davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
GOVERNOR HoCH's STATEMENT.
Explains Why He Granted John Col
HnS n Pardon

Governor E w. Hoch, gave out the
following statement concerning his
pardon of John Collins:
The John Collins case is one Of the
most remarkable III annals Of Kan=as
crimfnology- Perhaps No criminal case
in the history of the state has attracted
more attention, or provoked more COM
ment- The case has many peculiar
features. The conviction was effected
with the aid of the sensational testi-
mony of some of the most disreputabIe
characters who ever gave evidence in a
court of justice, but whose testimony
seemed to be corroborated by much cir
Cumstantial evidence, which however
loOses force the more 1t is analyzed
Very questionable detective methods in
the interest of insurance companies fig
ure conspicuously in the case Other
matters not submitted to the jury, but
known to me and to others, COM
plicate the same John Collins is per-
haps the only prisoner in our peniten-
tiary who never was accorded the right
of every convicted mantle right to a
review of his case by the supreme court
and this from no fault of his or his
counsel, but fault of a technical pro-
vision of the law at that time, which
was changed by the next legislature as
a result of this revelation of its injus-
tice.
During the trial of John Collins |
read at my home in Marion every scrap
or evidence and comment concerning
the case published in the Topeka news
PoPCASr anu y every Qay discussed
with lawyers and other gentlemen the
case as 1t was thus reported Opinions
of my fellow citizens at that time all
in possession OF the same information
differed greatly as to John Collins guilt
or innocence. As to myself I came out
of all that reading and daily discussion
with grave doubt as to his guilt. All
this was, of course, long before I ever
expected to sustain any official relation
to the case. For four years I have com
sidered the case from every angle. I
have gone patiently through the
Volumin Gus documents on file in this
office: have listened to countless per
sons and heard their conflicting views
and various theories; I have investi-
gated every phase of the case, and NV
original doubt as to John Collins g11iIt
has constantly grown until If has
passed into an absolute belief of his in
nocence. Here in Topeka, where the
family and all the facts of the trial
were well known, scores of people quite
as competent jurors as the twelve men
who sat in the case believe in his in
nocence. while scores of others in pos
session of the same facts believe him
guilty. Surely, in a case of such wide
publicity and of such general interest,
and with such divergence of views the
tain and conclusive, and at the end Of
the ten long years, during which he
and every member of his family have
contended that he is innocent he
should I think, have the benefit of the
doubt and as one of my last official
acts I not only give him the benefit of
this very prevalent doubt, but I also
give him the benefit of my own per-
Sonal belief in his innocence, a belief
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
COLLINS is FREE.
His Pardon a Christmas Pres
ent From Governor HOch.
Left the Lansing Prison at 10
O'clock This Morning.
WAITED ON DETAILS.
Papers Did Not Reach Warden
Till This Morning.
Action of the Executive Was Not
Unexpected.
TEN YEARS IN PRISON.
Convicted Day Before Christmas
in Year 1898.
AtrOciOuS Murder of Father:
Papers Did Not Reach Warden
Till This Morning.
Action of the Executive Was Not
Unexpected.
TEN YEARS IN PRISON.
Convicted Day Before Christmas
in Year 1898.
AtrOciOus Murder of Father:
is. Collins, the Crime.

Lansing, Kan, Dec. 23.-John Hem
~ Collins. the university student, par
ooned yesterday by Governor Hoch
from the state penitentiary where he
was serving a life sentence for the
murder OF his father, a wealthy To-
peka real estate man, left that insti-
tuition this morning
The pardon was read to Collins in
the warden's office at 10 O'Clock. The
ceremony was brief and after it was
over Collins thanked the prison off
cials that surrounded him and soon
returned to his cell to collect his per-
sonal belongings. Shortly before noon,
In company with Grant Meade, his
stepbrother, Collins departed for To-
peka, his former home.
A party of friends were on hand to
greet him and with them a number of
newspaper reporters. Collins shrank
from the newspaper men, saying he
wished to avoid all the notoriety pos
sible
The reporters wished to accompany
Collins to Topeka. but he requested
that they should not do so. Collins
and Meade planned to go to Kansas
city first, and from there to Topeka
The departure from here was timed
for II o'clock
L III gong nome, SAID ne this MORN
ing. What I'll do after 1 reach there
I have not yet decided
Announces Collins Pardon.
Governor Hoch announced the par
don of John Collins, who has been con-
fined in the states prison at Lansing
for the past ten years for the murder
of his father. ]. S. Collins, in Topeka
May 13, 1898, late Tuesday afternoon.
1t has been expected for some time
that the Collins pardon would be forth
coming from 10
Grace Collins, the young mans sister,
has been at work for years securing
evidence that would move the gov
ernor's heart to clemency. She had on
file in the executives office a large
number of letters, papers and petitions
from persons all over Kansas. These
and the governors well known SYM
pathy carried the day and the pardon
came in the nature of a Christmas gift
for the man serving a life sentence in
prison.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
ALL WANT TAFT.
Thirty Cities In Texas Invite Him to
Come and He VIII Go.

