Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-10
KILLING OF COLLINS.
THE RECENT MOODY TRAGEDY AT
THE FOOT OF DIN "CHEAr.v
Ham Collins, the victorian Noon
shiner and Desperate, slain In
seif-Defcnce ny Charles siaven-
Arrest Of the Latter.


MONTERREY. HIGHLAND COUNTY
VA. March Especial -Since reporuns
the killing OF the desperado Ham COZ
Inns. by Charles siayen. on Cheat Mouh-
tain. Saturday, the I'd. In which IT APP
reared that slaven was the sggressof'
have interviewed one OF the gentlemen
comprising the Coroners jury. which rem
dered the verdict that Ham Collins came
10 his death from two gunshot-wounos'
fred from a Winchester rife in the hanus
OF Charles slaven.
From this gentleman learned the FOL
lowing facts, taken es evidence. ana upon
which the jury found their verdict: nam
Collins. his son, and Peter Kramer hao
been to Beverly, w. Va. where 'ney
bought a five-galIon keg OF whiskey. WIN
which they were returning on SATURDAY
all three Of them being more or less IN
toxicated. Late in the evening they
passed the lumber-camp on top Oh
Cheat" where the elder Collins took oc-
cas,on 70 exhibit a large and dangerous
looking knife.
CoWARDLY ASSAULT.
Following the Staunton and Parkers-
burg pike. east, toward their homes, near
the foot OF the mountain, the trio WERE
oyertaken by Jasper Warner, VINO ma.
been working at the lumber-camp. anu
had started on his way home 10 spenu
Sunday. He partook Of some OK tnei,
whiskey. and all went well enough untli
nearing home. when Collins. who had
fallen behind Warner, without worn
felled him to the ground with dow
and followed 1t up by beating MN IN =
most horrible manner. and wouia IN al.
probability have killed him, had IL nov
been for the interference OF others oi ,na
marty. who went back and made Coinns
desIst. This happened on the road near
the home Of Gratz Slaven, who, IL APP
pears. did not hear anything unusual
but his brother. Charles, who lived some
distance farther down the road, ana VINO
had lust retired for the night, hearo the
noise occasioned by the trouble.
ANGRY VOICES.
Arising and going to the door. he heard
angry voices on the road, about Opposite
his brothers house, and, thinking ne re-
cognized his brothers voice among tneIi'
he called Frank Houchin, schooi-teach-
er. boarding with the family. telling MN
that his brother was in trouble with some
lumbermen. and signifled his intention
of going to his assistance.
Houchin volunteered to accompany hini'
and the two, having hastily thrown on
some clothing, left the house, going IN
the direction of the voices. Slaven takihs
his large Winchester rife with MN;
short distance up the road they met var
ner. and asked what was wrong, Slaven
inouiring for his brother Gratz warner
made no reply, and O. closer look IN the
darkness revealed the fact that he was
covered with blood. and so terribly IN
tured as to be unable 10 speak. Stili'
thinking his brother in danger, Slaven
pushed on in the darkness, followed by
young Houchin.
HAD A FIGHT.
The next person met was Ham Collins
and, upon being asked what had hap
pened. replied that he and Jas" warner
had had a fight At this Kramer ana
young Collins Joined the group. when the
former accosted Slaven. asking II he was
going to take up Warmers fight Slaven
answered that he was not after thai, put
continued to ask what had happened 70
his brother. Kramer paid no afternoon
to this, but kept pressing his nrst ques-
ton in reference 10 fighting Tor var
ner. Angered by Kramers persistence IN
him that II nothing else would DO ne
could take I'D for the injured man, and
at the same time grabbing his gun ciuo-
fashion, as II TO strike Kramer.
COLLINS KILLED.
At this stage OF the proceedings the two
Colinses, who up to this time remained
spectators, made rush. and tried to
get possession of the gun. which they
failed to do, as It was wrenched from
their hands by Slaven. The veteran moon
sinner, in a frenzy of rage at being thus
foiled. drew a knife from his breast
pocket. and. advancing with the others
swore he would kill him. Slaven, seeing
the CLEAN OF steel in the uncertain light
and thinking the others were probably
armed. sprang over the bank OF the road
and. instantly whirling around. sent TWO
large Winchester balls through the body
of one of the most fearless men who ever
inhabited the Mountain State.
After the inquest was held slayen was
taken to the county-seat Of Pocahontas,
where he is now held for trial IN the
county jail. State-Senator Charles T.
Jones, of this place, has been employed
by the defence, and the trial. for which
a date has not been fixed, will be eagerly
watched throughout the border counties
Of the two States.
A SCENE OF HORROR.
MY informant further states that the
scene at the inquest was one OF almost
unspeakable horror. The dead man lay
in a corner of a room-his wife in tht
room above, weeping, screaming, and
praying. In the same room where the
dead man lay two lumbermen lay In
drunken stupor, while outside was
drunken revelry, fighting, cursing. and
everything, as my informant said. tt
make a scene which could never be Ell
faced from memory.
Collins, as I stated in my former re
port, was an all-round desperate char
acter, and lived in defiance of any anC
all laws. Almost the entire catalogue o.
crimes has been laid 10 his charge. H'
has broken Jail seven times 10 the know
ledge of your correspondent, and. seem
ingiy, no Jail was sufficiently strong t.
hold him.
mi ~