Evening journal., 1902-04-29
FIGHTING TO
CLEAR COLLINS
JOItOd Confession Out Of De-
mented Negro
HAS MANIA FOR BICYCLES
COIOred Mans Clothing Nav Prove
70 be Of Little Use to the
Defense
HAS MANIA FOR BICYCLES
STAR Correspondence Evening Journal.

stan Correspondence Evening Journal
Georgetown. April 29.-Not since the
days of Patty" Cannon has Sussex
county been so torn up and excited by
a cold-blooded and cruel murder as it
is at present.
The terrible murder of Mrs. Aida
Collins on April II at her home has
shattered the compOsure of the citi-l
zens.
The husband, Elmer p Collins, is
suspected of the crime, and is held in
$500 bail for the October term of court
His arrest aroused the Indignation of
his relatives and friends, and they feel
bitter towards the State detectives who
made the arrest.
About seven out of every ten per-
sons in the county who are familiar
with the case. express the belief
that the husband did the deed, but
they cannot furnish a motive for the
awful crime. The husband declares
that he is innocent.
Mr.. Collins relatives and friends Or
ganized to clear him of the charge of
murder and to accomplish that end
they employed a PinkertOn detective.
This detective realized what was ex-
pected of him, and set about to arrest
a colored preacher, but dropped him
like hot potato. There was gen.
eral protest against this action, and
the colOred pastor threatens to sue for
damages.
Found Dementeo Negro Pliable
Hearing that a half-witted negro
had committed an assault upon a
farmer named Anderson, and had been
arrested, the Philadelphia detective
turned his attention to him. He found
ihe demented negro as pliable to his
purpose as If he were made of putty,
it is said, and he sent for a fellow de-
tective who is an expert ON sweating
confessions out of prisoners. This Of
ficer visited the Jail, in the absence Of
Sheriff Hart. and the means he en-
ployed to make the crazy man say that
he killed Mrs. Collins have been open
~ criticised and denounced. Persons
who know Waite, the colOred prisoner,
are most loud in their expressions Of
disbelief of his guilt
They know that the negro has no
mind of his own, and can, by a
little rough and determined handling
be made to say anything.
He has a mania for bicycles, and he
has as much affection for wheel as
farmer does for his horse. 1t seems to
suit his crazy notions to be whirling
down the country roads on wheel.
and he HAS served several terms in Jail
for stealing bicycles.
The detective, while sweating him,
is said TO have bounced him around on
the cot in the cell, while a magistrate
stood near to record the words jolted
from the wretch.
Sheriff Hart was present during part
of THE sweating" and says that he
would not permit the negro to be hurt
Il would not let them pinch him or
hurt him in any way, but they did
chuck him under the chin and tell him
to look them in the eyes and tell the
TRUTH" said Sheriff Hart yesterday to
an Evening journal reporter.
Sheriff. do you think that this man
killed Mrs. Co1lins?"
"It is very weak evidence against
him in my opinion" said he.
Discrepancy in the Confession
In the confession extorted from
Waite in this singular manner, the
negro said that after committing THE
deed he heard the people coming, and
he put his bicycle ON his shoulder and
ran away towards the swamp. This
sounds ridiculous from several view
points 1t is hardly likely that man
would shoulder his bicycle when at
tempting to escape in a hurry. The
ground over which ne travelled was
hard and he could have made better
time on his wheel
According to the evidence at the
hearing before the court the body was
cold and the blood on the clothing dry
when the neighbOrs arrived on the
scene, so that fact alone discredits the
story that the negros leaving was
hastened by the approach of the neigh
bors or the husband.
State Should Have Clothing
Friends of Mr.. Collins allege that the
negro's clothing and shoes are sprink-
led with blood. and they have taken
charge of these garments. They sent
a new suit to the negro and took pos
session of his. This action is criti-
cised by conservative men and law
yers. The Attorney-General should
have been the one to take the clothing
they say.
while not meaning to reflect on
anyone. but speaking from a lega'
viewpoint" said a lawyer today, 'i'
would be a very easy matter TO tosprinkle
human blood on the clothing and ther
put dust on it to make it appear old
Such evidence as these clothes wOulC
make. If blood is found upon them
would be OF little use i'm court"
The clothes are said to have been de
livered to the State chemist yesterda,
for analysis. He will report in a few
days.
Makes LNeryman Shiver
NrcKora Holt the vrelI-lxnovn liverv