Augusta, Ga, Dec. 23.-President-
elect w. H. Taft has decided to visit
the state of Texas at some convenient
time after his inauguration preferably
at the end of the special session of
congress which he is to call to revise
the tariff. While his itinerary for the
visit has not been arranged he will
make the city of Dallas one of the
principal points of the trip.
Thirty cities and towns of the lone
star state united in a request for his
presence at any time he should choose
to come. The invitation expressed q
keen desire on the part of the COM
mercial bodies of the places in ques-
tion to make the personal acquain-
tance of Mr.. Taft and promised him
a cordial welcome and courteous
treatment. It also 6welt upon the ad-
vantage which would result both to
the state and to himself through such
a visit
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
MISTOOK SIGNALS.
Causes Wreck and Injury of Five
Persons.

Chaffee, Mo, Dec ga local pas
senger train on the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois railway collided with a freight
train here at 1880 o'clock last night
and five persons were injured. The
injured:
Clark Deming, Lowwasie, Mo, back
broken
J. S. Springer. conductor, Chaffee,
Mo-, head bruised.
Seward Carroll Caneyville, KY, leg
broken.
C. E. Sanders, Carwood, Mo-,
bruised.
Charles R. Hardin, Edna, o.,
burned serious.
The accident is believed to have
been due to a confusion of signals.
Chaffee is 144 miles south of st.
Louis.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
EXPECT JOHN HOME TONIGHT.
Mrs. Collins Says This Will Be a
Happy Christmas.

governor Hoch is grand good
man. was the statement made TO a
state Journal reporter this morning by
Mrs J. s Collins, the stepmother of
John Henry Collins, when seen at her
home, 1011 West Eighth street. And
that doesn't half express it," she added
as she talked about the pardon of her
stapson from the state penitentiary.
1--WE are expecting John home some
time today and he will likely be here
in time for supper, although we do not
know the exact time that he Will ar
rive said Mrs. Collins. ''It Will GER
tafnly be happy meeting for US. We
had rather been expecting the pardon
for some time. but when ii became the
fact we had anticipated it didn't lessen
our rejoicing one bit.
1--WE will have a happy Christmas,
but l can't say that it will be a merry
one in view of the past. We have al
ways tried. however, to look upon the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
NO MONEY in 1T.
Registered Mail Package Stolen at
Kansas City.

Kansas City, Dec. IA mail
pouch containing sixty pounds of reg
istered packages consigned to eastern
points, was stolen from the baggage
room of the 22nd street and Grand
avenue depot of the Belt line railway
last night Although the postOffice
authorities refuse to make any state
ment as to the contents of the pouch,
it is believed to have contained many
valuable packages.
There was no money in it. The
pouch was made up in the Kansas
City postoffice.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23

brightest side of life even when in our
trouble. Grace is particularly happy
today as she has never tired in her
efforts to secure cIemency for John, in
the ten long years since his conviction.
and even when things looked darkest
she never once gave up hopes.
I'VE are making no plans for the
future. We don't know what John
will want to do and we will wait until
he comes. We will probably make no
definite plans for some time yet, and
will just allow time to take its course.
fall
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
Two cars of Mail Burned.

