The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-29

ferred to John Collins career at Law
renee. Mrs. j. S Collins, Miss Grace
Collins, Mr.. and Mrs John Collins Of
Westmoreland, Mrs. Gillespie of Au-
burn, a sister of the late James S. Col
Inns, MI and Mrs. Grant meade OF
Horton, and Mrs. .Nettie Beard of Hutch
insOn entered the court room. Mrs.
Collins and her daughter seemed in
good spirits. and at once gave careful
attention to Mr.. JetmOre's statement,
as did the other members of the party.
The county attorney then stated that
John Collins, while keeping company
with Miss Frances BabcOck at Law
renee, became involved in debt and
owed livery, candy, flower and other
bills, which he must pay or lose his pO-
sitiOn in society. He must have mon
ey.'' said Mr.. Jetmore. land he pro-
ceeded to make plans to get it." He
then recited how Collins sought Joe
Smothers at Lawrence and said he
wanted some one to do a job of slug
ging; how Smothers found Jess Harper
who telegraphed Johnson Jor-
dan in Topeka the latter
Inns as man competent to do the work
which Collins wanted done. When Mr..
JetmOre referred to the note signed,
SmOthers, John Collins took his eyes
off the county attorney and gazed at
the ceiling of the court room, until the
reference to the note was completed.
watching Mr.. JetmOre.
Mrs. Collins Again in Court
When Mrs. Collins came into the court
room she took chair beside the de-
fendant. They sat close together, the
young mans shoulder touching that Of
his Step-mOther. When the ladies ac-
companying the widow entered the room
the defendant arose and remained
standing until they were seated.
Mr.. Jetmore referred particularly to
John Collins deniaIs to the police and
the newspaper reporters, that he knew
anything about the finding of the last
revolver after the crime was committed
and then suggested that Collins knew
about those things all the time. He de-
tailed every act of the young man, the
paWning of his watch and diamonds and
revolver, prior to the crime; his conduct
in Topeka and at Lawrence; how he
went to Kansas City and claimed his
business was to see a theatrical man to
get job as advance agent for a show.
I'VE have been unable" said Mr. Jet
more, ito ascertain what the young
man really did in Kansas City, although
I am sure both sides have endeavored to
do So"
In his statement of the case Mr. Jet
more outlined the testimony which will
be given by Miss Babcock; how Collins
told her of danger which threatened his
father and his desire to be able to take
his fathers place and thereby shield
him from danger from gIycerine bombs;
anonymous letters and probable at
tacks from enemies" In summing up
Mr.. JetmOre said: I'VE will show that
Collins wrote the Johnson Jordan letter:
that he printed his letters, and that he
instigated the crime and then commit
ted it, and we will present such evil
dence as we think will leave no doubt
in your minds that John Collins killed
his father
Judge Hazen declared a recess for a
few moments, during which the Col
Inns family talked with the attorneys
and among themselves. Young Collins
sat upon the table, with his feet on a
chair. for a moment, conversing with
Mr.. GODDARD, then walked to the corner
of the court room with Grant Meade
for a drink of water. The people in the
court room stood up and craned their
necks to get a look at Collins who for
the first time during the trial had stood
up in plain view of the crowd. The
Jurors and Judge Hazen retired for q
short time At ten minutes Of eleven
the judge raped for order
The witnesses were lined up in the
center of the court room and sworn.
Those present were: M G. Jenkins, Al
bert Heartburg, Tim Donovan, E.
Lange, Lizzie Moore, Miss Shaw, H. K. |
Tefft, J. C. Pickens, Geo. .Fieger. c. Car
ter, Joe SmOtherS, Webster Wilder, Hell |
en- A. Collins, H. NJ. Steele, Jesse Har-
per, Johnson Jordan, Porter Cook, w. !
J. Jameson, Dell Harbaugh, J. Y. Niles, !
Edith Bivens. w. f. Ellison, Mr..
Stansheld, Henry Weymuller, Grant
Meade, Ed Miller, Sam James, Ida Nc
Lain Jerry WOOdSide, NJ. MalOney,
Herbert Wing, Silas Rain.
A mum ber- of the witnesses were alb !
sent, among them being Miss Frances !
Babcock.
call your first witnessg' said the
Mrs Collins" said Mr. Jetmore.
Mrs. Collins on the Stand.
When Mrs. J. s. Collins, widow, was
court room. Mrs. Collins arose from |
her chair and walked across the room