The times., 1897-08-06
PISTOL FAILED To EXPLODE
SaIOonkeeper Steve Collins Il
tempts 10 Kill Wm. Edelin.
DOMESTIC TROUBLE THE CAUSE
Victim Badly Beaten With the
Butt Of The ETeanon-was En-
pIoycd ~ AIRS. Collins to Pro-
Iect lser From Her Husband
Tie .sS@aiiant Locked Up.

The quiet neighhorhoed OF Second and
Cast Capitol streets was thrown into
state Of great excitement early last even
ing by the spectacle OF 4 man with blood
streaming down his face staggering out
Of a yard onto the pavement, as he en-
deavored to evaae the rain of blows and
kicks Enowered upon him by an infuriated
assailsnt.
The victim Of the brutal assault was
William Edelin, "A former detective, and
his assallant was Steve" Collins the
welI-lSnown Seventh-street saloon-keeper-
PasserSby saw tie wounded man attempt
TO wipe the blood from his eyes as he
groped about blindly, but tbs die not de-
ter Collins from continuing his savage at
tack
lmauy a young boy nazned George Hoover
rushed at Collins, catching him abcut the
waist, and this gave another bystander,
George Randall, an opportunity TO rush IN
between the two men and separate theHi.
Collins then broke and ran, but Policeman
Pradley, after d nc: chase, cauGhthiIn and
he was conveyed TO the Ninth precinci sta
ton house, and Il charge OF assault with
intent 10 kill was entered against his
name.
Edelin, whose face and head were hor-
ribly gashed, was hurried into buggy
belonging to tseorge Smith and taken TO
Providence Hospital, y here ii was found
that his Injuries, though exceedingly pain
rul, were not otdangerous.
The assault by Collins started in house
ls4 East Capitol street. Edeiin was
An the front room of the second story
lying Oh a lounge when Collins rushed
through the basement door and up the
stairs AS he entered the room, Edelin
saws he drew a revolver and attempted
TO shoot The weapon, however, missed
fire, but before Edelin could reach his
feet Collins struck him a powerful blow
with the stock OF the revolver, cutting a
wound in the temple, from which the
blood spIrted in streams. EGelin then
grappled with his infuTiated assaiiant,
who continued to lain blows on his head,
Iacerating the scalp with every blow.
Edelin struggled down the stairs and out
10 the pavement, where the assault termi-
mated by the interference of the two young
men already mentioned.
Collins then started on run down Sec
ond street, with dozen men and boys
after him. He ran into the house of his
COUSIN, Mrs A. Y. Thomette, As A street.
Policeman Bradley saw him enter the
house and bounded up the steps after him
Collins, finding that he was pursued, jump
ed through a second-story window. but
this did cot stop Bradley, and he made
the jump, too, landing almost astride Col
Mns, whom he placed under arrest after q
short struggle
The assault was the outcome Of domestic
compli cations between Collins and his
wife. Mrs. Aurelia r Collins, who some time
ago Instituted q suit for divorce against
him on the grounds OF cruel treatment She
claimed that Collins frequently threatened
her, and that he made life miserable for
her. On her representations Collins was
placed under bonds not 10 interfere with
her in any way, or to venture on the
premises where the assault occurred, and
which was Mrs. Collins property
Mrs. Collins was afraid of him, how
ever, and accordingly her son by a former
husband, Arthur Suit, employed Edelin
20 stay ou the premises and protect his
mother. Suit is the keeper of the well
known suburban roadhouse on Good Hone
Hill.
E6elin entered on his duties about a
month ago, and has remained constantly
I'm the house. Collins, so EdeIn says, at
once evinced an enmity toward him. and
on one occasion displayed a pistol, with
which he said he intended to "do Edelin,
As Collins was under bonds not to trespass
upon the premises Edelin, says he was
canght off his guard. and was not pre-
pared for his visit last evening He saws
Collins has no earthly reason for hating
him beyond the fact that he was employed
70 protect Mrs. Collins from her husband.
Collins was seen by a Times reporter last
evening at the Ninth street station. In
giving his reasons for the assault he said:
Il did only what any man would do under
the circumstances. Edelin had broken I'd
my home life and only did it TO Tevenge
my honor, which that man outraged. I
used only ny fists on him and don't re-
grct what I did Twould like to have
him III this cell right now TO finish the
Sob"
Collins claim that he used only his fists
is absurd. The doctors at Providence
Hospital sewed mp at least dozen ghastiv
wounds which laid bare Fdelin's skull
Up 10 late hour last night Collins
friends had not succeeded in securing the
bond required for his release.