The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-17

Miss Hopkins came to the Collins resi-
deuce on the day J s Collins was kill
she went to one of the upstairs closets
TO get soma additional bed clothing and
as she pulled a comfort down from a
shelf the revolver belonging to Mrs
Collins. dropped from the folds OF the
quilt. This was the revolver which had
been kept in the Collins bed. but was
missing from its accustomed place when
the bed was searched a few minutes af-
ter J. s Collins was dead Miss Hop
klns called to Mrs Collins and told her
of finding the revolver. Mrs. Collins
locked the closet, and said she would
report the discovery TO the proper auth
critics. The pistol was left lying where
1t had fallen until Chief Steele went to
the closet and took possession OF H.
Miss Hopkins knew nothing Of the re-
vOlVer. or how II came there She r6sL-
ned that John Collins seemed greatly
affected By the death Of his father, and
that he manifested no other feeling AZ
any time
Martha Jane Gillespie Testifies.
Miss Martha Jane Gillespie OF Au-
burn. was the next witness She was
present at the Collins funeral among
Tnouruers. being a niece Of the deceased
Miss Gillespie stated that she had been
associated with John considerably dur
ing that time and he manifested much
sorrow and GRIEF at the death Of his
father although she said, the defend
ant seemed to be making an effort to
refrain from giving away to his feelings
for the sake of his mother and sister
She also testified that John Collins and
the other members OF the family were
on the most aff6Ctjouate terms
Howard Leonard. John Collins room
mate at the Beta house, said During
the time I TOOued with hin1-he was
one of the best r0Ommates L ever had
he was always kind. generous and
warm hearted
Leonard testified that Collins had told
him that he had lost his diamond stud
and that John and made a thorough
search Of every part OF the room at the
Beta house, but did not find IL. The
witness also rOOmed with Harold Smith
who came to Topeka with a Lawrence
crowd in & presenta ton of THE
Rivals" Leonard said Smith came TO
Lawrence. as John Collins has previous
ly testified at the time being assistant
treasurer Of the Coates Opera house, and
told a crowd at the Beta house that he,
Smith. had a chance 10 go on the road
during the summer vacation with
Uncle Toms Cabin tent show. and that
he would be in d position 10 give some
of the boys Jobs for the summer Smith
is the man John Collins says he went TO
Kansas city TO see ABOUT q JOO- Inc
negroes swear that Collins went to
Kansas City 10 get a gIycerine bomb.
Leonard came to Topeka Friday, May
13, and was at the Collins house with
John. until the following Tuesday. He
said "All of the time I was with him
he was very emotional and seemed
greatly affected by his fathers death
AFTER the DCQT was placed IN the caSEkeC
and carried TO the parIor went in with
him Saturday night 10 see the casker-
looked at IT and turned to 90 out.
when John went around. and with his
face very elose~t the glass, stood gaz-
ing at his father. When we started out
of the room I said something TO him.
but he couldn't reply. He chOked up with
a sob. and after WIpIng his eyes, walked
on ahead of me into the library. When
I shook hands with John to leave him.
I saw the first tears in his eyes He had
previously managed to check himself,
but at this time ne turned away from
me with tears in his eyes He could not
speak for sObbiugn
Leonard was asked If he was in the
room with John at the Beta house on
the evening of May Il, when the defend
ant wrote the note TO Miss BabCock
saying he wanted to talk with her the
following morning at the university.
The reply was in the affirmative
Q--Did he write more than one nOte2
A--NO, sir
Q.-who did he give it to?
A small coIored boy,
Odd he give the boy z note to Ed
AIiIIer2
A-No sir. He gave him a note to
Miss BabCock and that was all
The examination Of Leonard and
other witnesses was conducted by Mr..
GODDARD The Cr0ss-examinatiOn was
conducted by Mr. Stafford
Worried Himself Sick.
The prosecution took a new shoot
this morning, which was the natural re-
suit OF developments caused by the teS-
timOuy of John Collins The defendant
said While on the stand, that the Tea-
son he came home to see the doctor was
tEat he had worried himself sick. fear
ing that his dealings with the negroes
would be made public and the loss of
his watch would be found out Mr. SAT-
ford, in ss-exauining Mrs Gillespie,
said
O-Did you notice any sign Of con-
sciOUsuess of guilt of the murder Of his
father in Johns demeanOr2
Odd you notice any signs Of guilt
in any other matter2
A--NO. sir.
Odd you know that John was sus-
pected of the murder OF his father2
A-Tes
Q.-Did he seem worried about H7
Odd he seem worried about any
thing else2
A-NO.
This tack IS taken for the purpose of /
showing that Johns statements about |
being worried concerning his watch /
were untrue His story is being at |
tackled at every point and the prOsecu-
ton viii IN the final presentation of the i
case work on the theory that If Collins /
lied at one time. as he himself admits, [
be is unworthy Of belief at any time
Bishop Frank R. 0Iillspaugh Of the {
Episcopal diocese OF Kansas. 50 years a /
student of human nature. said: 7 con- |
slider John Collins, from every expert I
anCe I have had with him. kfnd-hearted I
and generous. He seemed TO entertain I
and I was SO impressed a very affec- 4
-iOuare feeling for his father and other 4
members Of the family Having read 4
and heard of the defendants dealings /
with negroes. drinking and gambling at 4
lawrence the bishop said IN reply 10 4
Mr. Hayden's questions Does not I
change my opinion Of his relations with 4
the members OF the family
The bishop was asked If he believed 4
that knowing John Collins as he did, /
II ne thought IL possible for the defend
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