The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-09-04
A NUMEROUS MANIAC.
Robert Collins, Of Davenport, in Fit
of Insane Jealousy Assaults his
Wife With n Revolver.

Davenport ran wild with excitement
between and o'clock Yesterday after
noon, over what had been reported to the
police headquarters triple murder on
the bluffs. AS the rumors spread they
were exaggerated. until mob OF idle
spectators crowded about the police sta>
ton. The Davenport Gazette of this
morning gives the following account of
the alleged bloody affair
One report had it that the house where
in the alleged fearful tragedy had been
enacted was streaked with gore, and that
| the young children had been massacred
with aboriginal heartlessness. A second
messaged received at the station sOme'
what modified the original one, relieving
it somewhat of its tragic intensity, but
nevertheless picturing it as sanguinary
deed Immediately upon receipt of the
announcement that murder had been
committed, Chief Kessler jumped iato the
patrol wagon and drove with all possible
speed to No. 1908 LeClaire street. the
residence of Mr.. Robert B. Collins, a
carpenter about IS years of age, who has
resided in Davenport for long period of
time Mrs. Collins, who was reported
murdered was still in the land
of the living, and her sons and
daughters were enjoying their usual
good health. Immediately after the fam
ily trouble Collins ran from the house,
jumped into his buggy, gave u yell and
drove rapidly away. The officer LETT and
had not reached the station before a sec
ond message was received. Returning,
Collins was found at Ills home, placed un.
der arrest and conveyed to the station.
His wife had sought refuge in an adj oin>
ing residence. Being Intercepted she
stated she did not desire to prosecute her
husband but preferred that he be watched
or locked up SO that he could inf1ict no
further injury upon her. AS near rs could
be ascertained the particulars of the af>
fair are the following: Statements of
members of the household indicate that
Collins is insanely jealous of his wife, acN
cusing her of intidelity, but nothing dis
paraging to her reputation for charity
and good conduct is known to the public
and it is fair to presume that MIR. Collins
charges are based on an imaginary foHn-
dation After some pickering he APP
preached Mrs Collins with drawn
revolver and throwing up his hand
struck her heavy blow just
beneath the left eye. Her children came
to her assistance and brushed the revol-
yer aside as it was lifted second time
Had it not been for this timely interven>
, ton the consequences might have been
serious. Mother and children then rushed
from their home out into the street to
avoid any further possible danger. When
Collins returned after leaving be sat down
in the front room and seemed calm and
pacified. Mrs. Collins face presents a
fearful looking appearance, being bruised
9 and swollen. There has been domestic
broils since last April, according to the
statement of one of the sons, during
which month the first of these Jealous
: spells was observed. Since then they
t have occurred at intervals, but it is I'm
q derstood that never before has personal
violence been attempted. The revolver
which Collins used is now in the pos
| y
E old lady, who slowed it away in heI
, bed and locked herself in her room, re,
fusing to open the door when the officers
demanded admittance. Had not the fam
ily objected the door would have been
t broken open. The old lady refused to
e make an explanation of her conduct, SIM
ply stating that it was her room and that
: the police had no business in it. Some
of the children attributed to her to a Ger
tain degree of the domestic troubles. Mr..
e Collins willingly accompanied the officers
and when Intercepted, replied: II have
to carry a revolver for my own prOtec'
ton. | have probably acted little hasty
but these things have occurred before il
e town but nothing was ever said or done
, about them" Mrs Collins was consulted
by the police last night rs to what she
proposed doing. and she decided to file
: a complaint this morning before The
r county commissioners and have him cX>
. amined rs to his insanity, Mr.. Collins
was held in the county Jail last night
Pc DR.. Grant, who has been his physician fOl
many years. thinks he is mentally de
e ranged