Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-11
BULLET IN HIS BRAIN
Charles R. Grove is Shot and Killed Behind
His Bar
TOM COLLINS MUST ACCOUNT FOR DEATH
Murder is Done in Cold Blood with No
Attempt to Escape,
GUILTY NANNKeS A BOAST OF HIS CRIME
NeIo'ceS IN the Ao and is Prepared to Bear
he'enalty.
GUILTY MANWKeS A BOAST OF HIS CRIME
BALL TRAVsRSES sAloU KEEPERS BRAIN
Stricken Man n Well l,o,x, r,,,,
Ward Politician, New s,e,L.
After the Shot and 10.
in Few Hours.
He done me dirt last week and l

"He done me dirt last week and I ~
ised to get him; / expect to swing fl !,
and I'm going to die game" exclaimed L,
Collins last night as he was taken in custod
by officers. "He put me out of his saloon
week ago and l came here alone tonight
intending to kill him." he added as he gave
up his revolver to a police sergeant.
His victim, Charles II. Grove a Third
ward saloon keeper, better known as
shorty" died at midnight at the Presby-
terian hospital. The murderer's bullet had
taken effect squarely in the top of his head
and had ranged downward, lodging deep in
the brain The hospital surgeons said at
once that death was only the question of
few hours.
The shooting occurred in Groves place
at 1O1 South Thirteenth street shortly be-
fore o'clock. Tom Collins, the murderer,
a member of the famous Collins Donald
gang, is in custody on a charge of murder.
Collins was not under the influence of
liquor and was perfectly cool. He turned
surly when questioned by reporters and
would not talk
Origin of Quarrel.
The quarrel between the two men began
six months ago with slight alteration in
Groves saloon. Collins has since behaved
in an offensive manner toward the proprietor
and week ago made complaint that he had
been robbed by a woman in one OF the wine
rooms. He claimed to have lost $5 and de-
dad hot bo do
clined to assume the responsibility for the
theft and endeavored to quiet the disturbed.
Collins refused to be paciied, however, and
threatened the proprietor loudly.
Several attaches of the place then put
Collins out doors. He struggled and was
roughly handled, receiving several cuts on
the head AS he left the room Collins swore
that he would be avenged; that he would
return TO take the saloon keepers life.
Last night the saloon was not open for
business, but several hangers-on OF the
place had obtained entrance from the rear.
Around a card table were seated the pro-
prietor, Ed Hilleker, Henry Proctor, John
Ellis and two others. The three men named
are cattle traders in the South Omaha stock
market and live in the north part of this
city.
Game is interrupted.
The game was progressing uneventfuly
when the rear door opened and Collins en-
tered, holding his right hand in his coat
pocket. The newcomer walked to the table
brushed back the cards and seated himself
at one corner. The game was interrupted
and the players observing his threatening
watched him suspiciously. Collins
hand was still thrust in his pocket as he
renewed his claim that he was entitled to
So. His voice was low and those around the
table only caught an occasional word
The saloon keeper, as before, refused to
acknowledge any Indebtedness and Collins
became more noisy Grove arose to his feet
and remarked that he wished to avoid any
trouble This is Sunday night" he added,
and you don't want TO make any disturb
ance." He then walked around the bar and
seated himself at a desk near the window.
He picked up a newspaper and paid no
further attention to his unwelcome guest
Noiiiho ndh lHCtustu AT lDe saloon
keepers apparent indifference and crossed
he room to the bar. Resting his foot on
he rail he leaned toward Grove and thrust
he revolver at his face. Grove looked up
IN instant too late. He saw the extended
weapon and dove desperately under the bar
o escape the bullet. As he ducked his head
he ball took effect exactly in the center
md the stricken man fell without word.
Murderer Is Captured.
The bystanders, with common impulse,
ushed toward Collins and one of the cattle
men pinioned his arms. George Elliott, the
was engaged at the other end
If the room and his back had been turned.
After the report sounded he reached be-
leath the bar and drew out a heavy cherry
ub kept for emergencies. When the bar
ender reached the struggling group Collins
vas almost helpless in the hands of the
turdy stockmen. The front door, at which
le Stood was locked and there was no
scape
Collins forearm was free, however. and
he bartender saw the revolver turn back,
is muzzle was against ElIiOtts body when
he bartender struck a hasty but well aimed
low and Collins fell. The club was broken
nd the murderer received deep cash on
he head He lay stunned until the arrival
4 the police.
hurry call was sent to the police sta
ion and the wagon, in charge Of Sergeant
yhalen, Detectives Dempsey, Savage, Bald
yin and Jorgenson, made run to the scene.
'ollins had revived and surrendered his re-
oliver to the sergeant. The weapon was
,3S caliber bulldog of a heavy pattern.
he man apparently had full realization
hat he had committed a capital crime and
vas ready to suffer the penalty.
I'm even with him now" he repeated