Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-15

What did he say?"
THE Singleton, boy asked Smothers for
nickel, but the latter said he didn't have a
nickel, but after the Collins case he would
have plenty of money. as he would get
81, OOO for his testimony and his expenses
while in Topeka. He was not speaking TO
me. but l was in q BARRIERS chair. and was
where | could hear the conversation and
see SmotherS.''
Daniel Shea, 4 policeman in St. Joseph,
swore that in July he saw Joe Smothers at
work in the disorderly house referred TO by
the other witnesses.
Fremont Quarles, 4 negro who was so
fat that he could not get into the chair
provided for witnesses, was next called
He runs saloon and paper room IN 81.
Joseph. Joe Smothers," said the witness,
was usually at my place when We opened
up and was about the last one to leave at
night. l have seen him shooting craps at
my place. l never saw him at work. lie
had bicycle 4 part of the time and never
did do nothin' as l could see
Mrs. Nettie Wilcox Beard, of Hutchinson.
who is Il very distant relative, by marrlase'
of the Collins family, told how j. 5. Collins
had stated TO her that at night he walked
in the middle of the street. SO great was
his fear of being attacked or held up. Mrs
Beard said that at one time when she was
a guest at the Collins house, Mr. Coliifis
had gotten them up early one morning
and. in explanation, said someone hau at
tempted TO break into the house, by a VIII
dow which had resisted all efforts to open
il. She also said that she had never USED
latch key while visiting at the Collins
house because Mr.. Collins had always pre-
ferred 10 sit up at night and open the doors
and to IL that they were all iocReu.
He always seemed nervous and feared at
tacks at night"
Sheriff Porter S. Cook was called after
noon. and was asked If he had examined
John Collins arm and shoulder TO ascertain
if they were bruised. This was the result
of the suggestion which was made by j. I.
Holland and developed during his eNamina-
ton Tuesday afternoon, at which time lie
told how J. 5. Collins had been kicked over
| in L boat at Lake View after firing his
shotgun 1T ducks. Mr.. Cook said that John
| Collins had removed all of the clothing on
the upper part Of his body, but there were
no marks or bruises on either shoulder.
| Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter, of this
city. was the next witness. John Collins
was a member of classes she had taught in
| the high school Her testimony pertained
solely 10 the character and disposition OF
| the defendant az she knew him in school
and in later years. From my observation
OF John Collins, she said, Il think he IS
| kind. gentle, capable young man.. Mrs.
| Mccarter also stated that at all times
John Collins had seemed proud of his faith
er and his family, and had always seemed
very earnest in his desire to be kind and
| affectionate towards them.
| 4 number of witnesses were then called:
l one after The other. 10 prove Johns good
character, and the pleasant relations that
! existed among all members of the Collins
| family. The most of these witnesses were
| old-tirne acquaintances and neighbors of
the family; Nearly all of them swore that
John and his father Were greatly attached
| 10 each other, and acted more like corr
| radrs than father and son.
/ Among those who testified TO practically
such facts We're: l. W. Doolittle. manager
| of the ThrCop hotel; eN-County Clerk
! Charles Mccahe. Judge and Mrs. Huron
| and Miss Lille NJ. Collins, of Westmore-
land. cousin of the defendant and daughter
| of the murdered Collins brother.
| The defense expects to devote a large
portion of the time tomorrow in the TAX
ing OF testimony impeaching the state $
witnesses.