| Notes |
- Morgan County Press September 24, 1920
Homicide at Petros
On Monday morning, September 20th, Dave Jones met Vard Stonecipher inthe public road near Stonecipher's home and after a few words hadpassed between them, Jones emptied the contents of a shotgun into theStonecipher, killing him instantly. Joneones was so near his victim whenhe fired that the gun set Stonecipher's clothes afire and when friendsarrived they had to use water to extinguish the fire. No reason isassigned except an old grudge of long standing which had existedbetween them. Jones was taken to Wartburg and turned over to SheriffScott. He seems to be brooding over his crime. Tuesday morning heasked the sheriff for a knife to trim his toenails, but instead ofusing it for that purpose, he slashed his legs intending to severe alarge artery and bleed to death before aid could reach him. He wastaken to Kingston for safekeeping.
Note: According to Raymond Jones, grandson of Dave Jones, VardStonecipher had been stealing Dave's whiskey. Another source says thegrudge was over a farm animal........C.D.S.
From Judy Gooch:
Chester,
You must forgive me for not getting to read through the Jones familyuntil now. It has been rather hectic here with Kimberlee's highschool graduation and all. Wanted to wait til I had some time toreally read through it. I am enjoying it very much and will give youcomments .
The civil war letters were really interesting.
I haven't really got to get through half of it but want to makecomments as I go along so I don't forget.
You have done a great job. I think being able to compile all theinformation that you have in this format is just wonderful.
Thought you might find this of interest on David Jones that marriedBuena Vista Stonecipher:
"State of Tennessee, Morgan County Circuit Court, October Term,1920"
The Grand Jurors for the State of Tennessee upon their oaths present:That Dave Jones on the 20th day of September 1920 in the State andCounty aforesaid, with guns and pistols did unlawfully, willfully,maliciously, felonously, deliberate, premeditately and with maliceaforesight did shoot, kill and murder one Vard Stonecipher, therebycommitting Murder in the First Degree, contrary to the State andagainst the peace and dignity of the State".
Emily Stonecipher, Perry Stonecipher, Ezra Goddard, John Justice,George Armes, Jack Nelson, Roy Olds, Mrs. Ezra Goddard, Miss KateGibson, Jim Cox, Sam Patterson, Sam Stonecipher, Sam Davis and WillWilkerson were summoned as witnesses for the state.
Dave Jones pleaded not guilty to murder and threw himself upon themercy of the Court. On October 21, 1920, the Court decided that theMorgan County Jail was unsafe and that the defendant must be sent tothe jail at Kingston in Roane County. Feelings were "running high".
In December 1920, Dave Jones was found not guilty for reasons ofself-defense.
Source: Mary Howe Underwood, The Stonecipher Tree, p72
In Mrs. Underwood's book she has an article about that morning andthat Vard Stonecipher was found by his wife, Emily Wilson, with apitchfork in the back. I'm not sure who she attributed the articleto. The story is well-known with the Stoneciphers and Jones'.
Is this rather sensitive material that you don't want to put in ?????
Judy
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1866 - 1946 (80 years)
Siblings
