The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-03
Kitty Smothers and a Letter.

O.-When?
A.-That day, I think.
Kitty SmOthers and Letter.
Mr.. Lyon was here excused and Kitty
Smothers, the colored girl from Law
renee, was then called. The young Wo-
man is a student at the State universi-
ty, a, member of the junior class she
did not know whether John Collins was
in school last year or not. Her brother,
Joe Smothers, lives with the witness
and her mother.
Q.-Do you know John COllinS2
A.-By sight.
Q.-Do you see him now?
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Behind Mr.. Hayden?
A.-The one with the spectacles on.
you don't mean this man. said At
torney Stafford pointing to Attorney
Hayden who also wears glasses. The
spectators laughed and Judge Hayden
raped for order with one hand and
raised the other to his face and smiled.
John Collins also laughed.
Q.-When did you first see John Col
Inns?
A-The first time he came to see
Joe; the second time he gave me let
ter for Joe who was not at home.
Q.-How did you first see him?
Al responded to the dOorben.
Q.-WhO did you see?
A.-John Collins.
Q.-What did he do?
A.-Asked for Joe.
Q.-What did you do?
A.-CaIled Joe.
Q.-What did they do?
A-Went into the parlor.
Q.-What did they do?
A.-Carried on a conversation.
Q.-Where did you go?
A.-TO finish washing the supper
dishes.
Q-Then?
Al went upstairs to study my les
sons
Q-When you came down stairs did
you see them?
A.-No; they had gone away.
Q-Where?
Al don't know.
Q.-Where did you see him again?
A.-When he again came to the house.
Q.-How did you see him?
Al responded to the doorbells
Q.-Who did you see?
A.-John Collins.
Q-What did he do?
A.-Asked for Joe, who was not at
home.
Q.-Then what did he do?
A.-GaVe me a letter for Joe.
Q.-Then what did Collins do?
A.-Went away.
Q.-When did Joe come homer
A.-Later in the evening.
Odd he get the letter?
Ayes; I left it on the table for him.
Odd you see the letter then?
Q.-When did you see the letter?
A.-The next morning. Joe had gone
to work.
Q.-How?
Al took st out of his pocket.
The witness was shown a letter or
note which she identified, but the prose
cution did not introduce it as evidence.
The letter identified by Kitty Smoth-
ers is printed in pencil on a piece of
white paper about four by five inches
and reads as follows:
Joe: Keep things mum if anything
comes up. Will make it worth your
while. TURNER HALL.
Cross-examination by Mr.. Hayden:
Q.-HoW long have you known John
Collins?
A-Since he first came to our house.
Q.-When was that?
Al don't know.
Q.-Was 1t in January?
Al don't know.
Q.-Was it in March?
Al don't know.
O.-Was it in February?
Al don't know.
Q.-Was it in April or May?
Al don't know.
Q.-When was it do you think?
A-PriOr to the murder of Mr.. Col
| Inns, that's all I know.
Q.-At the preliminary you were un-
able to state when John Collins, you
say, came to your house?
| A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Do you now remember?
A-No
Q.-How do you explain that then
! you said it might have been as early as
| January or February?
Al have no explanation.
Q.-YOur brother was member of a
quartet?
Ayes.
Q.-WhO were the others?
Al do not know.
Odd he sing for the college boys?
| Ayes.
Q.-Was it unusual for a white boy
(Contin1ed on Sixth PaeeO