HUSBAND ARRESTED AFTER MYSTERIOUS
SHOOTING TO DEATH OF WOMAN IN HOME
Elmer Jones, At Inquest insists wife shot self .But Testimomy
forntier War nurse could not have fired Fatal Bullet.
BRIDE of MONTH
County Authorities,Scenting Murder, Recalled Doubt in
Previous Mate's death
Information charging
Elmer Jones with the murder of his wife was being prepared late this afternoon,
by A.L. Commons County Attorney. Mr. Commons said the charge would be filed
in the count of J.W. Kieff, justice of the Peace.
Elmer Jones 44, years old, was arrested and placeed in jail today for investigation
,in connection with the mysterious death of his wife, Mrs. May Jones 32,
after an inquest had been held and a coroner's jury recommemded he be held.
Jones asserted his wife committed suicide shooting his self, with a 32
automatie pistol. County Authorition declared they were convinced Jones
killed the woman.
The shooting occurred about 11:30 o'clock last night at the Jones home,
105 G street southeast, after the family had retired for the night.
Officer Called to Home
A.L. Commons,
county Attorney and L.F. Simpson, Sheriff were called to the Jones home
shortly after the shooting to make an investigation. The prosecutor ordered
that an inquest be held today befor Justice George H.Sutherland.
Testimory at the inquest tended to show that Mrs. Jones wound could not
have been self-inflicted.The bullet entered her abdomen on the left side
passed through the lower part of her heart, ravging downward and emerging
on the right side. Testimony showed it would have been imposible for her
to have shot herself with the weapon in her right hand and that it was
not probable, she would have held the pistol in her left hand.
Members of the coroner's jury were G.W. Rice, O.W. Fox, Ira Mann, L.N.
Martin, J.B. Dryer, and W.A. wagoner.
Husband Questioned
Jones showed no signs of grief at the hearing. He testifled he was sleeping
in the bed, with his wife on her left side, but that he did not hear any
shot. He said he heard her scream, and that he jumed from the bed lighted
a gas lamp and attempted to learn the trouble. He said his wife was dying
and that he attempted to get her to talk , but that she did not reply.
He said the pistol belonged to her, but that he kept it under his pillow
at night.
Mrs. Jones was May Owings of Grain Vally Mo. befor her marriage to Jones.
They were married Dec. 17 last. Jones previous wife had been dead only
a few weeks when he married again. Jones was detained for investigation
at the time if his previous wifes death if was learned today, but investigtor
was unable to uncover evidence against him.
Served as War Nurse
Mrs. May Jones seved as an overseas nurse in the World War. The gun with
which she was shot was said to have been one she carried while in France.
According to Jones testimony, he had known the woman only 24 hours when
he married her.
Dr. W.B. Smith county physician who examened the wound , testified at the
inquest that the wound would cause almost instant death and that in his
opinion, there would be no screaming, it would have been impossible for
Mrs. jones to have fired the shot with the pistol in her right hand. Dr.
Smith said and not probable she could have done it with her left hand.
The phyician said that if she had held the weapon in her left hand, the
gun would have been gripped in the hand or nearby after death.
DAUGHTER TESTIFY
Jones and his two daughters, Fay 15 and Maud 17, testified the gun was
found on the womans right side. V.D. Cooper undertaker, said he and his
assistant, Fred James, werecalled to the Jones home about 11:30 o'clock
last night. He said that upon their arrival Jones told him,His wife just
commitied suicide. Cooper said that after in ??? the body, he inqiured
where the gun was Jones processed on front a dresser drawer, where he said
he had placed it, Cooper testified.
Bullet found on floor Sheriff Simpson told of finding the bullet on the
floor under the bed. After entering from the body it passed through the
bed clothing and mattress the Sheriff said , Fay Jones, daughter said her
stepmother had been ill, but that she appareatly was feeling improved that
night when she (Fay) went to bed.She said she was sleeping in the next
room. She was awakened by her sister Maud, who told her there had been
a shot she testified. She said they rushed into the other room to find
their father holding their stepmother in his arms.
NO TROUBLE ,GIRLS SAY
Maud, testimony was practicaly the same as her sister's. She said the gun
was discovered under the covers after Cooper had drawn them to one side.
Their stepmother was flat on her backin the bed and the pistol was on her
right side, both grils said,both testified their their father and
stepmother had no trouble.
Other testimony was by Mrs. Gruter Hahua and F.M. Tnong Chief of police
showed Mrs. Jones a few weeks ago had left Jones and went to Kansas City,
for several days, later returning.
FEB. 1- 1927
E. JONES ENTERS NOT GUILTY PLEA
Elmer Jones,
charged with murdering his wife pleaded not guilty when arraigned today
befor J.W. Kieff, Justice of the Peace, who will sitias examining magistrate
in Jones preitminary hearing. The not guilty plea was entered by Felix
Church, whom Jones has retained as his Attorney, at Church's request, took
Jones to the lawyer's office for a conference. Justice Kieff set the pretiminary
hearing for 9 O'clock Thursday morning. The hearing probably will be held
in the county courtroom at the courthouse in order to have more room. A
crowd is expected at the hearing. Jones is held in the county jail
with out bail. Murder is a non bailable offense.