Evening journal., 1898-07-22
The DEAD TOMATO KING. y
REMARKABLE BUSINESS CAREER OF
JAMES w. COLLINS.

MORROW AFTERNOON.
The body Of James W. Collins, bro
ther-in-law of Sheriff Finn, who was
killed by the Washington express on
Wednesday evening near Havre de
Grace. Md, was taken to his home,
No 1858 North Twenty-first street,
Philadelphia, yesterday. The funeral |
services will be held tomorrow after
noon, at , o'clock, and the interment |
will be in West Laurel Hill Cemetery. |
Mr.. Collins death made a deep i'm |
preston among those interested in the |
canned goods trade, in which, especially |
for the past year, he has occupied a
unique position. No man was more
widely known in this line Of business
than he, and the kilograms received at
Havre de Grace yesterday with refer
ence to the tragedy, as well as the ex-
pressions Of sympathy, indicate his
popularity among those with whom he
had business dealings
Although Mr. Collins had been en-
gagged in the canned goods brokerage
for many years, his manipulations dur
ing the past year have been far more
important than ever before, and earned
| for him the title of "The Tomato
King" There is no man in the coun-
try who dealt so heavily in canned to-
matoes as he, and the story of his deal
ings indicate that his buying was based
on rare judgment.
A year ago Mr.. Collins formed the
opinion that the opportunities to make
money on canned tomatoes were un-
usually good. Owing to overproduc-
tion, the price of tomatoes was at an
exceptionally low point, and last July
packers were selling for future deliv-
cry at 571k cents a dozen cans. Mr.
Collins felt that, with the market in
that state, there was no money to be
lost, and that some might be made. 1t
is stated by a man who had business
dealings with him that at that time he
bought 10000 cases of twenty-four cans
each for Fall delivery He had fortune
. with him, for before the canning sea-
son opened 1t was evident that prices
were to advance From one cause or
another the tomato crop dwindled. The
yield was in many places not more
than half what it had been in other
years. As it became evident that the
crop was to be light, Mr. Collins con-
tinued to buy heavily.
When the packing season began
prices had advanced to SO and 80 cents
, a dozen. Since then there has been one
decline. but the tendency has been to-
ward an unusual advance, and to-day
the price is from 81 to S1.O5 dozen
While this is the result largely Of the
conditions that led Mr.. Collins to n
vest so heavily, there Is no doubt thal
the war has had something to do with
higher prices. One more place of out.
let has been provided, and the effects
Of the contracts made by the govern.
ment for canned goods have been eyi
dent in prices.
During the past six months Mr. Col
Inns investments were extensive. II,
constantly bought and sold, and though
he turned over goods in this way, 1t i.
said that his holdings at one time wer,
100000 cases. In some of his dealing.
he was alone, and in others has hac
hackers. Last Fall he predicted thai
before the new pack Of the coming Fal
the trade would see tomatoes at $3.50
and the price is rapidly advancing to-
ward that point. A prominent packer
said yesterday that Mr. Collins hant
!, could be felt in the tomato trad,
: throughout the country. But a shor
= time ago he secured a large contrac
Tor supplying tomatoes to the govern
% ment.
u Mr. Collins was known by wholesal
dealers and growers throughout tn
" country. lie was on a tour among tn
e canning establishments around Hayr
lie de Grace when the accident happene,
g. by which he lost his life.
=, Although Mr.. Collins said littl
. about his business affairs to anyone, i
was evident that he was higly satisfe
81 with his dealings during the past year
st He attended closely to business TO
y years, steadily refusing to leave his al
NJ fairs for even a short vacation. He wa
about to take a long trip through tn
-, West with his family, and had all hi
II plans completed. He has said to hi
l. friends that his affairs were now i
{, such condition that he could leav
IA them for awhile Although his dealing
"a were undoubtedly successful, it is be
lieved by his friends that his success
would have been much greater if h
le had lived few months longer.
N Charles W. Collins. his son, VIII
10 went to Havre de Grace yesterday {
q bring the body back to Philadelphi,
a says that the accident occurred abou
~ midway between Aberdeen and Havr
'h de Grace, at what is known as the o.
borne street crossing, near OakingtOI
Mr.. Collins was being driven from on
station to the other by a hveryma
r. named f. Frank Jones. when the acc
> dent happened. Charles w. Collins say
!, that the crossing where the accider
Il happened is near a large embankmen
which may have made it impossible fC
Id the occupants of the carriage to see II
he approaching train. The hind part ,
H. the carriage was hit and the horse VIZ
IS uniniured
n Mr. Jones neck was broken, and Y
3 death Of Mr. Collins was almost instai
er taneous He was not so severely NUT
p- lated by the train as Mr.. Jones wa
et however.
We BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
be POPULAR EXCURSION TO MAG
ND ARA FALLS, THURSDAY, JULY
ROUND TRIP, $1,000.