Evening journal., 1903-03-23
COLLINS SAYS
HE IS SATISFIED
With Progress Made Thus
Far in His Murder
Trial
EXPECTS TO Be FREE NEXT WEEK
Was Visited Yesterday BY His Rela-
tives and Seems in the Best of spir-
its-Jurors Attended Church Service
in the Morning.
Special to the BverInR Josarnal.


Georgetown, e23.-After re-
cess of nearly two days, the jury which
has been trying Elmer Collins for the
murder Of his wife, reconvened short
ly after noon. The crowd was not
quite so large as on the previous days,
the roads being SO bad that many
could not get here.
Upon calling the list of witnesses
eight did not respond and attachments
were issued for them.
The Rev. w. ]. Corkran was the first
witness called this afternoon. He said
he drove to the scene Of the murder
on the day of the tragedy. He testified
to Collins grief. Collins afterward
showed him and the Rev. Mr.. Nc
Cready the place where the body was
found. He denied the testimony Of
Mr.. McCready, that Collins said he
took money from his trousers pocket
and gave it to his wife before going to
the field. This was an important point
as all the other witnesses except Nc
Cready said that Collins told his wife
TO get the money from the house and
bring it TO the field with her and did
not give it to her.
James e. Collins, the old father of
the Esuroered woman, went on the
stand and contributed his mite of tes-
timony to help clear his son-in-law. He
is the second relative OF the murdered
woman who has testified for the ac-
cused. His sister was on the stand on
Saturday.
ELMER and his wife never had any
differences" he said. They were often
at my house. I saw them at their own
home and they never had any trouble
on the day OF the murder. I was at
Hearn's Mill and did not hear Of the
murder until 100 o'clock.
Il got to Elmer's about o'clock.
remained there about half an hour
In answer to a question from Mr..
Richards, he said it was the custom
for his wife to help her husband in
the field.
Curtis r. vickers said he was in
Collins house on March % and sold
him some tomato seed. He identified
a package OF seed found in the Col
ins house as the one he sold TO Col
lins. He denied the statements made
by the State detectives that the corn
crib door was locked on Sunday.
Mrs. Susan Walston, q sister Of the
prisoner, said that when she arrived on
the scene OF the murder her brother
she arrived IN the kitchen on Saturday
afternoon she found n cup Of fresh
yeast In her judgment she said IL was
put there on Saturday morning.
The days following the murder Col
Inns spent with his children. She said
she had seen Collins, his wife and chill
dren in the field together.
Mr. Ward in cross-eXamining the
witness, tried to show that yeast had
been made before.
After dinner the jury spent the day in
THE court room lounging around and
watching the rain.
In The evening the men attended tho
Presbyterian Church and heard the Rev
J. e. Henderson preach. They occupied
seats near the front.
Discussed Case.
The case was the sole topic of conver-
sation in the hotel reading room. Thi.
room in the Eagle hotel seems to be tn,
regular meeting place for the men of the
town. 1t was yesterday, but maybe this
was because the day was rainy. 1t was
crowded all day. the trial being discussed
from morning TO night. There was mucl
speculation as to when the case will end
lit is not believed the defense will clos
untm Thursday. 1t will depend upon tbs
Testimony offered, whether the state viii
introduce evidence in rebuttal. II this d.
done the case will surely not end befor'
next Saturday. 1t IS believed that on'
full day will be required by the lawyers
to make their addresses to the jury.
colored Folks Stranded.
A number of colored people from
Smyrna, who came here expecting to tes
aify on Saturday, became stranded. Thel
did not have enough money to pay thei
fares home and did not have enoug.
money TO pay board. They were IN
great state of agitation when the State de
tectlves found them boarding house.
1t is expected THAT the trial will cost th'
county about 5000. besides what it viii
cost The State. This may be several hun
Cred dollars more.