The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05

without having to sign for it. had a
sensible effect on the spectators in the
court room this morning. People who
had listened in a Lstless manner to the
testimony of Mr.. Gage and the preliml-
nary examination of Miller, became
suddenly interested when the attempt
ed purchase of poison was mentioned,
and their attention became most
marked.
6. 6. Gage of Topeka, an old friend of
the Collins family, was the first witness
called this morning.
Mr.. JetmOre explained that Jess
Harper was the first witness sched-
uled for this morning, but he tele-
phOned the county attorney from Law
renee that he could not reach Topeka
until 1890 this forenoon, and for that
reason Mr.. Gage was called.
MIR. Gage on the Stand.
Mr.. Gage has lived in Topeka for 43
years. He was examined by Mr.. Jet
more. He first met John Collins last
February, when the young man came
to his house, 409 Van Buren, to talk
business and was taken into the parlOr.
The witness then told how John Col
Inns told him he wanted to borrow $50.
He said he owed some bills at Lawrence
where he was attending school, and
needed some money. Il told him l
would see his father the next day and
if Mr.. J. S. Collins said he wanted his
son to have the money, would loan it
to him.
Q.-How long was he there?
Alive minutes
Odd he say who he owed?
A-No, sir.
Q.-How long did he want the money?
A.-Until his school term was out in
June, then he expected to earn it.
Odd you see his father?
A-No.
''Object,' said Mr.. Hayden. ''This is
irrelevant"
Sustained" said the court.
Q--When did you hear from John?
A.-The next morning 1 found letter
on my doorstep.
The prosecution attempted to ascer-
tain what was in the letter which Mr..
Gage had destroyed, but the defense OBJ
jected and was sustained
a week later John Collins again
called and Mr. Gage told him he could
not loan the money. Collins pressed
him, and said his father was hard
up Mr.. Gage declined to make the
loan because John objected to a confer
ence with his father.
Q--Did you see him again?
A.-NOt until the morning his father
was killed. Some one came to my
house, told my wife that Collins had
been shot and they wanted me at the
house at once.
o-What time did you reach the
house?
About o'clock should judge.
Q.-Was DR.. Grubbs there?
Al do not remember.
Q.-Who did you meet at the house?
A-John Collins.
Q.-Where? .
AT the front door,
Q.-What did he say?
AIR. Gage I sent for you, want
you to help bury my father He said
Mr.. NelIis would have charge of the
Q.@Ten the jury what was Johns
condition; his manner and attitude.
Ale appeared cool, deliberate. and
Q-was he crying?
A.-No.
Odd you see any tears in his eyes?
A-No.
Q-How long were you there?
A-Ten minutes.
Q-Was John there all the time?
Al do not remember seeing him
after left him at the door.
Q-You We're back again?
Ayes, about an hour later in the
Q-Did you talk to John?
Q-Describe Johns attitude and con-
ditiOn at that time.
Al heard him say nothing, and saw
no tears in his eyes.
Cross examination by Mr.. Hayden.
Odd John tell you his father was
able to furnish him the money needed
at school?
Ale said his father was hard-up
Q.-When you went to the Collins
house he was cool, quiet and gentle
manly?
Ayes.
Q.-Was his conversation reluctant.
At was a cool business proposition
with him.
Q.-How many people were there?
A-Twenty or thirty.
Q.-Coming and going?
Ayes.
Q-Do you know whether John had
been crying?
Al do not
Redirect examination by Mr.. Jetmore.
Q.-Describe the note which you re-
ceived from John?
Defense objected but was overruled.
Att was a peculiar long hand writ
ing and took both me and my wife to
read it.
Odd it slant down?
Al do not remember.
Q.-Was it printed?
A-No, it was written.
Mr.. Gage was here excused.