The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-14
REVIEW OF ALL THE CLUES.
They Practically Result in Nothing
to Build a Theory On.

A Journal reporter made a careful ex-
animation of the ]. S. Collins home, in
search of clues to the murder.
An examination of the sill of the
north window, which was not fastened,
showed plainly that some one had en-
tered, or left the house, through the
window quite recently In two different
places the paint was marred as if the
toe of a shoe or boot had been drawn
over it. But Mr.. Collins says that a
little girl, who had been staying in the
house, had been climbing in and out of
the window only a day or two ago.
On the front porch railing was a mark
that had been made by shoe and a bit
of grass that had been crushed. but
these might have been due to the same
cause. A few feet to the right of the
porch, was a foot print in the soft
earth. 1t was that of a man and was
noticed by several people just before
the rain, and had the appearance of be-
ing fresh.
There is no doubt, whatever, that
some one had climbed onto the porch
from the shed next to the kitchen. The
foot prints were plainly visible;
searching examination of the window
leading onto the roof which was one of
those found unfastened, failed to show
any marks. The person who walked on
the roof would have had no trouble in
entering through this window, for it is
not a difficult matter to raise the win
dow. The window weights are gone, so
that the sash cannot be made to stay
up WITHOUT pSluS neiQ up WIN d SUCK.
1t was not up in the morning when the
officers made the first investigation and
the tracks on the roof seemed to lead
to the window, but none left it. This
would indicate that the burglar enter
ed by this window, and left by some
other way.
A minute examination of the earth in
the alley next to the shed, did not re-
veal any tracks that would indicate
that some one had jumped off the roof
of the shed, but the examination was
not made until after the rain, and they
have been made indistinct.
The fact that puzzles everyone is the
disappearance of the two revolvers that
were kept under the pillows in the bed
occupied by Mr.. and Mrs. Collins. 1t
was at first reported that there was but
one revolver, but Mrs. Collins says that
she had weapon, which she kept I'M
der her pillow, just as Mr.. Collins kept
his.
Both weapons were of SO caliber and
Smith & Wesson make. Mrs. Collins
revolver was old fashioned and had no
trigger guard and was not self-acting.
The revolver which Mr.. Collins kept
under his pillow was modern and self
acting Both had nickel barrels and fin
ishing.
What has become of these revo1vers?
Mrs. Collins says that she is positive
that they were in their places on Tues
day evening, for one of them had slip
ped down between the mattress and the
springs, and Mr.. Collins replaced it I'M
DER the Pillow
1t is not likely that Mr.. Collins re-
moved the revolverS himself. He was
never known to carry one except when
out late at night. 1t was thought that
he might have left them at his office,
but they were not found there, and Miss
Mary Wyatt, who has been his clerk for
many years, says that she does not re-
member that Mr.. Collins ever kept a
revolver at his office.
A search was made of the house for
the weapons. Everything in the closet
off the parlor bed room was overhauled,
but they could not be found. The var
ious rooms of the house were searched,
with no better result. Then the party
went to the attic and continued the
search among dust and cob webs, but
nothing was found that would throw
the least light upon the mystery or the
whereabouts of the revo1vers-
The interior of the barn was exam
ined, and the outhouses were also sub
jected to a searching inspection, but the
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