Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-04
NOTHING TO LIVE FOR
The San Diego Bank Fail
ure's Tragic Sequel
President Collins Sends q Bul.
let Into His Brain.
The Tragedy Enacted at His Rooms
ut the Hotel Brewster.
The Prospect Of Going to Jail Caused
Him to Do the Rash Act-He Could
Not Get Bail-Peeps at His
Past Life.
Associated Press Dispatches.

SAN Diego, March "a few minutes
after O'Clock this afternoon the COM
munity was electrified by the report
that j. w. Collins, president of the
defunct California National bank, had
shot himself. Crowds gathered on the
street and hurried to the Hotel Brewster,
where Collins had been residing for the
past eighteen months. 1t soon became
known that Collins, Gen. Eli H. Murray
and Attorney General Hart had been at
lunch together at the Brewster. Collins
looked very pale, but chatted pleasantly.
He was asked how he was feeling, and
replied: "Oh, about as we'll as could be
expected"
A few minutes later Collins left the
table and went direct to his room. Pres
emily the report of pistol was heard,
and when the door of the room was
opened Collins was found lying on the
floor with blood streaming over him and
a pistol in his hand. He expired almost
Immediately. He did not live long
enough to speak to any one.
The deed was not wholly unexpected.
He had evidently been laboring under
great nervous strain and mental depres-
sion for some time.
About two years ago his entire family
were drowned in the bay, and now that
he was financially ruined, with charge
of embezzlement hanging over him, 1t
is thought he was where he considered
he had nothing to live tor.
The California National bank, which
closed it's doors November 18th last, was
considered one of the strongest institu-
tions financially in Southern California.
1t had q paid-up capital of $100,O
The officers of the bank claimed that
the suspension was due to shrinkage
in deposits and TO temporary inability
to release it's notes and accounts. Ma.
tional Bank Examiner Chamberlain
took charge of the bank, and Mr.. Pauly
Of Los Angeles was appointed receiver
by the treasury department.. As the
result Of the latterAS nvsetiGations a
warrant was sworn oAt fcs Collins q az
rest on the charge of appropriating
5000, 900 of the banks funds, andit was
also shown that deposits were being re-
ceived up to the time of closing it's
doors.
Ever since his arrest Mr.. Collins has
been in the custody of deputy United
States marshal. His bonds had been
placed at $50, 900. a high figure, but one
which it was believed he could reach.
He preferred, however, to avoid giving
bonds until the preliminary examina-
tion should be held before Commissioner
Ward but shortly after noon today he
Was informed that unless bonds were
given. the marshal would be compelled
to take him to Los Angeles on the 40
train this afternoon.
The announcement appeared to be a
crushing blow to Collins. He sought
his attorney, T. K. Wilson, of Los An
geles, who is here, and number of hur-
ried consultations were held. j. E.
O'Brien, manager of the Hotel Brewster,
was informed of the new turn of affairs,
and at once telegraphed his brothers,
George and Harry O'Brien, to come
down and finish up the work they had
already begun, of securing bond.
Judge Wilson, Mr.. Collins and the
deputy marshal then retired to the
apartments long used by Mr.. Collins in
the Brewster. The conversation was,
of course, in regard to the troubles in
hand, but Mr.. Collins gave no indica-
ton of extraordinary depression. He
was quiet, as he always has been, but
showed that he was somewhat worried
over the prospect of being taken to Los
Angeles as prisoner, but his manner
indicated no desperation whatever.
After chat of few minutes, Judge
Wilson had occasion to leave the room
moment, and left Collins and the deputy
marshal, j. F. Recalling, together.
There had been 2 perfect understand
ing between Collins and the deputy, the
latter using no harsh means to make
his presence offensive. Therefore, after
Judge Wilson had departed, the marshal
took no special note OF the fact that Mr..
Collins arose and passed from the large
room OF the suite occupied by him to
the bathroom. Mr.. Collins was still
absent when Judge Wilson returned.
sWhere is Mr.. Collins ?" asked Judge
Wilson, noticing his absence.
Elm the bath room," answered the
deputy.
At that moment pistol shot was
heard. Both men at once hastened to
the bath room, where they found Mr..
Collins lying at full length on the bath
room floor. Asno fall was heard, it was
supposed that he had either sat down or
laid down previous to shooting. At his
side lay pistol, one barrel of which
was empty.
Collins had evidently placed the pis-
tol into or near his mouth and fired, as
the ball had crashed through the roof
of his mouth into the brain. He was
still quivering when found, but was in
sensible.
Judge Wilson at once, but quietly,
caused physician to be called, but Col
lins was beyond human aid.
When Collins was arrested he was
searched for firearms and none were
found. 1t was not known that he had
any in his possession.
Collins was interested in number OF
enterprises for the development of the
southern part of the state, and was al
ways considered a wealthy man. He
came to San Diego from Cheyenne,
where he was president OF bank that
was at one time also financially embar-i
rassed.
Collins is reported to have been called
many years ago to Cheyenne by NJ. E.
Post, from his Pennsylvania home, to
enter Posts bank. The latter was