The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-13

smiling during Mr. SafIordS crOSS-ex-
animation, and it worried him into say
''Who are you smiling att
''Why, Mr.. Jetmore,' said the coIored
girl with broad laugh, in which Judge
Hazen and the spectators Joined.
Q.-When did you hear of the muir
der?
A.-After we got breakfast and I was
throwing out my dishwater, neighbor
called over and said a man and woman
had been murdered.
O.-When next?
A.-That evening, read the Journal
and saw the picture of the Collins
house and told Mrs: Burnett that the
house looked like the one we passed
that morning. She said yes, but 1
don't suppose it was" left that night
and did not work there any more.
The witness was asked why she had
not told this story before this time.
''Wen, eyerytine anything happens
people say a niger tries to get into it
and kept still because know I'm col
ored and didn't want to get mixed up.
Last Friday went tc Mrs Burnett's
house on Jackson street, No. 12S, where
she talked to me about this case. She
wanted me to come and work for her
and I went home and told my folks,
then went back and went to work
''She told me then some more about
the case and then we went to Mr.
Godard's Office, where the case was
talked over"
Asked why Mrs. Burnett wanted Miss
Buchanan to stay at her home, the wit
ness replied that Mrs. Burnett was very
nervous. Mr.. GODDARD and Mr.. Hayden
were at the house Sunday evening.
Another man who the witness called
DALI a brOther-in-laW OF Mrs. Bur
nett, was also at the house Saturday
and Sunday evenings. The witness said
she was in charge of Mrs. Burnett, ap-
parently until after the testimony was
taken into the court.
on the redirect examination Miss
Buchanan answered Mr.. GOdard'S QueS-
lions, but bestowed her smiles on Mr..
Stafford.
Q-Was it raining on the morning of
Al don't remember, but if it did
DID it rain on your way home?
AT it did it was invisible. didn't
see it.
Oft was light that morning?
Ayes, quite light.
O.-Do you have a distinct recollec-
ton where you were when the $50
whistle blew?
A.-No, no more than I have given
Q-Have you been offered money OF
other inducement to testify here?
A.-No.
The court here took a short recess.
Miss Mary Wyatt Recalled.
Miss Mary Wyatt was recalled by Mr..
GODDARD after the recess to show that a
mistake had been made in her testimony
yesterday with reference to Chris Roof.
Roof SO Miss Wyatt testified yeSter-
day, had rented a room from J. s. Col
Inns for the purpose of runnNng a meat
market but had later conducted a joint.
Chris Roof had gone to Miss Wyatt and
called her attention to the matter ana
she stated today that it was J. A,
brother of Chris Roof who had threat
ened Collins.
Mrs. E. L. Morehouse, a sister of
Mrs. J. S. Collins, who lives at 616
West Sixth street, was the next witness.
She is quite an aged lady. For several
years prior to the death of her husband,
four years ago, Mrs. MOrehouse would
go with him to the Collins home and
keep house while the family was away.
Mrs. MorehOuse stated that the custom
of Mr.. Collins had always been to keep
a strict watch on all doors and window
fastenings.
Sometimes" she said, IT have want
ed medicine for my husband who was
an invalid, when I was at the Collins
house, and 1 have always been COM
PEELED to rap at the doors and get them
(AIr. and Mrs. Collins) out of bed to uE7
lock- them, so I could get into the room
where they slept.
Q.-What were the relations of the
family?
Al never heard a disrespectful word
from any member of the family to an
other.
Q.-John and his mother?
Al never could have told but what
she was his own mother.
Q.-JOhn and Grace?
Avery affectiOnate in every way.
In their correspondence and converse
ton they were particularly affectionate.
Q-JOhn and his father?
A.-They were like two boys Mr.
Collins took part in all of Johns plans
and entered with spirit into everything
which John undertook. John told him
all about his plans; much more than
boys generally do. I will say that Mr.
Collins was also very kind to all of the
family, the servants and everyone about
the house.
Q.-When did you reach the Collins
house?
A-Ten minutes to six.
Q.-What did you do?
Al went into the room where Mr.
Collins was and put my hand upon his,
and it was still warm. John was stand
ing there at the time.
Q.-What was John doing?
Ale was walking back and forth
like man much worried and one who
had met with a great misfortune.
Q.-Were there signs of anything else
but remorse or grief?
A.-There was not.
Odd you ever hear disrespectful
word from father to son?
A.-NO, I never did.
Q.-Did John have some pets at
home?
Ayes. he had some bantam chick
ems which his father had bought for
him. He trained and cared for the
chickens
On the ross-examination by Mr.. SAT-
! ford, it was developed that Mrs More
ms FAMILY, when John was at home,
since the family went to the Worlds
fair in 1898, although the families have
been very intimate and have visited
back and forth frequently.
Mr.. Stafford asked Mrs. Morehouse, if
she knew of any reason why John
should write to some one else about
money, and not confer with his father
The answer was No"
Q--DO you know of any relation be-
tween John and his father which would
cause John to make arrangements with
colored people to engage in gambling?
A.-NO.