Omaha, Neb., Dec. 23.-The Union
Pacific today brought in the water
soaked remains of two cars of mail
burned west of Cheyenne. one on Sat
urday and the other Monday last. They
were what are known as storage"
cars. filled with paper mail and bulky,
unregistered Christmas packages, there
being no clerks with them. 1t is not
known how the fire started.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
Weather Is Cooler.

The weather today is cooler and the
prospects of a fine Christmas day are
beginning to vanish Today is quite
cloudy and the clouds threaten rain or
snow. A change of colder weather is
predicted by the weather bureau and
the elements today seem to incline to-
wards this prediction. The wind today
is is miles an hour from the southwest.
The following are the temperatures for
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
Special.

A very suitable present for the man
who likes a smoke. Get him box of
Rose Tint or Silver Statue cigars from
S1.OO UP. We can send a box of cigars
to any place in the United States by
express for 15c. The largest line of
Meerschaum and Briar pipes ever
shown in Topeka. CHAS S. EAGLE.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
weather Indications.

Chicago, Dec 23.-Forecast for
Kansas: Partly cloudy tonight and
Thursday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23

Continued on Page Eighty
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23

CONTINUED on Page Eight.l
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
For Tax Receiver.

To the Voters of Cobb County Il
hereby announce myself a candidate
for the office of Tax Receiver of Cobb
county, subject to the Democratic pri-
mary. II elected, promise a.faithful
and dilligent discharge of the duties OF
the office. G r. DURHAM.
To the Voters of Cobb connty-I
hereby make announcement that l am
in the race for Tax Receiver, subject
to the Democratic primary. l stand
fully on the two term plank.
ROBERT Fl. Barnes.
To the Voters of Cobb county: l
hereby announce myself candidate
for Tax Receiver, subject to the Demo-
cra9ic primary respectfully solicit
the votes and support Of the people and
promise il elected to discharge the du-
ties OF the Office faithfully and consci-
entiously Respectfully,
D. D, DUNN.
To the Voters Of Cobb County Il
hereby announce myself candidate for
the office OF County Tax Receiver, sub
ject to Democratic primary. If nomi~
mated, promise faithful and efficient
service. Feeling the need OF this office,
| earnestly solicit the support Of every
voter, and trusting that may receive
same, remain,
Respectfully, WI WADE.
hereby announce myself candida ate
for tax receiver Of Cobb county, subject
to the coming primary. II elected, /
promise faithful performance of the
duties OF the office. l. ]. MORRIS.
To THE VOTERS OF CoBB COUNTY Il
make this my announcement as "a cam
didate for the Office OF Tax Receiver Of
Cobb county, subject to the County
Democratic primary. | promise the
| people Of this county that if am elect.
ed, | will endeavor &c make them n
painstaking and efficient officer; l will
| discharge the duties of the office to the
best OF my ability | am opposed to
long tenure in office. do not believe
| that it is to the best interest of the tax
payers for any one to be perpetually in
| office. do not believe any OF our coun-
| ty officers should be permitted to hold
Office for any longer than two terms. /
promise the people that il am elected.
| | will not, under any condition, be a
candidate for the third term. / earn
estly solicit the support of every voter
in the county, and / will deeply appre-
ciate the same, Respectfully,
R. r. PErREE.
To the Voters Of Cobb County: /
hereby announce myself a candidate for
| the office OF Tax Receiver OF Cobb coun.
| ty, subject to the Democratic primary
If elected, promise faithful and dill
igent discharge of the duties Of the Of
fee. am opposed to any man holding
office more than two terms, and shall
act accordingly. Respectfully,
Fl. G. LAssIrRR.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
DON'T TAKE THE RISK.

When you have q bad cough or cold
do not let it go dragging along until it
becomes chronic bronchitis or develops
into an attack of pneumonia, but give
it the attention it deserves and get rid
of it. Take Chamberlain's Cough Rem
edy and you are sure of prompt relief,
From small beginning the sale and
use of this preparation has extended to
all parts of the United States and to
many foreign countries. Its many re-
markable cures of coughs and colds
have won for it this wide reputation
and extensive use. Sold by c. M.
Crosby & Co., Marietta, Ga.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
For Tax Collector.

