Owen M Jones was born on 11 Jun 1912 to Thomas R. Jones (1869 – 1939) and Lillie Mae Hancock Jones (1875 – 1934). They lived at 648 West Main Street.
On 14 February 1930, William Howard, 24, was shot and killed by Owen Jones following an argument over the ownership of some clothing. The shooting occurred in the garage of George Hancock of 650 West Main Street.
“Howard suddenly became enraged and started toward me with his hand in his pocket threatening me and I pulled my gun and shot twice,” Jones said in telling his story of the shooting.
Howard died on his way to the Mosely Hospital. One of the two shots fired by Jones had penetrated his heart.
Jones was freed on a $1,000 bond on 26 February 1930. Just days later, on March 5, Jones was arrested after jumping into the Ohio River in an attempt to escape from Henderson County Deputies. Three Henderson county deputy sheriffs made a raid on Henderson Island and seized two stills and arrested Jones, but another who jumped into the river was not captured and it was feared that he was drowned.
Owen Jones married Novella Doss in Mt. Vernon, Ind. but after just 3 weeks of marriage, on 10 Sep 1930, Jones shot and killed his young wife and then himself. The shooting was the result of a domestic quarrel, according to Mrs. Sallie Smithhart, 534 Fagan, where they were staying.
Owen Jones was buried in Fernwood Cemetery.
Novella Doss was buried in Greenberry-Rose Cemetery in Central City, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky where she was from.
Her mother, Mrs Charles Stewart, told her daughters unfortunate life story:
“The boy who first wanted to marry her begged me to permit the wedding,” she said, “but I refused. “He then went to my husband who was in ill health and asked his permission. My husband, who has since died, said it was all right because he didn’t have long to live and he wanted our daughter to be taken care of.”
“She was married, then at 13 years of age, afterward she was very unhappy. Her husband never supported her. She lived in rags and in hunger. Her baby boy was born when she was only 13 and now he is being kept by a cousin, George Doss, of near Central City.”
References:
Evansville Courier and Press February 15, 1930
Evansville Journal February 15, 1930
Evansville Press February 15, 1930
Evansville Journal February 26, 1930
Evansville Courier and Press March 6, 1930
Evansville Courier and Press September 11, 1930
Evansville Press September 11, 1930
Evansville Courier and Press September 12, 1930
Evansville Courier and Press September 13, 1930