The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-20

pants John had ever worn, and that he
had known him since that time. ne
said that John and his father always
seemed to be very friendly, and thaC
he had never heard of John Collins DO
ing anything that would show am 10
be cruel or malicious
John Collins, ST., a brother of the late
J. S. Collins, who is engaged IN nnefcan-
tile business in WestmoreIand, followed
Mr.. Clements on the stand.
Q.-What has John Collins character
been from childhood up?
Avery much of a gentleman. He
has always been nice boy.
Q.-What were the relations between
him and his step-mother?
Avery warm. Just as though sns
was his own mother.
Q.-What were the relations between
your brother and his wife2
Avery close and loving.
Q.-Was there ever any trouble in the
family that you knew Of?
A.-No, sir.
Q.-Was your brother kind toward the
members of his family?
Avery kind, I should say
Odd. you believe John Collins grief
over the death of his father was sin
cere?
Q.-Do you still believe it to have
been sincere?
A.-Yes. sir.
the folding door at the Collins home2
A--Yes. sir In June, l think
Q--Did you remove the loek2
Ayes, sir
Odd you see any evidence of the
lock having been tampered with2
A.-NO, sir, I did not.
Odd you ever test the lock in
reference to holding the doors together
A.-Yes, sir, and found that the doors
could be opened with but little pressure
Captain A. NJ. Fuller and Mr. r T.
Chamberlain, both of whom have known
John Collins for number of years.
testified in reference to the defendants
mOny was complimentary to John Col
Inns.
Prof W. NJ. Davidson, superintend-
ent of the city schools stated on the
stand that he had known John Collins
as student in Harrison school and in
the high school, and that his conduct
in school was exemplary He said he
always held him to be warm hearted
and generous.
Cross-examination by Attorney SAT-
ford:
Q.-What particular acts have you
seen John perform on which you based
your answer that he was warm heartedE
Al have seen him frequently walk
ing with his father.
Q.-Outside of this seeming affection
for his father you saw nothing on which
to base your opinion?
A-NO sir.
Q-What particular acts did John
Collins perform that caused you to
think him generous?
A.-HiS conduct toward his teachers
and fellow pupils
Ole was simply gentIemanly in his
demeanor toward them, and on this
fact you based your OpinlOnE
Ayes, sir.
OFF you had known that John Col
Inns had engaged in disgraceful schemes
and had lied repeatedly in order to pre-
vent a disclosure, would 1t have affect
ed your opinion of his character
Alt probably would.
Miss May Wilson was the next Wit
ness called. She is one of the two young
ladies who was with Grace Collins at
the Collins home on the afternoon pre-
ceding the murder.
Q.-DO you remember the fact OF the
front door opening that afternoon?
Ayes, sir.
Q-How many times did it open?
Al remember of Grace closing ic
twice. She spoke of it and that is why
I remember it.
J. B. Nichols was the next witness
called. On examination by Attorney
Hayden he testified as follows:
Q.-Do you know Joe Matthews and
Johnson Jordan?
A.-YeS, sir
Q.-Do you remember seeing them in
conversation in front of Keith's drug
store some time in August?
A.-Yes, sir. was walking down the
street with Matthews and We met JOr-
dan; Matthews introduced me to him.
and Jordan said to Matthews that ne
wanted to see him. I saw they wanted
to have a private conversation and
withdrew a short distance and waited
for Matthews.
DID you hear any of the converse
ton?
A.-On1y one word.
On cross examination Nichols stated
that this lone word" was the name
Collins.
When Nichols was excused Mr.. Hay
den stated that the defense would have
no further witnesses until the noon
train from Lawrence. Accordingly the
jury was discharged and a recess taken
until 1 o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
Frederick w. Reed, of Lawrence.
chairman of the committee on parks in
that city last spring, was the first wit
ness called by the defense after the
opening of court at L o'clock He stated
that Cornelius Carter was not employed
in the city park at Lawrence at any
time this year. This was a corrObOra-
tion of the testimony given by Marshall
Monroe of Lawrence. When Mr.. Reed
was excused from the stand the defense
announced that it rested.
Attorney Stafford at once asked leave
to recall Miss Mary Wyatt and Robert
Hitchcock, witnesses for the defense
Attorney Hayden objected, but the OBJ
lection was overruled by Judge Hazen-
Miss Mary Wyatt was then called 20
the stand and questioned by Mr. SAT
ford.
Odd you have any conversation
with Sheriff Cook about Mr.. Collins re-
ceiving anonymous letters2
A.-Yes, sir. I told him that Mr. Col
Inns had received anonymous letters
but that I hadn't seen them
Q.-Isn't it a fact that when Sher1n
Cook first asked you about anonymous
letters you said Mr.. Collins had not
received any, and then afterward you
said you had a faint recollection OF Mr.
Collins receiving an anonymous letter.
A-No sir I told Sheriff Cook that
Mr. Collins had received anonymous
letters but that I had not seen them.
and I hunted about the Office but could
o.GDid you say anything to Sheriff