The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13
STRUCK DOWN
 BY ASSASSINS Charles Collins Corpse Found Near Santa
 Monica. Suspicion Falls Upon a Neigh bor, Who Is Placed
 Under Arrest. Evidence Indicating That the Victim Was Murdered for His Paltry
 Savings.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SANTA MONICA, Feb. 12.-The body of Charles Collins, well-known car penter of this place, was found to-day in the sandhills south of the town. The top and back of the skull had been crushed in, evidently with an ax, hatchet or heavy timber. Collins was building a house for himself and occu- pied tent on his lot not far from the spot where his body was found. His nearest neighbors were Peter Garcia and family. They had lived on a part of Collins land. but their house had recently been moved off to make room for his improvements.
 Mrs Garcia, not very prepossessing woman, seemed not at all surprised when told of the murder. It might have been an everyday occurrence, for all of the interest she manifested. She Immediately declared, however, that Collins was building the new house for her, and claimed she had loaned him $50, part of which he had repaid She said he had told her last night that he was going to Los Angeles, and would not be home until Monday. His effects seem to disprove this assertion, as his valise was open and his effects strewed about, and his carpenter tools lay about just where he had used them.
 The body was discovered by two women, and Marshal Dexter was noti- fled. It lay face down, with the right arm underneath. There was no evil dence of struggle. One theory Is that he was murdered in his tent and the body carried to this place, yet the con- ditionS indicate that he fell there. Tracks of two persons led to the place, and the tracks were deep In the sand as though the pair might have carried a heavy load. On each side of the body was a depression, as though some one had knelt in the sand. Collins watch chain was broken and the watch gone.
 He had no money upon him, although when he paid a lumber bill two days ago, he was seen to have number of $20 gold pieces.
 Suspicion fell at once on Garcia. It is reported that he pawned a saw be- longing to Collins last night, and this morning redeemed it. He was then seen to have a $20 gold piece in his possession. It was discovered that he had paid small bill or two.
 He could not be found until this even- ing, when the officers took him into custody. It Is thought he had been in Los Angeles. He was wearing new shoes and new pair of overalls and had $2 50 in his possession. AS 30 cents would be more than he ordinarily had, and, especially, as he had been drink ing, appearances were against him.
 He did not ask what was wanted of him. When he was taken to the morgue Constable Myers struck a match. Although the corpse was seem ingly unrecognizable, the arm over the blood-s stained face, when they asked him if he knew the man he immediate ly answered.:
 "Yes, that is my neighbor."
 It is hardly possible that he could have heard of the murder. His house is guarded and will be thoroughly searched for more discriminating evil dence. It is not known whether Col lins has family or not, as he has al- ways been alone here. Mrs. Garcia says that he has daughter, but she does not know where.