperson. She was at my place, too, when I got home. Columbus and Nettie were arguing about something. I thought I could stop the quarrel so I said to Columbus, Columbus lets get a pint of liquor. I went to the bath room where my wife was and Nettie followed me in the bathroom and told me 'Don't ask Columbus to put in on whiskey, because he's already got a pint.' Columbus heard Nettie tell me this and the argument started all over again.

Columbus was sitting down at the table in the dining room all this time. I came from the bathroom to where Columbus was and asked him to go downtown with me. I thought I could get him away from the quarrel. I had had some beer at Charley Ashs on the way home from work. Prince Lively took me home from Charley Ashs in his car. Columbus and I started to town on foot. We separated at Star and Fifth. Columbus said he was going on down town. I went to Riverside.

To Andrew Cole's

At Riverside, I went to Andrew Cole's house. I think I got to Andrew Cole's between 8:30 and 9 in the evening. Andrew and his wife were home. I must have been there two or three hours. I didn't do any drinking at Andrew's. There wasn't any drinking done there at all. We just talked. We talked about first one thing and then another.

I think I left Andrew Cole's between 10 and 11 in the evening. Prince Lively came by Andrew Cole's and picked me up and took me home.

I think I drank some home brew with Columbus Hughes before he and I left together earlier in the evening.

When I got home from Andrew Cole's, Columbus Hughes was not there. Prince Lively did not come into my house. He just let me out. I went on in the house. I think Nettie Epperson and my wife were the only persons at my house when I got home from Andrew Cole's between 10 and 11. Prince and I came straight to my place from Andrew Cole's.

A while after I got home, Elwood Neeley and Kenneth (Snakes) Baker came to my house. Columbus Hughes either came in with Neeley and Baker or a little before. I think Neeley and Baker may have brought Columbus home. This must have been around midnight. Snakes works at Charley Ash's and it must have been after working hours, Ash's closes at midnight.

Argument Is Started

An argument between Columbus Hughes and Kenneth Baker started soon after they got there. Nettie Epperson was lying on the duofold with a pillow on her feet. Kenneth walked over and pushed her feet and the pillow over and sat down on the end of the duofold. Columbus didn't want Kenneth Baker sitting by Nettie. I don't remember what was said, but Columbus didn't like it and started the argument with Kenneth Baker. It must have gone on for 2 or 30 minutes. We had all been drinking some home brew except Kenneth Baker and Elwood Neeley. I gave Neeley a bottle of home brew when he left.

Kenneth Baker wanted to leave because Columbus was getting mean about the argument. Baker and Neeley left together. It must have been around 1 a.m. when they left. They had Elwood Neeley's car.

After Neeley and Baker left that left Columbus Hughes, Nettie Epperson, my wife and I there at my house. Albert Robinson may have come in while Baker and Neeley were there, I don't remember. After Neeley and Baker left, Columbus and I continued drinking home brew.

I don't remember being with Columbus at Pete Sepulveda's in Riverside at any time during the night of July 3 or the morning of July 4, I don't remember of being in Riverside at all with Columbus Hughes that night.

Drink Home Brew

Columbus Hughes and I sat in my house and drank home brew together until the fight started. Nettie Epperson was lying on the duofold. I don't remember whether Nettie was on the duofold all this time or whether she was in the bedroom with my wife. My wife had gone in the bedroom before Baker and Neeley arrived. I didn't see her any while Baker and Columbus Hughes were having their arguments. I think Nettie Epperson might have gone into the bedroom with my wife after Baker and Neeley left.

Columbus Hughes and I were sitting in the living room, Hughes on the duofold and I was on a chair. We were drinking home brew and arguing and talking just before the fight started. It must have been early. I was talking to Columbus about him cussing out Kenneth, I don't remember what was said either by me or Columbus. I must have been telling Columbus I didn't like it.

The conversation ended when Columbus jumped up and said I'm gonna cut your God damned throat, nigger. I jumped up about the same time. When I jumped up, I saw a knife in Columbus' hand. He held it down at his side in his right hand.

