The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-30
Policeman Jenkins on the Wit
ness Stand
In the Collins Murder Trial
This Morning.
HIS MEMORY is SHORT
COntradicts Several Statements
Made in Preliminary.
His Evidence Not of Great I'M
portance, However.

In the Collins murder trial this morn
ing Mr.. c. Jenkins. a policeman, was
the first witness called.
John Collins came into court, small
crowd preceding him, and took the chair
which he has occupied since the trial
began. The members of the family ar
rived a few moments after court con
vened and occupied the same relative
positions they have taken during the
portion of the trial preceding today
Tuesday afternoon in concluding her
testimony on the cross examination
Mrs. Collins stated that Mr.. Collins had
exercised unusual precautions against
possible burglaries and that he was
extremely nervous about such things;
that he had acquired the habit Of close
Iy watching those things. She also
testified that Mr.. Collins had once been
held up near the starch factory; and
at another time on Sixth street; that
he never left the house without carry
lug a heavily loaded cane and that at
night he would walk in the middle of
the street leaving the sidewalk owing
to his apprehension of danger Mrs.
Collins also stated that the allowance
of S25 to John Collins per month had
continued for two years and that JOnn
seldom came home that his father did
not give him 81 or 50 or perhaps more
Il think Mr.. Collins would have made
the allowance greater had 1t been con-
Venient for him to do So" said Mrs
Collins. She then told how the watch
which she said was purchased at War
din's had been brought home ana
given to John. Except the engraving
on the watch Mrs. Collins said she
could not identify it and that the gen
eral appearance of the diamond was
similar in appearance to the one given
John Collins. Neither could she tell the
name, kind or size Of the shotgun own
ed by Mr.. Collins
Q--Did you see the gun In the hall?
Do you remember who picked it
up in the hal2
Al do not.
Q.-Was your attention called to 1t
particularly?
A.-NO.
Odd you read the newspaper ac-
counts Of the testimony?
A.-NO, sir.
Q.-Then you are testifying according
to your best recollection?
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-As to the odor Mr. Collins was
searching for. Was it found?
A.-YeS, sir.
Q.-It was a dead mouse, was It not?
A--Yes, sir
Mr.. GODDARD then with the aid of an
electric light wire which was attached
10 q bulb for insertion in the chandelier
socket demonstrated how Mr.. Collins
naQ attached similar cOntriVance to
the chandelier in the bed room and then
used the globe and light at the end
TO search for the mouse. This was ap-
parently to show how the light was
turned off a fact which prevented Mrs.
Collins from turning the electric
light when she sprang from bed to do
so, when Mr.. Collins had been shot The
prosecution had intimated that the
author of the crime had also cut off the
current of electricity, but Mr.. Godard's
purpose was to prove that the light was
cut off by Mr.. Collins on the night prev
tous
The examination of Mrs. Collins was
then continued as follows:
Q-Did you see anyone in the room?
A.-NO, sin
Q-Did you hear any one walking?
A--NO. sir.
Odd you try to keep from look
ing around the room?
A.-NO, sir.
did?
A.-Attempted to turn on the light.
Q.-Then what?
., Al. secured the camphor. but placed
It on the radiator, then went around
to the other side of the bed
Q.-What did you do?
hands
Q-What did you say to him?
A.-Who could have done this?
Q-Were the children dressed when
they came down stairs?
Al think not. They were in night
dress, and We're badly frightened
Q-Grace came first?
A.-Yes.
Q.-Then John?
A.-Yes
DID you tell John to hurry and
call help?
A.-Yes
Q--How long was It before any one
came2
Al do not know: time seemed so long
then.
Q.-Was Grace crying?
A.-She was trying to control herself
for my sake.
Q.-What was she doing?
A.-LOoking at papa.
Q.-What was John doing?
Ale came in and kissed his father
Q.-Was he crying?
Ale was trying not to. but did not
succeed.
Odd he raise Grace?
Ale steadied her, so she could kiss
her father.
Q--What did he then do?
A.-kneeled beside the bed, and bur-
Aed MS face in his hands.
during this the first detailed narra-
i've OF these circumstances, a solemn
hush perVaded the court room. The
questions came in a subdued voice, and
as the tears dimmed Mrs. Collins eyes,
the defendant bowed his head and tears
WeAeu from his eyes. The young mans
head was bowed and the members Of
the family showed great emotion
Q.-Was he q good father?
A--The best a boy ever had
Q--Mrs. Collins, have you ever had
doubt as to Johns innocence?
I'VE object" said the prosecution.
Sustained" said the court.
Q.-Have you ever seen any evidence
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