The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-03

STABBED BY
AN ITALIAN
George Collins Probably
Fatally Wounded.
NO WARNING OF ATTACK.
Set Upon in the Dark After Alighl-
Ing From a Trolley Car.
NO WARNING OF ATTACK.
GOV. DYER OFFERS A REWARD.

George Collins, "a years of age. res
ident OF Seekonk, Mass, was probably
fatally stabbed I'm East Providence
early Sunday morning. Collins is un-
married, and had been driving a small
beer wagon for George Knapp. Satur-
day night he came To Providence, and
remained until the last car started for
Rumford, about three quarters of a
mile from his home.
When he got on the car he was smok-
ing a cigar. The conductor noticed
that Collins was mindng his own busi-
ness, and that he In nowise interfered
with, or spoke to. two Italians who
were on the seat beside him. Just be-
fore reaching Red bridge. Collins tried
to throw away his cigar, and in doing
so accidentally struck one of the ltal-
ians i'm the face. He Immediately offer
ed an apology but the Italians would
not accept IL. Collins withdrew TO the
other end of the seat and, so far as
could be judged, the whole trouble had
blown over
The other passengers were three
Swedes, one of whom, named Carlson,
took pretty good notice OF the Italians.
When the car reached the Rumford
terminus Collins got off on one side
and started for his home. The Italians
alighted from the opposite side, and
the Swedes got off at the farther end
OF the car. Not word was said by
anybody until the Swedes had walked
about 200 feet, when they heard Collins
cry out: Boys. / am dying: | am stab
bed; run for a doctor" Two OF them
ran to DIR. Moore's residence. and got
him with very little delay. The other
stayed with Collins.
DR.. Moore found that Collins had
been stabbed i'm the right side, and that
the loss OF blood had been great. Col
lins was brought to the Rhode Island
hospital where his wound was decfar-
ed probably fatal. The assailant and
his companion had disappeared in the
darkness an hour before the East
Providence police got their first tip on
the affair They could get only mea-
gre description OF the Italians from
the Swedes. Thinking that Carlson, one
OF the Swedes. could identity the assas-
sin the police took him TO an Italian
settlement at Hunts Mill village Every
house there was searched, but without
result.
At noon yesterday. Collins condition
became so serious that IL was deemed
statement. and Coroner VI. s. Babcock
was called from East Providence for
that purpose. Collins repeated substan-
TALLY the story related by the Swedes,
adding that the man who stabbed him
was about five feet 10 inches in height
wore dark clothes and a soft black felt
hat.
Yesterday all day, sergt. Adams of
the East Providence police force. and
his father. Chief of Police Adams, work
ed on the case. and they talked with
number of persons who We're on the
car and visiting farms and boarding
places where Italians live i'm the part
OF the country in which the Rumford
car line runs. They are hopeful that the
conductor may know the Italians by
having seen them on the car at other
times, and thus lead to the identity of
the men.
Chief Adams has consulted with
President Anthony of the East Provi-
dence town council concerning the Of
fering of a reward for information
which will lead 10 the apprehension and
conviction of the miscreants. and he
has been assured that the desired ac-
ton would be taken. The car was in
charge Of Conductor Greene and as he
was out OF town yesterday, no informa-
tion could be obtained from him. Mo-
torman Reynolds could not furnish any
further information to the police. but
he declares that he can identify the
Italians II he sees them again.
Sergt. Adams, In company with Carl
son and man named Hayes. visited n
house in which thee Italians were
found. but Carlson promptlv stated
they were not the men wanted. Several
other houses were searched from cell
lar TO roof but no trace OF the men
were found. There win. however, be no
let up in the search for the people OF
East Providence have been worked up
to n high pitch of Indignation over the
affair.
Collins passed comparatively COM
Portable nieht. and this morning was
no worse than he was Yesterday. His
condition Is still very critical. and the
surgeons In charge Of his case are not
willing to hold out any hone OF recov-
erv for the present. Collins Is n man
who has always led an ORDERLY life and
this. OF course. II greatly in his favor.
Gov. Dyer with his usual prompt
ness In such matters. has offered re-
ward of $500 for the apprehension Of the
person or persons who stabbed Collins,
and n is believed that this Will he an
incentive for soil more vigorous
search for the assassins, and II they
have not already left the state for some
distant point II is believed they will