The morning call., 1893-03-21
HE WAS so GOOD
George Collins Motives
in Dispute.
THE WALL WILL CONTEST.
The Son-in-Law Claims That Mrs.
Buckley Was the Cause
of Ii All.
HE WALL WILL CONTEST.

The Wall will contest was resumed yes
terday morning before Judge Coffey.
The first witness called was Mrs. E. G.
Borden. who testified TO an extended ac-
Quaintance with the decedent, Mrs. Della
Wall. whom she regarded as of sound mind,
but she said she was not sure that she
might not have been out of her head at
times when the witness was away from
her.
At the time Mrs. Wallis son died she told
the witness that she felt very bitter toward
Mrs. Buckley because the latter had tried
to persuade her not to let her daughter, the
contestant, know anything about the death
of her brother.
George Collin. the husband of the con-
testant and, according To all accounts, the
chief figure in the little drama both before
and since Mrs. Wallis death, was next
called to the stand, and his testimony was
long and rambling and extended TO many
topics and over several States and Terri
tories.
Chris Buckley and Lucky Baldwin and
other people he had met during long and
checkered career came in for share of
comment during his testimony.
He said he didn't know Mrs. Wall init
mately While he was courting her daughter,
because the old lady seldom came into the
parlor. He was first introduced to his
future wife at the Palace Baths, at which
resort he was then holding down the posi-
ton OF swimming instructor. After their
marriage he used frequently to see the de-
cedent, and their relations were more than
amicabe. In fact the old lady had been
known to-. metaphorically, fall upon his
neck and had told him she didn't know
what she would do without him.
Some time after they were married mis-
wife went temporarily to stay with her
mother. and when he went to visit her he
was met by Mrs. Wall and Mrs Buckley,
whom he charges with having caused all the
mischief. Mrs. Wall told him she had
heard all about his other wife and children,
and that she didn't want him around any
more. Just then Collin heard his wife call
ing him from the stairs and he flew to her
arms. The same story about the first wife
and children had already been told to his
wife, and the two compared notes and
agreed that Mrs. Buckley had invented the
yarn and, of course, had some sinister
motive in doing so.
Collin then went on to say that after
while he succeeded IN convincing his
mother-in-law that Mrs. Buckley had in
vented the story out of whole cloth, so that
just previous to her death Mrs. Wall fully
trusted him again.
Then the witness passed on to the circum-
stances attending the death of Mrs Wall.
and 1t was here that he got in his fine work.
81 was summoned to her bedside "'he
said, "and she asked me to change her
position, 80 l lifted her up and turned her
around, and She murmured, On. George,
how good you are.
Then / thought it was my duty to tell
her what l thought, so l says to her. Mrs.
Wall, | ought to tell you that your last
hour has come. for you're surely going
TO die
II didn't say anything about the will,
because 1t would have been very unoe-
coming in me TO do so. But of her own
accord she said to me, says she. George,
for Gods sake, 60 for the priest Mrs.
Buckley has made me wrong my daughter,
and | want to undo it, For Gods sake,
George, hurry for the priest"
Was anybody else in tine room when
Mrs. Wall said this" was asked.
No; just herself and me. that's all"
The witness then continued. Before
she died | moved her again, and she SAID,
on, George, you are so good aud some
one OF the women folks in the room said.
why shouldn't ne be goodi he gets all
you've got.
That ended his direct examination, ana
Matt J. Sullivan then took hold of him
and commenced rather searching cross
examination.
Collins confessed that he had once served
term in the Oregon Penteutiary for kill
ing man, but said that it was done IN self
defense. He also admitted that he had been
married to a woman in Oregon, who had
giAen birth to a child soon after her mar
rage and he deserted her, and she obtained
a divorce on the ground of desertion, he
he couldn't say whether or not extreme
cruelty had also been added as q cause of
action.
lie mad been a swimming teacher for
about eight years and during the winter
months had got odd Jobs, and had often
called upon eX-Boss Buckley, who was
friend of his, for assistance, and always got
1t. He had built up route while canvass
ing for a weekly paper and wnen hard
pressed had always been able to eat lunch
with Mrs Wall. He had also been financial
assistant at the hOkey-pokey game ca rTied
on in the rooms of the Baldwin Hotel, be-
ing given this position by Jake Rudolph
and Jete DriscOll.
He Indignantly denied having taught his
wife to drink to excess and also that he had
ever seen her under the influence of liquor.
lie argued quite leaTnedy with Mr.. Sulli-
van as 10 what stage IF hilaTity may be de-
noted as one Of intOXicaton.
In the afternoon nOnsGit was asked and
denied, after which Sullivan took the stand
de testified that be was called in by Mrs.
wan and given instructions as to the draw
ing Of a will.
He stated that she was of sound mind
and that she alleged as her reason for dis
posing Of much of her property 10 outside
parties, that her daughter was married to a
worthless man who would soon dissIpate
his wife's money, and that he had already
taught her TO drink. For these reasons she
lett much OF her pros erty in trust for the
benefit OF her daughter and grandson, nam
ing her mother and the witness as trustees.
Mrs. Buckley testified to the same effect
In regard 10 Mrs. Wallis reasons for cutting
of Collin and tying up the property.
On crOss-eXaminRiion she denied ever
having given Mrs. Wall whisky. claiming
that Mrs. Mclaughlin. a former witness,
was mistaken IN saying that she had done
SO. and adding that Mrs. Wall never drank
liquor except as medicine.