Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-08
STAR WITNESS IN COLLINS MURDER
CASE ON THE STAND.
TELLS A STRAIGHT STORY
WAS NOT BADLY MINED UPON CROSS
EXAMINATION.
Miss Frances Babcock. With Whom
John Collins Was in Love- to
Testify To-day-Will Tell
the story of Their
Love Affair.

TOPEKA. Dec. I.-CSpecial.) Miss
Frances Babcock. the pretty young society
girl Of Lawrence. with whom John Henry
Collins was so deeply in love. il in To-
pcka tonight ready 10 testify in the cele-
brated murder case tomorrow. The state
is trying the case on the theory that John
Collins only motive for committing the
crime was 10 secure money to spend ON
Miss Babcock in order that he might I'LL
timately win her hand.
Miss Babcock came up at noon to-day.
She did not go to the court house. She
remained with some friends of the family
who reside near the court house and held
herself in readiness to compa the bail
III 10 the witness stand any time he might
call for her. The state expected 10 get TO
her this afternoon late. but on account
of an unavoidable delay in the case during
TIE forenoon they could not do ii.
Miss Babcock is very nervous over The
matter. She realizes tEat she is the star
attraction and will be saZed at intent!y
by the hundreds who can crowd into the
courtroom. She also feels a hesitancy N
testifying against a man whom she knows
loves her, although that love is not re-
ciprocated. John Collins had spent "A great
deal of money on her-more than he could
afford. IL he is guilty Of this crime it
was because he wanted 10 raise more
money 10 spend on her. Under these cir
cunstances, she could not be expected 10
he as cool as the proverbial cucumber She
has not seen John Collins since his arrest.
Shortly after the murder she returned all
his presents and told him she was done
with him.
A squad of newspaper men attempted 10
interview Miss Babcock tonight, but she
declined TO say anything for publication.
Thai did NOT handican Some of the news
paper men. however. for they wrote an in
terview with her anyhow.
The whole love story OF John Collins and
Miss Babcock will be told on the stand by
Miss Babcock herself tomorrow. She will
probably he called upon 10 relate some
conversations which she and John have
had and produce some letters that. under
other circumstances. would make the par
tics interested blush. She viii tell of John
asking her to become his wife and of her
reply that she might If she did not find
someone at the seashore whom she loved
more. John answered that he would go TO
the scashore with her and take good care
that she did not find another. She will
also relate how she returned the presents
he gave her and how tine love affair was
broken off by her forbidding him to call
again.
johnson Jordan was the only witness ex-
amined to-day. His sensational story of
the negotiations which he and John Col
Inns had. all looking to the murder of J..
S. Collins. was related in detail. On cross
examination the defense directed "A series
OF questions at Jordan which indicated that
they will have some strong evidence to in
troduce tending TO impeach Jordan.
When Jordan took the witness stand As
sistant Prosecutor Stafford asked him to
state his name. Before he had time to
answer. Attorney Hayden for the defense
objected 10 the competency of the witness.
The records show that in February, 1890,
in this very court, he was convicted of
burglary and sentenced to prison for five
years"
Jordan has served out his time. has he
not?" asked the court.
He has, responded Mr.. Stafford.
The objection is overruled,'' retorted the
court.
Then Mr.. Stafford opened up with the
usual questions concerning his name and
residence. He was interrupted again by
Mr.. Hayden, who said: IF the court
pleases, We want the privilege of intro
ducing the record of this witness at the
trial"
'.Then we ask that the governors clerk
be subpoenaed 10 show that the witness
was pardoned from the penitentiary and
was restored to full citizenship" replica
Mr.. Stafford.
'what particular point do you make
about this testimony" asked the court OF
Mr.. Hayden.
THAT he was convicted o. a felony and
is. therefore. not competent to testify"
replied Mr.. Hayden.
II know that the supreme court has held
that a criminal under sentence was not
competent 10 testify. but ] don't believe it
is carried 10 the extent you suggest" said
the court.
At this point Mr.. Stafford. who had been
conducting A whispered conversation with
the witness. asked the court if Jordan
could go with the sheriff to North Topeka
and get his pardon papers. The Judge as
scented and the jury was excused for a
few minutes while Jordan went after his