The Evening critic., 1883-04-06
COLLINS, EEFRGrs.
what BnrtIett Says About Finding
Them and His Response 10 DR..
Collins, IuterrOgatarlcs.

Them and His Response 10 Dr.
COIifns' InterrOgatorics.
The Jeanette Board convened this
morning at 1890 o'clock. Tho Judge-Ad-
vocate stated that he had received from
DIR. Collins, brother Of tho late Jerome Col
lins, communication inclosing 35 ques-
tions, which he wished to be put TO the
witnesses.
Fireman Bartlett was called to the stand
and in answer to questions said he had no
knowledge of any trouble between Collins
and Melville. He thought Collins had
always been treated so far as he knew the
same as the other officers. lie never heard
Captain De Long use an unkind word to-
ward Collins.
Witness was then asked "Did ho (Col-
lins) request you, during the retreat, that
in case any accident occurred and he should
die, you should take care of his papers?"
Yes, sir"
Witness was present when Mr.. Collins
body was found. The body was taken out
of the snow, under the direction of Ninder-
man and himself. Searched the remains,
and put all his effects into handkerchief,
and
Turned the Same Over to Melville.
The articles consisted of one small note
book, q few packages of crumbled written
matter, which had been carried in his
pockets number of beads, few nails and
some cartridges, two or three pocket.
handkerchiefs and small money purse.
There were not more than ten sheets of
paper in the package which tho witness
took from the body. Witness stated that
he expected from the conversation he had
with Collins that he would find more papers
than the package contained.
Witness was asked how the paper, ETC.,
found on the body of deceased compared
with the description furnished the Navy
Department by Melville and answered that
he had not seen Melville's statement. Wit
ness was present when q cross was found
upon Collins neck, and Melville remarked
that he did not know whether to bury the
cross with the body or take it off and send
it to his relatives. He concluded, however,
that it was part of his religion and decided
to bury it with him.
witness Found the Cross Himself.
[Note-It will be remembered that DR.. Col.
lins charged that Melville, whom he discovered
the cross on Mr.. Collins neck, began a fusi!
lade OF eacrilegious expressions. Thero has
been no testimony TO substantiate DR.. Collins
statement, and IT is left now with the Doctor
to give to the country the name OF the party
who furnished him the information.]
Witness said he had no conversation with
Melville ON this particular subject since his
return home, but had general talk with
him about the same as bo has with other
people. When asked his relations with
Melville while in Siberia, witness said their
relations were generally friendly.
Witness opinion was that verything
was done that could be done to rescue De
Longs party. If Dauenhower had been
| permitted to go ON his ssearch at the time he
| proposed it, he did not believe De Longs
party then could have been saved
Witness never made any statement to
any one in Siberia any different from that
which he had made before this Court. Wit
ness knew of no papers which Collins had
on his person during the retreat other than
those which he found upon his body.
| With his subsequent knowledge of the
country and experience in travel witness
believed that the trip to Bulun could have
been made sooner than was done, but ii
would have been attended with great suffer.
ing and hardships. No one was prevented
from making a search save in general
way. Everyone in the whaleboat party
had ut some time expressed a willingness tC
make search. Lieutenant Dauenhowel
did volunteer to commence search, and
did make search of two or three days
duration.
| Witness did not know of any articles be
longing to Mr.. Collins that were concealed
or destroyed.
| At this point the court having no further
| questions to ask the witness. adjourned.