The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-25
THE DEAD ENGINEER.

AsHTADULA's LAST vicTIM--PARTIcuLARs OF
THE SUICIDE OF CHARLES coLLISs--A Thib-
UTE TO HIS HIGH CHARACTER
Tho death OF Mr. Charles Collins, Chief Engineer Of
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad
created profound sensation in Cleveland. Al hrst
was rumored that he had been murdered but the truth
was soon known, ana large number OF friends went
TO his house. where the fearful deed was done
1t is reported that Mr. Collins wept when he reached
Ashtabula the night oil the accident the Cleveland
Leaier says that he prided himself on the thorough
ness of his work. and just before the disaster he con-
graf ulated himself on the condition OF the road
It's said, continues the Leader, that his friends
knowing his sensitive temperament feared the loss Of
his reason, yet trusted his giant qualities OF nature 10
make the rally lis appetite iaiied him, ana al n'sh'
nothing bat tho OF the terrible Friday night
maestrom OF death present to his troubled mind
Day after day his business associates became
moro and more alarmed for his safety Mr. bre"ers
his trusted assistant had at hIs earnest solicitations
consented TO remain with him during Monday and
Tuesday nights and was surprised at the alarming
state into which his mind had fallen. On Wednesday
Mr.. Collins was brought before the JOINT Legislative
COMMITTEES ana subjected severe cxaInina-
iiou There point brought, out W
the examiner NJ this time in iaannor whien
Mr.. Collins seemed to think unduly criticised MS man
ner vi obtaining reports from his subordinates AZ
this was a upon which he especially pfidei NM
sell IL cut the quick The examination, however,
was as u whole, highly cUdiiable to Inn, as me mem
bers OF the committee attcrward remarked. WIN
tears IN his eyes tho onday before, he had rendered
his resignation the Board OF Directors, saying MS ne
did So II have worked 10: thirty years, Win what
ndety God knows ior the protection safety OF The
public. and the public forgetting all these years
OF service, has turned against me- me Resignation
WAS, of course, not accepted, and the over sensitive
man was assured his view entirely unjust ana
unworthy. but all TO no effect The thought oil pos
slbe injustice still haunted him. On Wednesday
night Mr. Brewer INTENDED 10 20, as he had done
tho two previous nights stay with his cherished
friend at the residence OF tue latter on ST. Clalr
street. But upon calling at the Office ana beng as
surod that he had lett word Tor him. either 10 re-
gard TO the evening concerning the trip OK inspec
ton for Thursday he concluded thai the deceased iad
lett Tor his home Ashlabua where OF late he spent
much OF his time. Thus affairs rested until SATURDAY
morning. when, learning that he was not In Ashlabua.
Mr. Brewer feared evil had befallen HIM, aud,
gong to tho house, he inquired OF the colored man.
went through the house TO the family bedroom and
found the rcnpins OF the dcceased The lace was
badly sainea and presented horribly CHASTITY APP
pearance From the fact that decomposition had a..
ready begun IL inferred by the Coroner that death
took iortycsht hours before, or on lhuTs-
Of Mr. Collins character the Leader says:--
''Ihe scene among Mr. Collins friends at the house
cannot be adequately described. HIS peculiarly
generous and honorable naure bound him very closely
IN tues of friendship to all who knew him well, and
when the news OF his untmey taking oil was known
among the officials OF the road, ut trst there WAS
general feeling ncredulity 10 be followed but 100
soon by the unmistakable evidence OF the terrible
truth and then strong men broke down and wept ike
children.
"rhc deceased was born in Richmond, n Y, in 1895,
and was fifty one years OF age. He was from an old
and highly respected family received nOeral cuuca-
ton ut Of the Eastern colleges, and his pr0les-
souai education and graduation from the RENSSELAER,
Polytechnic Institute Ia this latter institute ne
gave full promise OF the great abilities which he was
destined to DISPLAY IN alter years immediately after
graduation he employed Tor several years IN prac'
teal engineering in various parts OF New England,
anu next took charge OF some important work on tue
Boston and Albany Railroad. He came TO this sec.
Ton OF Ohio 1919 TO take charge OF locating
the Cleveland Columbus, Cincinnati anu Indianapolis
Railroad He engineer also IN It's CONSTRUCTION.
Next he was for time superintendent oil the
gainesville and Ashtabula road and when the
Lake shore ana Michigan southern consolida-
ton was brought about lie was gwen his present
DOS ltion, which has since retained. Besides
his arduous work in connection win the Lako Shore
road he has intervals taken charge oil the con.
strucon otner lines in different parts oi the
country Mr. Collins had Tor years enjoyed the fullest
confidence respect OF all who knew him, either ~
"A business or social way. He was, without doubt, the
greatest railroad engineer IN the United states Com
modore Vanderbilt mad tor years reposed IN Mr.. Col
Inns the fullest Their relation had always leen
intimate and satisfactory TO BOTH When any WORK
was 10 DC performed upon the great lines OF which he
had control Mr.. Collins plans and methods we're
always accepted by the great commander witnoit
question Tue cheapest and best
HIS CHARACTER
was peculiar yet entirely lovabe. There not
single man upon the whole line, from tho track haul
to general manager, who did not possess personal
affection Tor him, and scarcely one knew MN well who
did not she'd the tidngs oil his unnely death.
HIS ideas OF responsibility were scrupulonsy exact
II homo Ngug