Evening journal., 1903-03-19
MAY RHOADS
ON THE STAND
Woman in the Case Testifes as to
Her Relations With Man Ac-
cused of Wife Murder

she said she told several people and
afterwards Ratledge.
Il told people had seen letters Col
Inns had written to a girl"
Sh eadmitted going to Pennington
and writing letter to herself, but said
she did not remember the contents.
Mr.. White asked her If she did not
have a grievance against Jacob Collins.
She answered that she did not like
what he had said about her
She wals asked if her relations with
Collins were more intimate than hug
ging and kissing. She refused TO an
sWer.
State Detective Ratledge, who was
on the stand when court ad-
journed last night. was the first wit
ness called in the Collins murder case
this morning. He went 10 the witness
stand carrying a large box filled with
bloody exhibits. The first one he showed
was a piece Of wood, containing a spot of
blood IN which he found a womans hair.
When he found tho halr he had Mr..
Hawley, of Laurel with him but Hawley
has since died. The hair and bloody
board were sent to the State chemist al
Newark, for examination. The detective
then exhibited a blue skirt spattered with
blood, which was found in the second
story Of the Collins home.
Most Of today's session OF the Court
Of Oyer and Terminer, which is try
ing Eumer Collins, charged with tho
murder Of his wife, was occupied in
hearing evidence as to CORY pieces oi
boards, skirt, a woman's hair taken
from clot of blood taken from the
corn crib and blood stained manure
taken from a row in the tomato patch
In which Collins was working On tn,
morning Of the murder.
The State contends that this manur,
was taken from the hen house and de
posted in the field by Collins to hid,
the presence Of blood in the CHECKER
house.
The evidence as to the finding O
this blood-curdhng evidence Of murde
was given by State Detective Ratledge
He also exhibited the articles purport
ing TO be garments worn by Collins OF
the day of the murder and pieces o
bloody board taken from the hen
house on the farm were shown to tn,
jury.
Ratledge then told how he went I,
the tomato patch, where Collins wal
working on the morning of the murder
and took from the rows in the patel
some hen manure he found there. Thi
manure was sent to Or. Robin for ex
amination to see if he could fnd trace
Of human blood. The manure was of
fered in court and admitted as evidence
AThus outlined the detective the cmnec
ton he had with Collins in which tn
alleged murderer said that whOeve
murdered his wife did not visit tn
house as "a in money on the mante
was mot taken.
l Curvin Henry said he stayed at tn
Collins house the night of the day th
murder was committed. He said he OF
fered to stay there and take care of Col
Il Inns stock, but Collins said he wOul
do it.
1 Florence r. White said she WAS in MI
Pleasant Church, where the funera
services were held and said that whe
Collins came to view the body of hi
wife. he leaned over the casket an
said: 'My darling Ida, if l had mo
gone away It would not have happen
ed and 1 did not even say goodbye
tWhO did, it? Who could have done it
Why did they not take the money an
yleave you?"
When the witness started to tell c
the funeral scene Collins buried his fac
in his hands.