The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-05-27
The Collins, Murder Case.

Bay City.
The Collins Murder Case.
The third week of the Collins murder
trial is drawing to close, and indica-
tions are that it will last at least one
more week. The prosecution has out
lined the cause of death arsenical pois-
oning-and is now attempting to show
a motive on Mrs. Collins part for the
crime.
FRIDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.
DISCRIMINATION of DIR. Bruce, of
Easton, developed the fact that Mrs.
Collins had been i'll with ptomaine pois-
oning in August, 1908, the sickness TAX
ing the form of sore on the leg. This
was several weeks before Leachman
was taken fatally i'll. Judge Smith rul-
ed out all particulars except the mere
fact that the woman had been ill with
ptomaine, a strong point in favor of the
defense.
DR.. Bruce stated that when Leach
man was first taken sick-late in Sep
TENDER, 1908, he diagnosed it as
ptomalne poisoning, symptoms of which
are almost identical with arsenical pois-
oning. When the doctor told Mrs. Col
Inns that Leachman was suffering from
poisoning, there was a marked change
for the better. In three days Leach
man was we'll.
79S GRAINS OF ARSENIC.
Druggists Wood, and Mayor Stan
ley E. Parkill, of Owosso, recent
ly analysed the contents of a box
of rough-on-rats exactly like the one
purchased by Mrs. Collins, There were
$40 grains in the box of which 90 per
cent, or 79S grains, were pure arsenic.
After Leachman's death and two months
after the purchase of the poison by Mrs.
Collins, Sheriff Gerow and Deputy
Sheriff Thompson searched the Collins
house from cellar to attic, searched the
outbuildings and barn thoroughly, and
swear that they found absolutely no
trace of the poison or of the box which
contained it, and could find no traces
where it had been used to kill rodents.
SATURDAY MORNING.
Mrs. Amelia Leachman testified Fri
day afternoon. She is Georges mother,
and as the lady, who is German, does
not speak English very well, Carl Pick
ert, of Corunna. acted as interpreter.
Mrs. Leachman went over to the Col
Inns place when she heard he was sick in
bed, George complained of his eyes,
which were sore, swollen and infamed.
Mother" he said,' 81 am all on fire on
the inside. I feel as though was burn
ing up. Unjust have more water. The
doctor says I can only have two tea
spoonfuls at time"
Mrs. Leachman gave the sick man a
glassful of water. Although there was
ice in it she says he complained of its
being warm. Il could drink pail of
water" he said. Some ice she gave him
tasted warm, George complained.
George vomited frequently.
Early one morning when Mrs. Collins
thought her asleep, Mrs. Leachman saw
the prisoner coming from the sick room
concealing a spoon in the folds of her
dress. She went to George, who vomit-
ed violently, and complained of feeling
wild.
The court ordered that all testimony
secured of Mrs. Collins in the county
Jail by Sheriff Gerow and Prosecutor
Parker be stricken out, as a prisoner
has rights which must be respected.
MONDAY MORNING.
The prosecutions first attempt to con-
meet Mrs. Collins with Leachman's
death in the way of a motive occurred
on Saturday when Mr.. Chapman asked:
what did your son George ever say to
you about his being jealous of Mrs. Col
lins"2
The defence objected, pointing out
that If this line of testimony were al
lowed, the jury's mind might be pref
udiced against the prisoner, especially
if illicit relations were shown between
Mrs Collins and Leachman. The prose-
cution declares this line of testimony
absolutely necessary to Che proving of
the motive, even though Mrs. Collins
reputation for virtue may be damaged
thereby. sas ff3
On Monday morning Judge Smith
ruled that the testimony might not be
brought in at this time, it was not es-
tablished that Mrs. Collins was response
BILE for Leachman's death.
The jurors attended the Congregation
al church in this city Sunday morning.
All are in good health and spirits.
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Weisenberger,
neighbors Of Mrs. Collins, were damag-