The St. Louis Republic., 1904-03-27
Washington. He was invited to attend b
Sheriff Bruch.
CROWD OF TWO THOUSAND
FILLED THE JAIL YARD.

CROWD OF TWO THOUSAND
FILLED THE JAIL YARD.
At lis the invited guests to the hang
ing had taken their places inside the jail
yard. On the outside a crowd of at least
1000 persons swarmed around and craned
their necks for glimpse Of the proceed
ings. At this time Collins was making his
final preparations for his march to the
gauows. In Collinss cell were Sheriff
Bruch. Sheriff Mumbrauer Of Gasconade
County and Detective E. S. Mcclure
As Collins was being strapped, the
Sheriff had some difficulty in fixing the
buckle. Once it was thought that the
strap had broken.
IF that strap isn't any good" said Col
Inns. get new one. I'll wait for you"
Before leaving Collins gave Detective
Mcclure letter. which he asked him to
send to his sister. Della Wade. In Water
bury, Conn.
Il also want you to take the rosary that
1 shall wear" said Collins, "and send that
to my sister. She Is the only friend I
have"
$50 LONG, BILL" SAID
COLLINS To RUDOLPH.
As Collins was ushered from the cen
he asked permission Of the Sheriff to
speak word to Bill Rudolph. This re-
quest was granted. Collins went to Ru-
dolph's cell and whispered something to
him that the others didn't hear He talked
only minute. He shook hands with Ru-
dolph and in leaving said: so long, Bill"
to which Rudolph responded, so long"
The march to the scaffoid began at I:2.
In front OF Collins was Sheriff Bruch and
Sheriff Mumbrauer. At either side OF the
prisoner were Deputy Sheriff O. L. veider
and Deputy Louis Gehlert Armed Depu-
ties followed the procession.
At the gate the Sheriff cleared the way
for the party. Everyone stepped aside,
The crowd had been talking and laughing.
There was a hush Everyone looked ex-
pectantly at Collins. He appeared a triie
weak. but he was able to walk He seemed
for the first time to have some apprecia-
tons Of the awful seriousness of the pro-
ceedings.
THREW HIS HAT ASIDE
AS HE MOUNTED SCAFFoLD.
He walked up the steps without falter-
Ing and. as he mounted the scaffold, he
took of his hat hat and threw 1t aside.
He looked at the spectators for moment.
There was just the trace OF smile on his
lips His eyes held that same careless
The black cap was adjusted by Sharir
Mumbrauer. Sheriff Bruch made the other
persons on the scaffold step back. There
was a minute of absolute silence. Then
The Sheriff gave the word to vedder. In
another ha
Collins dropped.
Life was still apparent as the body hung
% the rope. Collins breathed deeply. The
,rowd waited and gasped curionsly. The
octors, U. G. Miller and o. z. stierberger.
pronounced the man dead after the expi-
alton Of thirteen minutes.
The body of Collins was taken In charge
~ Sheriff Bruch and sent to the under
aking establishment Of Oscar Busch. It
vas placed in a pine box, which was COW
red with a plain black cloth. It will be
leld at the undertaker's tonight. and will
e buried tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock
n the cemetery at Union.
Father McErlane will remain here and
onduct the Catholic funeral service at
he grave Collins body could be inferred
within consecrated ground, as ne died
With the sacraments Of the church. but,
s there is no one to claim the body, the
tate will bear the expense, it will rest in
he pauper division Of the Union Gem
terry.
The rope with which Collins was hanged
7as damaged by persons who wanted
ieces Of it as souvenirs. Many morbidly
urious persons cut up pieces Of the scaf-
DID, and In other ways secured relics
of the hanging Of the
fnion Bank robber.
STEPHEN B. oGRADY.