Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-25

u
note to smothers which said. Keep mum
81 anything comes up. VIII make ii worth
your while" He met Harper and gave
him his diamond stud. which his father
lad also given him as a present. This
donation TO Harper was for services rem
dcred in steering him up against Jordan.
After waiting a reasonable time, Collins
became nervous. He went to Topeka again
10 see Jordan. That time Jordan said he
had bought the bomb. but that friend
over the river had it He said he would
get it the next day. The following day Jor-
dan reported TO Collins that the police had
arrested the fellow with The bomb in his
possession. and that the Two were in the
city Jail. but that he believed he could
work plan 10 recover the bomb. John gave
him some more money and returned TO
Lawrence. A few days passed and Jordan
did not show any signs of action
John wrote him a singing letter and
GENT il by special delivery in care of the
800 Club Jordan read the letter and
tore IT up. SHn he did not perform John
made another trip to Topeka and conferred
with him. At that meeting John was given
TO understand that the deed would be com
,nitted In a couple of days. John returned
10 Lawrence to await developments. StilI
Jordan failed 20 act.
Patience ceased to be virtue, and John
wrote Jordan four-page letter. which he
printed. in which he roasted him severely
for not carrying out his contract While
the letter did not tell in many words
q
yeyed the idea that something awful was
involved. 1t spoke about delay being dan
Eerous. and unless the plan was carried
out. that both would be in great danger.
The letter concluded: II expect TO hear
from you twice before morning. Once by
mail and once in another way Jordan
kept this letter. Still he did not perform.
IN -Iay l. John Collins came up from
spce and held another conference with
AT that meeting Jordan declined
VI the deal. He said that Collins
vt If lie did not have nerve
he would commit the crime
became alarmed and went
afternoon. John stayed at
I. He told his folks that he
me up TO a doctor. The
e murder was committed.
OF the murder. John sent
liss Frances Babcock of
whom he was in love. J.
dead Tell .notbis.s,.t'
g. telegran-Ssiayed an
he
1oradn. Harper and
beDorated in the minut-
shown where John bOr
dTesto Jordan and Har-
ing, where he gave. the
tr. where Jordan pawned
Harper pawned revolv
,e him, and where he had
them. The corroborative
wen by reputable people
he negroes, uncorrobarated
would have been given no
hatever.
surprise of the state. took
hand himself and admitted
conferences with the negroes
had told about, admitted hav-
Iem money his watch and other
IND even declared that he wrote
ging letters to Jordan. However,
gied that never once was anything
mad about a deal to kill his father.
lid that he was hard up. and that the
Ioes got him mixed up in a gambling
Vi with a view to winning enough to pay
Is debts but that the further he went the
ysorse off he got. He said the negroes
worked him. The defense attempted to
show that the deed was committed by some
negro who escaped over the roof of the
kitchen. Witnesses were placed on the
stand who testified that they man
the roof that morning. but the story of
the defense did not carry much weight with
the jury
The state tried the on the theory
that John deeply in love with Miss
Frances Babcock of Lawrence. and that
he committed the crime in order to get in
surance money TO squander on the young
lady. She was going to the shore for
the summer, and John was afraid that
while there, she would fall i'm love with
some one else He wanted TO go along with
her and her mother, but had money to
do so. His father was financially embar.
raised, and the only way out TO slay
This money has not yet been paid over.
Collins was insured for $4,000, of which
$500 was payable TO John.
Miss Babcock went TO the seashore; John
spent the summer in jail. She hack
and testified against him. and unless he is
given new trial he will spend the rest of
his days in prison. for they never hang in
Kansas.
The trial which terminated tonight in the
conviction Of John Collins has been in
PROGRESS ekS CT rfad af1-a
Judge Hazen.- of the Shawnee county dis
trict court, on Monday. November 2S. The
first three days were taken. up in the selec-
1on of jury. This composed OF
farmers. The rest of the time devoted
10 the taking of testimony until last Thurs
day. The case was argued Friday and
to-day.
Great interest taken in the case by
the public, and every day the courtroom
has been filled with spectators Severa
days during the most interesting part OF
the trial hundreds We're turned away.
The state was represented by County At
tory Aaron Jetmore. Judge II. @ Stafford
and Galen Nichols. assistant county attor-
ney.
John Collins defended by Attorneys
Charles Hayden. of Holton; A. 4. GODDARD
attorney general-elect. and Spellman OF
Kansas City. classmate of John.
one of the most unfortunate things for
The defense that occurred at the trial was
'he admission made by Ella Buchanan,
colored girl. under oath. that her testi
mony in which she declared that she was
with Mrs. May Burnett Sixth street OF
the morning of the Collins murder and saw
a negro climbing down from the roof of tn,
Kitchen, was absolutely false. This tended
TO break The weight OF all the Testimony
gwen by the defense bearing directly Oh
the commission of the crime. Had this moi
occurred. the verdict of the jury might have
been different The state is satisfied thai
considerable testimony manufacturer
in favor of Collins. but not the least sus.
picion attaches 10 the attorneys for IN,
defense. for they are honorable men II is
believed that the manufactured eyidenc,
was fixed up by a person interested in tn,
Collins family.
Now that verdict has been reached II
the case. County Attorney Jetmore ca,
carry out his threat and issue warrants 10
the arrest of some OF the witnesses fo
perjury. He did not TO do II while TN,
case was in progress, for fear that IL woul,
be sufficient 10 warrant :. reNersal Of III.