The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-08
John Collins Hears the Testimony.


John Collins Hears the Testimony.
The examination of the most interest
ing and one of the most important wit
neSSes in the Collins case commenced.
County Attorney Jetmore cleared his
throat and felt of his bright cOlOred
necktie to see if it was properly adjust
ed Then in his blandest tone he said;
will you please state your name to
the jury?"
Frances Babcock." answered Miss
BabcOck in a well mOdulated but rather
low voice.
Instantaneously there was a noise in
the court room and balcony as those in
the rearcrOwded forward that they might
catch the answers made. Judge HaZen
raped for order. In a moment it was
over and the hundreds of spectators
once more 1apsed into absolute silence
Several short questions followed th9
opening request of the examination.
Then County Attorney Jetmore said:
I beg your pardon for asking you
this question, Miss BabcOck, but were
you and John Collins engaged?''
The silence in the court room seemed
mo. we were not,'' answered Miss
BabcOck in a most emphatic tone.
Again a murmur, sounding like
hushed exclamation, spread through the
crowd Of spectators.
John Collins eyes dropped from the
face of the witness and rested on the
floor. A tinge of red was distinctly Wis
ible on either cheek.
Frances Babcock was at last in her
true light in relation to the trial She
was no longer the supposed sweetheart
Of the accused. She had sworn that she
had not been engaged to him. She was
not there to aid in cOnvicting the man
whose love she had accepted and re-
turned. And then she commenced her
story under the direction of the county
attorney.
1t was a terrible story coupled with
the evidence that has preceded it. I'm
like the other damaging testimony it
did not come from one on whom rested
the stamp of unreliability. 1t was the
story of a young girl of refinement who
had no object in telling anything that
was not the truth. Every man in the
jury box and every spectator in the
court room believed in the truth of eV-
cry statement.
From the moment she announced that
there was no engagement, John Collins
seemed to lose something of his habit
ual cOmpOSure. His form Shrunk still
farther in the chair, and his gaze no
longer rested intently upon her. From
time to time he raised his eyes to look
at her face, but much of the time they
were haIf closed and bent on the floor
! Possibly he had clung to the hope that
Miss BabcOck would refuse to reveal
any circumstances of a damaging char
acter. She answered fully every ques-
tiOn put to her by the prosecuting attor-
ney.
The examination progressed. Step by
step the prosecution unfOlded evidence
which served to cOrrObOrate that al
ready taken. Gradually the story near
ed the incidents directly connected with
the murder of J. S. Collins. Interest in
the court room was most intense.
Miss BabcOck told of receiving the
telegram, Father is dead. Tell moth
ing. OF being called up by telephone,
by John Collins and asked if she had
told anything to any one, and then the
sensation of trial was sprung
standing up before the witness COun-
ty Attorney JetmOre said:
Did you receive a letter from John
Collins that same day?"
I did came from Miss Babcock.
L viii ask you if this is the letter
you received and the one you brought
up with you from Lawrence this morn
1ng?" said Mr.. Jetmore producing a
blue envelope and three double sheets
of unruled writing paper of the same
color
1T is said Miss Babcock.
Il now desire to introduce this letter
in evidence" said the county attorney,
holding it up in his right hand.
We would like to see it first" said
Attorney Hayden, and the letter was
handed the attorney for the defense.
He glanced over it for a few moments
and then handed it back. Wen admit