The Topeka state journal., 1898-10-22
WATCHING THE WITNESSES
Interesting Information Concerning
the Collins Murder Case.

The arrest of Johnson Jordan who is
the star witness in the Collins case, in
Newton has set the attorneys for the
prosecution to thinking and Attorney
H. c. Stafford who is associated with
County Attorney Jetmore boldly charges
that there is an effort being made in
the interest of the defense to put the
witnesses for the prosecution in the
worst possible light.
Mr.. Stafford charged today that detec-
tfves had worked up the case against
johnson Jordan and caused his arrest.
AS Jordan was caught shooting craps
it does not seem probable that any
special effort had been made to have
him put where he can not testify
against John Collins.
In support of the charges made by
Mr.. Stafford he tells the following story:
"One time the police were on the watch
for Jordan and as soon as he reached
a Vagrant. I went down to see him and
asked the police to release him and they
agreed to do so. When I was talking
to johnson he told me to notice a man
who was walking around inside the jail.
He was in his shirt sleeves and seemed
restless. He said that that man had
tried to make an appointment with him
for some out of the way place in Oak
land. told him to pay no attention to
him. He said that the man wanted to
meet him some night when no third par
ty was around. Johnson was released
that afternoon and the man who had
made the proposition to meet him was
released at the same time. I asked
Strauss why he was being held and
he said he was suspected of being
burglar.
after johnson Jordan was released
I saw him and he said that the man had
again been to him urging him to meet
him in Oakland. He wanted to go but
I told him he should not. He insisted
on going but finally persuaded him
not to 60"
Mr.. Stafford also makes some state
Indicate n a
been made to entrap Jesse Harper, the
Lawrence negro, who is one of the
principal witnesses for the prosecution.
He said: 'Only few days ago a To-
peka young man whom we know went
to Lawrence to see Jesse Harper. He
told him that he had been married but
had separated from his wife and she
had some musical instruments in the
house which belonged to him and which
he wanted to get. He told Harper he
would give him $50 if he would get the
things. He said the woman was coming
to Lawrence and that as soon as Har-
per saw her he should go to Topeka
and go into her house and get the
things. Harper would not take the bait
but I have no doubt that the purpose
was to get Harper in a box"
The attorneys have not given the ar
rest of johnson Jordan much attention
but they have decided to keep a sharp
watch on the witnesses.
Ex-Sheriff John NJ. Wilkerson who is
working in the interest of the defense
was asked Whether he knew anything
about an effort being made to throw a
cloud upon Jordan and Harper. He
said that he did not but if he had want
ed Jordan he would have had him ar
rested for an affair in which he was
mixed up in Topeka in which he was
charged with robbing an old man Of
$50
Mr.. Will1erson said that there will be
nothing of a startling nature brought
out by the defense at the trial. He says
that there will be a mass of testimony
to break down the statements of the
witnesses for the prosecution but that
is all.
John Collins is reported to be in ex-
cellent health. He eats and sleeps well
though he takes no exercise and does
not appear to have lost anY flesh.