Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-10-22
now regarded as . very suspicious Cir.

now regarded as very suspicious cir.
cumstance.
1t was about midnight that Henry
Collins told me that Mr.. Bradley had
been in but a very few minutes. now
remembered that the body was cold
and rigid when / first went in, and !
fastened away to meet the surgeon
who had made the examination five
minutes later.
in reply to my inquiry he stated that
Bradley must have been dead two hours
when he was called.
'.Have the detectives found any
clew?' he asked.
''Not that am aware Of" replied,
and took my leave.
My first step now was to 60 to an
establishne in which Collins was en-
ployed and inquire for him. did so.
and was told that he had asked and OBJ
tanned leave of absence to visit Tren-
ton l next started for his house,
which was half mile distant. carefully
looking up and down every stree: l
crossed. had made half the distance
when l caught glimpse of the very
man | was looking for.
He was coming toward me on one of
the cross streets, showing that he had
come directly from his house. He car
ried valise, and by his side walked a
small, rough-looking man whom did
not know, and with whom ne was con-
versing earnestly. l went a few steps
to meet them, and was within a few
yards of them before Collins saw me.
"Ah, how are you, Mr.. Collins" l
said.
He started visibly, but on Recognizing
me seemed to regain his composure and
answered my salutation. He would
have passed on, but l detained him by
passing in front of him and opening a
conversation.
Going travelling" said L
Eyes; TO New Haven"
wouldn't it be just as we'll to 60 to
Trenton?" l asked, significantly,
He turned pale. and in 4 voice that
quivered perceptibly said:
''Great Heaven, Mr. Whitmire, what
do you mean now?"
Il mean that You and your friend
must 60 to the station with me-"
| With look OF despair on his white
face that l shall never forget, he
dropped his valise and staggered few
steps to an awning post, which he held
to for support.
At thesame mo ment his companion
turned to dart away, but, luckily, two
men, who had just stopped on the side
walk to talk, stood directly in his path.
and his movements became confused.
reached him in one bound and seized
him by the collar. warning him not tc
resist. He was thoroughly cowed,
while Collins had too little strength left
him to escape.
In five minutes marched them int.
the station, together with the valise,
and had them lockei up in separate
cells. l then told the Captain the whole
story. He was disposed TO think, ut
first, that l had made blunder; but
on questioning the two prisoners, and
especially on examining the valise and
finding large sum of money in it. ha
concluded that had caught the right
men. and so distanced the regular de-
tectives.
1t proved to be so. and the two men
We're duly convicted of murder on
evidence that was beyond dispute. In
deed. when Collins lost all hope of es-
Gaping the gallows, he was so broken
down that he made full confession,
giving substantially the following &C.
count of the CRIME:
The stories of Bradlev's great wealth
had first put it into his head to rob him.
By watching tor a long time from
back window he had discovered the
nature OF the fastenings by which the
back door and gates were secured. He
was not bold enough to undertake the
task alone, but he knew certain bad
character named kevern. to whom he
contided his scheme. describing the
fastenings on Bradley's gate and door
and asking him if he thought he could
force them.
Kevern said he could, and readily en-
tered into the plot They went to work
little after dark one night. when they
knew that Bradley had gone out; but
the fastenings of the rear door resisted
much longer than they had expected,
and they had but fairly succeeded in
entering when Bradley came in at the
front door, locked it. and lighted his
candle.
Determined not to be foiled now,
they rushed upon the old man and
struck him down with the tools they
had been using. This. it seems, was
| between nine and ten o clock.
They then ransacked the house, find
ing considerable money, chiefly in bank
notes. The latter were in disordered
condition. and to make compact bum
die of them, Collins hastily tore in two
the fatal newspaper, which he CHANGED
to have in his pocket, using one-half to
wrap his spoils in. and in his haste
leaving the other on the floor.
In order to examine their plumber at
| leisure they went to the hotel alluded
to, where one of them engaged room
to which he repaired, and in which he
was soon joined by the other. Both of
them were disguised, portion of Col
Inns being false beard
Collins felt so nervous over the awful
affair that night that he would not take