The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-04
RELEASED By A BULLET.
Tragic Sequel to the Suspension Of the
California National Bank.
SUICIDE OF PRESIDENT ]. II. Collins.
Failing TO Secure Bends on Charge Of Embezzle'
nent the Victim Ends His Life With
Revolver.
Special to THE MoRNtsa CALL


SAN DIEGO. March Sd. W. Collins,
President Of the broken California National
Bank. the funds of which he vas charged
with having embeZz,ed to the amount OF
S20o.oo shot and killed himself in HIS room
at the Hotel Brewster at / 80 O'Clock this
afternoon. Ever since his arrest Mr.. Col
Inns has been in the custody OF Deputy
United States Marshal. His bonds had
been placed at S50,000 high figure. but
one which it was believed he could secure.
Ne referred. however, to avoid the giving
Of bonds until preliminary examination
should be held before Commissioner Ward.
but shortly after noon to-day MIR. Collins
was informed that unless the bonds were
given the Marshal would be compelled to
take him to Los Angeles on the 40 o'clock
train this afternoon. This announcement
appeared to come as a crushing blow to
Collins. He sought his attorney, I. K.
Wilson of Les Angeles, who is still here,
and q number of hurried consultations were
held. J. L. 0'Brien, manager OF the hotel.
= was informed Of tie new turn Of affairs,
and at once teleeraphed 10 his brothers,
George and Harry O'Briee, to come down.
town and finish up the work they had
already begun OF securing bond.
The Last Consultation.
Judge Wilson, Mr. Collins and the Deputy
Marshal then retired to the apartments long
used by Mr.. Collins in the Brewster Their
conversation was, OF course, IN regard to the
matter in hand. but Mr.. Collins gave no IN
dieation of extraordinary depression. lie
was quiet as lie always has been, but
showed that he was somewhat worried over
the prospect of being taken to Los Angeles
prisoner, but his manner Indicated no
desperation whatever. After chat OF few
minutes Judge wilson had occasion TO
leave the room moment and lett Mr.. Col
hrs and DEPUTY Marshal j. +. Realizing in
the rooms together There had been per-
feet understanding between Mr. Collins and
tae Deputy Marshal. the latter using no
harsh means to make his presence offensive.
Therefore after Judge Wilson had departed
tie Marshal took no special note Of the fact
that Mr. Collins also arose and passed from
the large room OF the suite occupied by him
10 4 bathroom. Mr.. Collins was still absent
when Judge Wilson returned. Where is
Mr. CoilinsP" asked Judge Wilson, noticing
his absence. in the Bathroom" answered
The deputy.
The Fatal Bullet.
AT that moment pistol shot was heard
and the TWO men glanced al each O;heT. for
JhatrepoTt OF pistol told 10 them What had
-haplened Both Judge Wilson and the
:depaty at once FASTENED to The bathroom.
They found Mr.. Collins lying at tuli len2th
ontbe bathroom floor. As no fail had been
Heard il was supposed that Mr.. Collins had
eiIhtT sat down or laid down previous to
Shooting, AT his side lay pistol, ere bar
.Iel Cf which was empty MIR. Collins had
evidently placed the pistol into or near his
nfuuth and fired, as the ball had crashed
.thLOugh the roof of his mouth and into his
brain He was SIN quiYerng when found.
:Eut was insensibie. Judge Wilson at once
bp+ quietly caused a physician to be sum-
iIoned, but MI. Collins was beyond human
aid.
. :.Wken Mr.. Collins was arrested he was
scratched for firearms and none were found.
1t Was not Known that he had any in his
possession.
-. Another Account OF the Tragedy.
: From another account it appears that at
lunch Mr. Collins was in his usual spirits,
shaking hands, bowling and chatting pleas
-anllY with friends In the dining-room, and
lie inYited several TO call on him at his
rooms, After lunch Marshal Gard informed
him as kindly as possible that be would be
obliged to take him TO Los Angeles on the
:lr40 clock train, and told him TO pack what
effects he desired to take with him. The
news was blow to Mr.. Collins, as he paled
visably, but gave no other sign of feeling.
This was about 10 minutes before o'clock.
MIR. Collins at once sent for j. Z. o brien,
and Marshal Gard retired to his room,
short distance from the corridor. On the
arrival CT Mr.. pBrien. Mr.. Collins said:
- I'D. Marshal Gard has just informed me
that he is obliged TO take ME 10 Los An
Eees this Afternoon New, l want you to
telephone at once to Harry and George and
tell them 10 hurry I'D and complete the
bonds; but first 60 to Marshal Gard and ask
him TO postpone my departure Until to-mor-
INV afternoon, as by that time l will be
able TO furnish the required ball. and il will
not be necessary for me to 60"
Startled by Shot.
g. Mr.. O'Brien started on his errand and
lid
way TO: Mr.. Collins room, the latter having
also sent for him. Deputy Marshal Rehling
says that after Mr.. 0Brieu's departure
Mr. Collins turned TO his bedroom, as the
ofncer supposed, to pack his vallse- At
that moment Judge Wilson arrived and
stepped to speak moment With the officer.
While they were talking they were startled
by the sound Of a shot lis the immediate
vicinity. Tie officer threw open the hall
aeor,. but all was quiet. Then they darted
into the bedroom. but Mr.. Collins was not
there: Huruedly opening the bathroom
door the cause OF the shot was revealed.
Mr. Collins lay stretched upon the floor be-
side the bathtnb, the blood pouring from
? hrs mouth and a smoking revolver in his
hand. From the position Of his body it is
evident he was sitting on a chair. When
found Ire was lying between the bathtub
and the wall There was not the slightest
evidence of death struggle. The clothing
was not disarranged, the limbs being fully
-sSIelc1eO N1lH NE leEb SiiBDtty apart. Inc
blood had poured from his mouth down
over his forehead in q great pool, and
covered the bathroom floor under his head
and shoulders.
- Charged with Embezzlement.
:. The California National Bank, of which
Collins was President, suspended on No
-. yember TO- and his arrest by United States
Marshal Gard for the enbezZleinent. rs
President and Director, Of 100000 followed
q
General Miller at Washington. Until the
day. before his arrest strong hopes had been
entertained that the bank would resume,
assoc per cent of the stockholders had ar
ranged TO meet the necessary assessments.
The suspension of the bank also carried
:. with IL that OF the California Savings Bank
:. Lie warrant OF arrest had been issued sew
erai days, but was suppressed until an or
der came and then it was served after
breakfast on Collins at the Hotel Brewster
where be resided According to Receiver
Pauly the Treasury Department at Wash
= ington had been in possession for six weeks
III the Information upon which the warrant
was issued, but had withheld action in order
to give the stockholders an opportunity to
Put the bank on its feet
He predicted truly that resumption would
be lmpracticabie under the circumstances
Collins was under $4,000 bail. which he did
not furnish, so he remained in tie custody
= oil Government official
Bad State of Affairs.
:. Among the reports in connection with the
;. suspension was that the bank. had only
=. coo cash on band at The time Of sus-
pension. sum enormously less than the
> last quarterly statement showed also that
IT received large deposits during the very
: last hours 1t was oDen on the day rre-
.yi0us TO suspension. The report that AFT airs
were in very mnddled state was strength
ened on the 9th ult.. when word was re-
81 aceiyed from Comptroller Lacy at Washing
ton that the bank wonld not BE- allowed Ia
- resume. An attachment on suit for Ssi4z
was fled by Receiver Pauly on that day
against the San Diego sun oa a note held
=. by the California National Bank. Walter
q. Smith. formerly proprietor of the Sun