Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12
SHOT BY A HUSBAND
Gwynne Tompkins Seriously Injured
by John Collins.
TROUBLE OVER The WIFE
Affair Took Place in aWestWash-
ington Resort.
B 0 T II w Z L K NOW

There was a shooting scrape in George
town shortly after noon today, in which
Gwynn r. Tompkins was shot by John w.
Collins, clerk in the secretary's office of
the District Commissioners The affair
grew out of Tompkins meeting Collins
wife.
The wounded man, while painfully, is not
seriously hurt, and was removed to Gar
field Hospital for treatment
The shooting occurred in Schladt's saloon
en- 32d street. Tompkins was engaged in
playing game of pool in one of the rooms
of the West Washington Hotel, as the
place is known, when Collins appeared at
the doorway.
You dog" exc:te1ly exclaimed Collins,
ard suddenly he pulled a revolver and fired
twice. John Schlagt, the proprietor of the
place who was near Collins, seized the re-
volver and hit the young man across the
head with a cue.
In the meantime Tompkins ran around
the table and escaped into back room.
After taking the gun from Collins the pro-
prietor of the place ordered him out. After
he had been gotten out on the sidewalk a
search was made for Tompkins, and he
was found in the room where he had
sought safety. When the first shot was
fired the two men were not twenty feet
apart.
Inc Dullet struck 10mDklnS IN the 1eShy
part of the right arm and ploughed its
way through the flesh. He turned to run,
and tie second shot struck HIM in the
back, just below the left shoulder blade
and a few inches above the heart.
Collins did not escape without injury. The
blow of the cue made cash the left
temple, while his right arm was skinned
In the struggle with the proprietor of the
place
In response to a call, Policemen Conlon
and Birkight reached the place. Collins
was found on the outside greatly excited,
ard was placed under arrest.
He did not make any attempt to escape
and taken to the station mousse, where
no charge was entered against his name
until the condition of Tompkins could be
ascertained.
DIR. Louis Mackall was summoned and
he attended to the injured man, who was
later removed to Garfield Hospital in order
that the bullet might be extracted.
Collins is young man, twenty odd years
of age, who has been employed in the Dis
trict building for over three years. He
was married eight years ago to Nina
Sparklin. and the couple had one child,
seven years of age, VINO is now in a convent
in New York. Several years age the wife
left her husband without any cause what
ever, so the latter says, and took
up her residence at 26n3 street.
While at this place, the husband says, she
had some acquaintance with Tompkins.
Since last September Collins and his wife
have been living together.
He had no suspicion of his wife's infidel-
ty until few days ago when he found a
ncte in her room from Tompktns. asking
her to meet him at the same old place
Monday morning, while he said nothing,
the husband decided TO investigate.
He employed a person to follow his VILE
and awaited developments. While in a sa.
loon on Pennsylvania avenue. Just across
from Rock creek, he was told that his wife
had gone in SchleZt's saloon. He FASTENED
over to the place and made a search for
his wife, and met Tompkirs playing pool.
he cd hp a i'm
No attempt was made to find the woman.
Collins claimed she was in the hotel and Il
she she kept very quiet. The police
did not search the building for the woman.
but only looked for the injured man.
Schladt the proprietor, claimed that the
woman not in the place.
When seen by Star reporter in his cell
at the seventh precinct station Collins
seemed overcome.
He stated that he had done everything
in his power to please his wife, for the sake
Of their child.
while 1 am not Catholic" said Col
lins, Il have placed my little child in a
convent in New York, and l know she is
among good people there. Yet this mora
ing / received a letter from her, and that
makes me feel good deal worse than or
dinarily would.
Collins is Popular.
John w. Collins is one of the most pop
ular clerks at the Commissioners Off .e.
Endowed with a bright disposition, he
made many friends, and had no enerhies.
He was appointed by Senator Harris. who
has been his warmest friend, having known
his family in Tennessee many years ago.
For some time past Collins has brooded'
over the part Gwynne Tompkins has played
in his life. Away back in the days of Alex
ander Island racing he was cognizant of
his actions toward his wife, and one day
notified him to stay away from her. Tomp-
kiIs. it is said, taunted him at the time.
A friend took Collins away then and
nothing further came of 1t. Collins
told afterward that Tompkins carried
revolver and proposed TO use it If Collins
bothered him.
There was a general expression OF regret
at the Commissioners office this afternoou
when the news reached there. Little or 10
condemnation was heard of Collins act.
If the facts turn out as represented 1t
is not thought that the Commissioners will
take any action in the matter.
The Injured Man.
Tompkins is wen known in this city as a
sporting man. number of years ago he
did some newspaper work, but In a short
time availed himself of an opportunity tc
identify himself with the turf by becoming
interested in the Clover stables.
He also became secretary for the race
course at Alexander Island. His recent
racing enterprises have not been successful.
His name was brought to attention last
week by the marriage of his divorced wife,
Elizabeth A. Tompkins, in San Francisco.
Tompkins lives at Elkton, Cecil county,
Md, and is at present raising horses IN
Maryland.
For while Tompkins lived in Cambridge
street i'm Georgetown.
While the injured man could not he seen,
The Star reporter had an interview with
John Schlagt the proprietor of the hotel,
who disarmed Collins. His story is SUBJ
stantially as the above.