The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-14

Smothers had worked at 220 North Sec
Ond street, the house of ill-fame re-
ferred to by Phelps and kept by Pearl
Armstrong. The witness was collecting
monthly fines from those places and
during his trips on that business saw
SmOthers. There were no additional
facts brought out in the cross -examina-
tiOn, but on the redirect examination
Mr.. Mcnamara said he saw Smothers
carrying beer to patrons in Pearl Arm
strong's place.
William Rogers, a colored bartender.
who works in the saloon kept by the
colOred man Phelps, was called, but
the prosecution objected to the ques-
tions which were being asked and that
there had been no previous foundation
laid for the further impeachment Of
Smothers.
The objection was sustained, then the
defense asked Rogers to step aside for a
moment and called Joe Smothers for
further cross-examination. Smothers
was asked if he had said to Rogers or
in the presence of Rogers that he would
get $1,000 for testifying in the Collins
case. He said No.
Mr.. Rogers was then recalled
Odd you hear conversation be-
tween Joe Smothers and the Singleton
boy in Phelps barber shop.
A.-YeS.
Q-Was Smothers there?
Ayes.
Q.-What did he say?
A.-The Singleton boy asked Smoth-
ers for a nickel but the later said he
didn't have nickel, but after the Col
Inns case he would have plenty of money
as he would get 81, 900 for his testimony
and his expenses while in Topeka. He
was not speaking to me, but I was in
a BARRIERS chair, and was where
could hear the conversation and see
SmOthers. This testimony was not dis
turbed on the ss-examination which
was very brief.
Many Witnesses Testify.
Daniel Shea, a policeman in st. Joe.
swore that in July he saw Joe Smoth-
ers at work in the disorderly house re-
ferred to by the other witnesses.
Fremont Quarles, a. negro who was so
fat that he could not get into the chair
provided for witnesses, was next called.
He runs a saloon and paper room in St.
Joe. Joe Smothers,'' said the witness,
was usually at my place when we
opened up and was about the last one
to leave at night. [ have seen him
shooting craps at my place. I never
saw him at work. He had a bicycle
a part of the time and never did do
nothin' as I could see."
On the cross examination Stafford
asked QuarleS If he had not been a
loafer before he started up his games
and saloon. mo" he said, Il was the
city chimney sweep"
Q--Didn't you hang around Phelps
saloon?
A.-No, I didn't.
Q.-What did you do2
A.-When I wanted anything, I went
a. 60 p0oSHl It. ne d4dI /.
land, a cousin of John Collins, the de-
fendant, who is a student at the state
normal school in Emporia, was the
next witness. She has been a. frequent
visitor at the Collins home. She said:
''The relations of the family were
| most harmonious. never saw or heard
the slightest discord, and I was in the
family for a year. John Collins was
| kind, gentle and considerate of the
| rights of others and have never seen
any demonstrations Of harshness. John
and his father were more like brothers,
| or chums, than father and son. So far
as have observed there was never any
! indication of feeling against any mem
! Der of the family on the part of john
Mrs Nettie Wilcox Beard of Hutchin-
| son, who is a. very distant relative by
| marriage, of the Collins family was
/ the next witness and she told how i.
Continued on Sixth Pagel