Re: Murder of David Roberts
ROBERTS
Posted By: Todd Roberts (email) In Response To: Re: Murder of David Roberts (Robert Christiansen)
Date: 4/29/2012 at 21:08:07
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your quick reply. I have a copy of the original Council Bluffs Nonpareil report on the murder titled "Another Murder" from February 27, 1878.
According to the Nonpareil, Jones was separated from his wife, who owned the farm where they lived. My grandfather rented the farm from Mrs. Jones and subsequently rented it to his brother-in-law Mr. Ed Folsom. On the morning of the murder, my grandfather was bringing home cattle he had purchased from a neighbor when he stopped by the property to find Jones there. Some type of argument ensued during which my grandfather told Jones he must leave the property. As my grandfather left down the road, he turned around to look back and at that moment was shot in the corner of his left eye. Mr. Jones then fled the area, with the newspaper reporting "David Dunkle, Mike Goodwin, Jack White, and another man whose name we could not ascertain, started at once in pursuit."
From the article titled "The Murder of David Roberts" dated February 28, 1878, witness testimony stated the following:
"Jonathan Jones had himself been staying at the house for the past few days, Mrs. Jones having left him, and no one being there for company. On Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock, Mr. Roberts rode up on the house and halted, whereupon Jones told him to take a hay-rake he had left on the premises home. Mr. Roberts desired to know what he meant by that, and Jones answered that he was "going to run the place". Roberts then remarked that he could not, for, said he, I am going to run it."
It appears that this was primarily a property dispute. Our family always believed it was a crime of passion over Mr. Jones wife, but reports of the time show that to not be the case. Jones was acquitted on a plea of temporary insanity, despite admitting to the killing. Another interesting fact is that David Roberts and Jonathan Jones had previously been very good friends, and had frequently socialized and participated in "numerous pastimes and sports" together.
Some other names that may help with your question of Mr. Jones:
-His nephew was Orlando Wright from whom he borrowed the murder weapon.
-Another nephew named Alonzo Wright
-Jones had been staying with a man named John Ransom after separating from his wife.
-Jonathan Jones' father was a Mr. Green Jones of Loveland Mills (or Rockford Township...both are mentioned and I'm not sure if they are one in the same)I would be very interested in knowing where he is buried. My great grandfather (David Memphis Roberts III and my grandfather, Lyle Clifford Roberts are buried within feet of each other in Rose Hill cemetary in Missouri Valley, Iowa, but I am unsure where he is buried nor am I sure where his father and mother, David and Mary (Phillips) Roberts are buried. I would be very grateful for this information.
Also, would the immigration record provide the location (city, county, etc.) in Wales from where David Roberts originated? I would like to continue to trace my family history in Wales, and this would be very helpful.
Thanks again,
Todd
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