The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-15
BOGUS!
Ella Buchanan Goes on the Wit
ness Stand Again
And Swears That All Her Pre-
viOus Testimony
About the Man ON the Roof Was
False.
A GREAT SENSATION.
Caused in the Court Room by
This Admission.
Haste Made to Clear Attorneys
For the Defense
OF TAMPERING WITH
Witnesses-JOhn Collins Goes
on the Stand
And Tells Thrilling and Deep
Iy Interesting Narrative
OF TAMPERING WITH
Witnesses-JOhn Collins Goes
on the Stand
And Tells Thrilling and Deep
Iy Interesting Narrative.

John Henry Collins took the witness
stand in his own behalf today, and en-
tered a general denial to all the evidence
presented by the prosecution Instead
of giving Jess Harper and johnson Jor-
dan money to kill his father, the de-
fendant swore that he had borrowed
money and gave 1T to them to be used
an gambling.
The most startling incident of the
morning, however. was the statement
of Ella Buchanan made on the witness
stand that all of her previous testimony
about seeing a man on the roof of the
kitchen of the Collins home on the
morning Of May 13 was false.
Collins was the first witness
called this morning and it came as
a surprise to everybody except the de-
Tense. There was a small crowd pres
ent
During his recital of the story of his
transactions with the negroes, John Col
Inns talked deliberately and was very
careful in the use of his language He
was especially particular in the gram
natical construction of his sentences
and talked a greater part of the time
other times his eyes strayed toward the
court reporter, and he carefully watch
ed the work of recording his evidence.
His possession for one so young,
seems almost astounding.
A no time was Collins disturbed eX-
cept when referring to the kindness
which his father had shown him; then
he came near breaking down but soon
rallied and up to the adjournment of
court for dinner maintained his usual
undisturbed appearance.
Collins sat with one knee across the
other, his left hand in his lap, while his
right hand rested on the rail which
separated him from the jury. In this
hand he held his spectacle case, with
which he tOyed during the time he was
testifying. Collins spoke in a clear and
distinct manner, and every word he
said was audible in all part of the court
room. There was small crowd pres
ent when he was called, but later
great crowd came and the closest atten-
tion was given to the testimony of the
defendant. The degree of composure
which he manifested was so marked
that all of the spectators commented
upon it.
This has been the most sensational
day in the trial.
Q.-What is your full name?
A--JOhn Henry Collins.
Q.-What is your age2
Al
Q.-When were you 212
A.-March 81, 1898.
Q--Where were you born7
An Topeka.
Q.-Where have you attended school?
A--Graded and high schools in To-
peka. and the state university.
Q--When did your mother die?
A-When was years old.
Q.-Do you remember your fathers
re-marriage?
A-Indistinctly.
Q.-Whom did he marry2
A--Helen A. Meade.
Q--She had two children?
A-Yes; Grant and Carrie Meade.
Q.-When did you move into your
present home?
A-1S86.
ON the building Of the house was
there a special room for the girls, and
also for you and Grant?
Q-The girls occupied the room?
A;-Yes, 1 think until Carrie Meade
Q-Are you a graduate of the Topeka
high schO0l2
A.-No. I left in my third year. took
double work one year and entered the
Freshman class at Kansas university.
Q--What course did you take?
A--The general collegiate.
Q.-That's four years course?
A.-Yes.
Q.-When you first went to Lawrence
was there any talk between you and
your father about an allowance?
Not the first year. I drew some
money of my own, about $25. which L
drew out of the Savings bank, and
father always gave me what 1 asked
and also gave me a Santa Fe commuta-
ton ticket
Q.-How about the second year2
Ale was to give me S27 month.
puy my clothes, pay my railroad fare
and reimburse me for what clothes I
might buy.
Q.-Did you receive any other monies?
A-Hes, my father, mother and sister
frequently gave me money
ODD you earn any money during
the summer of 1897?
A.-Yes. I worked at the Office and
was to have 81 a week and what other
sums I might ask for, but I was to
earn 50.
Odd you do any other yvorl12
A.-Yes, but do not know how much
money made.
Odd you come here from Lawrence
erequently2
A.-YeS.