Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-04-17


the chant of the choir. There were
few dry eyes in the church when the
funeral party had been seated and the
service began. The funeral services
were conducted by the Reys. +. j.
Cochran, III. G. Turner and ID. II. Willis.
The remains we're laid to rest in the
nearby churehyard. As the earth was
thrown upon the body Ashes to ashes,
aust to dust, - one Of the sisters of the
dead woman, with a cry of 80 God,
that she should have met such Il death,
with no one to tell who did it! Sneak,
sister, sEeak!' tainted away, and was
borne to her carriage.
Persons coming from the funeral Of
Mrs. Collins stopped at the house until
the crowd reached such proportions tnat
they were driven off by the authorities.
Mr.. Collins and his children urdye
directly home alter the funeral ana no
was taKen into custody Immediately by
the otilcers.
Tho detectives did not bring their
prisoner into town until after 8 o clock,
thinking by thut time the crowd would
have dispersed, but in this they were
mistaken. The whole street was 4 mass
OF human beings wnen they drove to
the side entrance of the Laurel Hotel
with their prisoner.
Collins accompanied the officers to
the dlnlngroom, whore he ate nearty
supper. lie was then taken to an upner
room to await tne arrival of d convey
ance to take him to Georgetown to
the county Jail. At $40, when he was
brought out OF the hotel to be taken to
the carriage, at least $40 persons were
on the scene, but no violence was
offered. After Collins LETT the crowd
separated,
The detectives say that they arrested
Collins mainly because of suspicious
marks on his clothes and certain con
iilctlng circumstances. The shirt That
Collins wore when he says ne found
his wife dead in the Stable was exam
ined by the detectives YESTERDAY, and
tney say they found blood on tae wrist
band. Collins states that the blood
got there while he was in the act Of
picking up his wife's body. The de-
taetives are inclined to believe that
Mrs Collins was killed in the hennery
and that her body was then removed TO
the stable. The detectives learned yes
terdiy that Mrs. Collins li1e was not
insured.
Georgetown. April 10. Elmer J. Col
Inns, the husband of Mrs. Aida Collins,
who was found murdered at her home.
near Laurel, last Saturday morning,
was brought here early this morning,
charged with the terrible crime of
wife murder. He was in the custody
OF Detectives Ratledge and Francis and
Constable Phillips OF Laurel,
As it was so late Collins was not
given hearing last night, but was
locked up in tho Jail. This morning
he was taken before Charles L. pur-
nell, u justice OF the peace, and uaiv-
ing hearing, he was committed to
jail without bail.
Former Attorney General Robert G.
White had been telephoned to last night
by Collins friends and retained in the
case. This morning ne presented q pc
tltlon to tho court which is in session
here, for u hearing under a writ of
habeas corpus. The court has the reti-
ton under adVisement and will render
q decision some time today in all prob
ability. Mr.. White contends that there
is absolutely no ground Of susp cion
lustifying the holding of Collins for
the crime.
There is no feeling here against Col
Inns, public opinion being luath to point
the accusing hand at this man, because
of the very meagsr evidence which the
State detectives seem to have. There
may be some evidence the public knows
of, but in view OF all the cir
cumstances surrounding the case, this
is very seriously doubted and the people
are awaiting the proof of the State
upon the hearing under the habeas
corpus.
Georgetown, April 16.-The applica-
ton o. Robert q. White for the adj
of Elmer Collins to bail is to
be heard before the court at George
town on Friday.
On the same day the application for
a now trial for Nehemiah Harmon, CON
victed OF the murder of William Ii.
is to be heard. Attorney
General Ward and Deputy Attorney
General Richards are to represent the
State in the two cases.
Defective Ratledge conferred with
Mr. Richards last evening concerning
the Collins case