Jackson County IL Archives News.....ARREST OF MURDERER July 13, 1872
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Karima Allison quest@insightbb.com July 11, 2006, 7:26 pm

Carbondale New Era, Carbondale IL July 13, 1872
 

About midnight of 4th inst. Wesley WELLMORE, the murderer of Edward JONES was
arrested near the scene of the tragedy, some five miles from Murphysboro.  It
was believed that WELLMORE would be found in the neighborhood of his
father-in-law’s house, and accordingly, Ben HARRIS and three other men secreted
themselves near the roadside in order to intercept him should be make his
appearance.  Near midnight WELLMORE suddenly approached HARRIS without the
latter noticing him.  The first intimation HARRIS had that the murderer was near
him was the click of the latter’s gun as he cocked it.  HARRIS fully
appreciating his danger cried out "don’t shoot!"  WELLMORE, supposing it to be
one of his own friends, lowered his weapon, when HARRIS sprang upon him and
disarmed him.  The next morning he was taken to Murphysboro and lodged in jail.

The circumstances of the murder of JONES vary a little from the account given in
our last issue.  It appears that for some time a misunderstanding existed
between the two parties.  At the last term of court WELLMORE was indicted for
stealing hogs, and supposed that JONES preferred the complaint against him, but
in this he was mistaken.  About 8’oclock on the morning of the 4th  he went to
JONES’ residence and saw the latter in a stable lot adjoining the house.  A
daughter of JONES, nearly fifteen years of age, and two small boys were the only
other persons upon the premises.  After a few words had passed between the
parties WELLMORE shot JONES with a gun loaded with nine buckshot, the charge
entering his right arm and side.  JONES fell, exclaiming, "I’m killed!" to which
WELLMORE replied:  "Damn you, come out and I’ll give you some more!"  JONES’
daughter, Elizabeth, started to her father’s relief, but the latter motioned her
to go for assistance, which she did. The nearest neighbors were John and W. K.
WILSON, about a quarter of a mile distant.  When the WILSONs arrived at JONES’
house, they found him under a tree, almost insensible, with his two boys hugged
to his breast. A little water revived him, when he said, "Wellmore finally got
the best of me."  After this he sank rapidly, and died in about two hours.

Wellmore is a man about 5 feet 9 inches high, and is said to have been engaged
in another deadly quarrel.  He makes no attempt to conceal his guilt.  He was
examined on Saturday before Justices DONNELLY and KENNEDY.  F. E. ALBRIGHT
appearing as his counsel.

[Page 2, column 2.]




Additional Comments:
Edward JONES was born Bet. 1825 - 1835, in Ohio. His parents were Edward and
Elizabeth JONES.  He married Margaret O. GEARHART 21 May 1857 in Jackson County,
Illinois.

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