After some time, Columbus and I jumped up, Albert Robinson came in. I don't remember any of the things that were said by anyone while this was going on. Albert Robinson stepped between Columbus and me, I saw Columbus and Albert grab each other and I ran out the back door and ran over to Mrs. Bill Huggins on Washington Street, just north of the Demo-Collins old place. It is about three-fourths of a block to Huggins from my place by the way I went. I don't think I went in the Huggins home. I think I rang the Huggins door bell. Anyway, I yelled for them to call the law that Columbus was cutting Albert up.

Returns to Home

I then went back home. Went in the house. I don't know if I used the front or back door to go in. I went on in the house and went to the south bedroom. I think I saw Columbus as I went through the house. I didn't see anybody but Columbus. Somebody had hold of Columbus and I thought it was Columbus and Albert fighting. It must have been the officer with Columbus.

I went into the bedroom and loaded my shotgun I went into the living room and shot Columbus Hughes. I didn't see any officer until after I had shot. I didn't know what the officer said. I may have shot Columbus through the bedroom door. Columbus was in the dining room when I shot him.

I shot him I guess because I was mad at him. I didn't want him tearing up my house. I didn't have any other reason.

After I shot Columbus Hughes, I don't think I took the empty shell out of the gun. It is a single barrel 12-gauge hammer gun. I didn't reload the gun after I shot Columbus Hughes.

I don't' remember seeing Nettie Epperson or my wife during the fight at all. A policeman took me to the police station, but I don't know which policeman it was.

This statement of five sheets consisting of five and a half pages, is made and signed by me of my own free will and accord, without any threat or promise made by anyone and made by m, knowing and understanding it can be used against me and that I am under no obligation of any kind to make any statement whatever."

Robinson's Statement

The signed statement of Robinson follows:

"I got up about 5 or 5:30 because there was so much noise I couldn't sleep. I went into the front room and said J. D. why don't you go to bed so a guy can sleep? Columbus said, We will go to bed when we want to, etc. Columbus got his knife out. I don't think Columbus was too drunk. He wasn't staggering. As soon as he got his knife out, I tried to grab his hand. He cut me two or three times before I could get hold of his hand and two or three times after.

As soon as the cutting started, J. D. ran. Nettie Epperson Taylor was up too and she ran. After the cutting was over, I went out to my car. Columbus came out to cut me again and I locked the car door from the inside. He went back into the house and said he was going to kill J. D. I drove to the police station.

Columbus was cursing J. D. out all the time they were there. I could hear them. They were in the front room.

The officers hadn't arrived when I left. I sent the officers down and told them to hurry because Columbus had gone back in to kill J. D. J. D. and Columbus had both been drinking some.

I went to bed about midnight. I didn't know Elwood Neeley and Kenneth (Snakes) Baker were at J.D.'s, but I heard someone talking but didn't know who it was.

I don't know if J. D. and Columbus left J.D.'s house during the night. They were noisy before I went to sleep. Then I went to sleep and then I was awakened by the noise about 3 a.m. I guess I must have gone to sleep about 12:30 am. They were still there when I went off to sleep.

Both Women Run

Nettie Taylor and J.D.'s wife ran out about the time the cutting started. I think they went out doors.

I got home about 11:55.

Columbus Hughes, J. D. Jones, Mrs. Jones and Nettie Taylor were at J. D.'s when I got there. No one else came before I went to bed.

I have a room at J.D.'s and have lived there nine years. Columbus roomed with me. He had stayed there three or four months.

In his statement, Sepulveda that Hughes and Jones came to his place about 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning and stayed about thirty minutes. The Mexican said that Columbus wanted to find Jim Hudson. He also said that Jones was a little drunk and that Columbus didn't look like he was drunk. No trouble was caused while the two men were at Sepulvedas the latter said."

Jones was removed from the city jail in the county jail late yesterday morning.