The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-13
COLLINS'S SUICIDE.
1T rs CONsIDERED As EVIDENCE
or QUIT.


HAvERHILL, Mass, Feb. lathe sui
eide OF David +. Collins In the Exeter, N. H.,
jail, yesterday morning, is considered sure
evidence of his guilt. He was arrested
Saturday afternoon at Kingston, N. H.,
charged with completely In the burning
OF house at West Newbury, on the mig hit
OF January 30. James M. Addison and
his son William lost their liv es In this
fire.
From the first IL was clear to the minds
OF the West New bury firemen and Others
that the fire was of incendiary origin, and
that the object was TO get the insu rance,
which was great deal above the va lue OF
the building.
When it was found that horse and
sleigh or pung that were seen that night
on the road on which the house was To-
Gated, belonged To the owner OF the build
ing, but few doubted as to who planned
and directed the burning. For time dl-
rect evidence was wanting.
The case was placed in the hands of
State Detective Batchelder, and that Off
Ger followed up every clew until he re-
ceived what he considered sufficient eyi-
dence TO take into custody Oscar ID. Hub
bell, on charge of being one OF the men
seen in the sleigh, near the house, on the
night of the fire. From him, so IL il
tanned, causing his arrest.
The other party, Warren Dearborn, said
to be in the sleigh that night, has disap-
peared, but officers are on his trail and he
can hardly escape capture.
Collins was horse trader, about A
years of age, and, IL reports are true, he
did not have very savory reputation at
Kingston.
Collins was appa rently the arch-con-
splrator. lie owned the horse, owned the
sleigh and furnished the money for the
escape OF his confederates. What his
motive wa5 can, of course, be only con-
jectured, but it is not reasonable TO sup
pose 1t TO be other than TO obtain the $500
insurance on the property. He played
desperate game for small stake and he
lost.
Tne property came into his possession
two years ago, when he furnished money
TO one Parker (arrested by District Officer
Bachelor for stealing harnesses) to pro-
cure counsellor his defence. The prop
erty was verinsured at the start Short
ly after the house was burned down by
accident, but the barn was saved On
this barn he managed to get an insurance
OF 800 by false representation. TIE get
the insurance money was his motive, and
the men who were his alleged tools did
the work regardless Of the occupants OF
the structure.
All theories concerning robbery and
murder have been exploded by the evil
dence gained, as the floor of the barn was
all atire when the flames were first discoy-
cred by child named Stevens, who lives
in house near by, and afterward the
whole neighborhood was aroused. On ar
irving at the scene the whole barn was en-
veloped in flames, and aid was useless.
After being started the flames smould-
cred and filled the building with dense
smoke which stified James Addison and
his son. They were aroused shortly |
before the fire was discovered, as they |
were seen cropping along as the floor
and roof of the barn caved in. An at
tempt was made to quench the flames by |
throwing snow upon them, but these ef- |
forts proved futile, and about $50 all that |
was left was the embers.
Under the guidance of Selectman New. |
ell willing hands went to the rescue, and |
afterward the remains Of Addison and his |
son were found in the front part Of the /
cellar. The arms and legs had been
burned off, all that remained being |
he trunks of the body. They were ten.
ierly cared for and buried the following
lay.
Hubbell Is young man, and is sup
posed TO have been hired by Collins to
ire the building.
What will become OF his case will prob
lbly be decided by District ATTORNEY
Moody. Thus the mystery connected
With the West Newbury tragedy is at last
u falr way of being cleared up.