Sharp County record., 1885-10-29

wanted to be called at three O'CLOCK.
The norter went up at that hour, out
the door was open and the oea haI ii noo nv
been slept in. The other clerk tGiu Ino
ba cave the same room to Mr.. brown
hec3use he wanted a front room.
DO YOU remember the appearance
of Elton?" -, or,,
full black beard. L..
Henry Collins was small MAN. ouU
had no beard. OF course, my suspicious
were fixed on him as soon as L dlscO'-
arad his name on the margin OF the
naw.naper, vet | never dreamed that
he was capable of committing CRIME,
Nv mind underwent a series OF raPlu
changes. One moment | regarded. IL
os almost certain that Henry Collins
had something to do with the murder;
tbo neyt ytmoment would say to myself
if is preposterous; he is no such man.
There are many ways by which this pa
ner might have got into other hands.
He may have lent it to Bradley; or 1t
NAV have fallen from his window or
he NAV have lost it from his pocket.
Wby should he have called my atten-
ton to Bradleys house? Besides, he
has no beard.
On the subject of this beard, it did
not first occur to me that he might have
worn a false one, but it did finally, and
| realized, very soon afterward, what |
now regarded as very suspicious CIR
cumstanCe.
1t was about midnight that Henry
Collins told me that Mr.. Bradley had
been in but very few minutes. now
remembered that the body was cold
and rigid when l first went in, and l
hastened away to meet the surgeon
who had made the examination five
minutes later.
had the luck to find him soon, and
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 l replied,
and took my leave.
Ny first step now was to 90 to an
establishment 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 Iren-
ton. | next started for his house,
which was half mile distant, carefully
looking up and down every street l
crossed. had made half the distance
when | 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-iooking man whom did
not know, and with whom ne was con-
versing earnestly. | went 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 yisibly, but on recogizing
me seemed to regain his composure and
answered nsssalutation. He would
have passed on, but | detained him by
passing in froht of him and opening a
conversation.
Going travelling, said l.
Eyes; TO New Haven." "
"Wouldn't it be Just as well to 60 to
Trentono" | asked, Significantly,
He turned pale, and in voice that
quivered perceptibly said;
"Great Heaven, Mr.. Whitmire, what
do you mean nOw?"
Il mean that you and your friend
must 90 to the station with me. y
With look Of despair on his white
face that | shall never forget, he
dropped his valise and staggered a few
steps to an awning post, which ne held
to for support.
At the same moment 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 to
resist. He was thoroughly cOwed,
while Collins had too little strength left
him to escape.
In five minutes | marched them into
the station, together with the valiSe,
and had them locked up in separate
cells. then told the Captain the whole
story. He was disposed TO think, at
first, that | had made q blunder; but
on questioning the two prisoners, and
especially on examining the valise and
finding large sum of money in it, he
concluded that had caught the right
men, and 50 distanced the regular de-
tectiyes.
1t proved to be so, and the two men
were 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 ac-
count of the crime:
I Il