Lynchings on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore: Sam Jones, 1934

Sam Jones  
Somerset County, Maryland

Sam Jones was nearly lynched in Somerset County, Maryland in January 1934. He was suspected of murdering a white woman, but later aquitted by a grand jury. Jones was around 55- 65 years old at the time of his arrest, and worked as a farm hand. 

On December 31, 1933, tenant farmer Fred Brumbley returned to his home in Marion Station, Maryland to find his wife Margaret murdered, having been stabbed in the head several times. Mr. Brumbley promptly informed Somerset County Sheriff Luther Daughtery, who arrested Sam Jones and his 26 year old  son James on suspicion of the crime. The former Jones had been seen close in proximity to the Brumbley house around the time of the murder. The two were questioned by police over the murder, but both claimed to have no knowledge, and were soon released. However, discovery of bloody fingerprints by a Baltimore detective brought in to investigate the crime led to the rearrest of the father and son. While James was re-released soon after, his father was whisked away to the jail in Baltimore for his own safety. As George Armwood had been lynched in Somerset County only a few months before, it was speculated the police were being particularly reserved about their release of arrest details out of fear of another lynching, despite their contrary claims. Later reports indicated that Jones had been removed from Somerset County due to rumors of a 500 person mob forming in Marion Station.

Sam Jones was further questioned about the murder in the Baltimore jail. The information he divulged resulted in Baltimore detectives returning to the shore to aid the investigation several times. In mid-January, Somerset County's grand jury was recalled to hear evidence for the case. 15 to 20 witnesses were called before the court, including James Jones. However, it soon became clear that several witness testimonies conflicted with one another, including James's, who was arrested for perjury after his statement was given due to its difference from that given to the investigators. Bloody pants had also been discovered at the senior Jones's house. Sam Jones remained in Baltimore for this stage of the hearing, but ended up being indicted by the jury for murder. In early February, Jones was returned to Somerset County for his trial, and placed in the Princess Anne jail, site of George Armwood's lynching. His trial was set for February 6, where he testified to being at the home of a friend the night of Margaret Brumbley's murder. He also acknowledge that the pants found at his house belonged to him, but that he could not account for the blood on them. Sheriff Daughtery also testified that the pants were likely planted in Jones's home. After three hours of deliberation, the jury declared Jones "not guilty," and he was released. Judge Robert Duer warned the trial's spectators from partaking in any "demonstration," but the verdict was generally well received.

"Suspects in Shore Murder Released," Baltimore Sun, January 2, 1934.

"Officers Close In on Maryland Woman Killer," Washington Post, January 2, 1934.

"Maryland Farm Woman's Death Baffles Police," Washington Post, January 3, 1934.

"Eastern Shore Pair Rearrested," Washington Post, January 3, 1934.

"Mrs. Margaret Brumbley Found Murdered Sunday Night at Marion Home," Crisfield Times, January 5, 1934.

"Arrest in Shore Murder Deferred," Baltimore Sun, January 6, 1934.

"Shore Murder Negro Witness Disappears," Baltimore Sun, January 7, 1934.

"Maryland Killing Remains Mystery," Washington Post, January 7, 1934.

"Negro Jailed Here in Shore Murder Case," Baltimore Sun, January 8, 1934.

"Shore Murder Suspect Taken to Baltimore," Washington Post, January 8, 1934.

"Negro Held for Murder," New York Times, January 8, 1934.

"May Press Probe of Shore Murder," Baltimore Sun, January 9, 1934.

"Negro Quizzed in Murder," Baltimore Sun, January 10, 1934.

"Negro is Arrested on Murder Charge," Crisfield Times, January 12, 1934.

"Jury is Recalled at Princess Anne," Washington Post, January 16, 1934.

"Lane Ready to Aid in Lynching Probe," Baltimore Sun, January 17, 1934.

"Grand Jury Ends Probe of Armwood Lynching Here on Tuesday, Jan. 23," Marylander and Herald, January 19, 1934.

"Somerset Grand Jury is Recalled," Crisfield Times, January 19, 1934.

"Shore Jury to Get Lynch Case Today," Baltimore Sun, January 23, 1934.

"Shore Jury Ends Probe of Lynching," Baltimore Sun, January 24, 1934.

"Somerset Jury Probes Brumbley Murder Case," Baltimore Sun, January 25, 1934.

"Jurors Ponder Stories of 42 in Lynch Case," Washington Post, January 25, 1934.

"Lynching Case is Closed by Somerset Jury," Baltimore Sun, January 26, 1934.

"Grand Jurors Fail to Indict in Lynch Case," Washington Post, January 26, 1934.

"Murder Trials on Docket at Feb. Court," Marylander and Herald, February 2, 1934.

"Grand Jury Returns Twelve Indictments," Crisfield Times, February 2, 1934.

"Shore Grand Jury Closes Lynch Case," Afro-American, February 3, 1934.

"Asserts Negro Will Be Tried in Somerset," Baltimore Sun, February 4, 1934.

"Princess Anne Trial in Slaying Due Tomorrow," Washington Post, February 4, 1934.

"Negro Taken Back to Shore for Trial," Baltimore Sun, February 5, 1934.

"Trial of Sam Jones Adjourned Till Today," Baltimore Sun, February 6, 1934.

"Princess Anne Calm at Trial of Killing Case," Washington Post, February 6, 1934.

"Shore Negro Freed by Jury in Murder Case," Baltimore Sun, February 7, 1934.

"Sam Jones Cleared of Murder Charge; Collins Guilty of Manslaughter," Marylander and Herald, February 9, 1934.

"Sam Jones Aquitted on Murder in Circuit Court Tuesday," Crisfield Times, February 9, 1934.

"Jones Innocent, Says MD. Jury," Afro-American, February 10, 1934.

"Bloody Clothes Are Planted in Jones's Home," Afro-American, February 17, 1934.