To the Voters OF Cobb County FL
hereby announce myself candidate
for tax collector OF Cobb county, SUBJ
ject to the Democratic primary If
elected, | promise the same faithful
and diligent service that il has been
my pleasure to give in the past. i wish
to thank the good people OF Cobb coun-
ty for their support in the former elec.
tions, and earnestly solicit your votes
in the next election. II. B CLAY
To the Voters OF Cobb County: I.
hereby announce myself as candidate
for the office of Tax Collector OF Cobb
county, subject to the next Democratic
primary, II elected, will devote my
undivided attention and energy to the
duties OF this important office. This is
more lucrative office now than in
former years, when our tax values we're
very much smaller than they are at
present, and one which ! believe should
not be held by one man for more than
two terms. In fact, believe it is to
the best interest Of the people for Of
flee holders generally not to hold office
more than two terms. | put myself
squarely on record now on this point,
and promise, il elected, / shall not be-
come candidate for third term under
any circumstances.
will deeply appreciate the vote and
support OF each and every voter in the
county, Respectfully,
WILL P. STEPHENS.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
SEVEN YEARS OF PROOF,

81 have had seven years of proof that
DR., Kings New Discovery is the best
3 edicine to take for coughs and colds
and for every diseased condition OF
throat, chest or lungs" says W. V.
Henry. of Panama, Mo. The world has
had thirty-eight years OF proof that DR..
Kings New Discovery is the best rem
edy for coughs and colds, la grippe,
asthma, hay fever, brochitis, hemorrh-
age of the lungs, and the early stages
of consumption It's timely use always
prevents the development of pneu-
monia. Sold under guarantee at ] w,
Legg & Co.'s Drug Store. SOC and $l.00
Trial bottle free.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
For County Commissioner

To the Voters Of Second District: /
hereby announce myself as candidate
for County Commissioner to represent
Red Rock, Acworth and Kennesaw dis
tricts, subject to the Democratic pri-
mary, and solicit the support Of the
people. Trusting that ! may receive
the same, | remain. respectfully.
II. j. SPRAYRERRY.
We are authorized to announce A. A.
Martin, Of Powder Servings, as candi-
date for County Commissioners from the
Third district-consisting of Powder
Springs, Mocland, Oregon and Lost
Mnuntain-subiect to the primary elec-
ton.
To the Voters Of Fifth Ward of Cobb
County: hereby announce myself a
candidate for County Commissioner to
represent Merritt's, Roswell. Post Oak
and Gritter Districts, subject 10 Dem
ocratic primary March Doth, and will
appreciate your support.
J. M. BIsHop.
70 the Voters of Cobb County At
the solicitation Of number of citizens,
| hereby announce myself candidate
for County Commissioner for the Mari
eta District subject to Democratic
primary, and if elected, will serve in
that position to the best of my ability.
The support OF the people will be ap-
preciated. r, III. NoRTHoUTT.
To the Voters OF Cobb County:
hereby announce myself as candi-
date for County Commissioner TO rep
resent Coxes, Austell, HoweIls. Lemon,
Winnings and Smyrna Districts, subject
to the Democratic primary, and solicit
the support of the people.
Dora MASER.
To the Voters of Cobb County:
l hereby announce myself as cam
didate for County Commissioners To rep
resent Ooxes, Austell, Howells, Lemon,
Winnings and Smyrna districts, subject
to the Democratic primary, and solicit
the support Of the people.
JOHN T. PACE.
To the Voters of Cobb County:
hereby announce myself Us can
didate for County Commissioner to rep
resent Roswell, Merits. Post Oak and
Gritter districts, subject to the Demo-
cratic primary and solicit the support
of the people. Trusting that may re-
ceive the same, remain,
Respectfully, RoBT. +. BIsHoP
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30

VIII be sold before the court house
door, in the city of Marietta, Cobb coun-
ty, Ga, within the legal hours of sale,
on the first Tuesday in February, 1908,
the following property, to-wit:
On lots of land Nos. 1901, 1902 1l68
and 1l68, containing 40 acres each, more
or less, in the 10th District and 2nd Sec.
ton OF Cobb county, Ga Levied on as
the property of D. 7. Miller, to satisfy a
tifa issued from Cobb Superior Court in
favor of James N. Cheney, executor of
A. J. Cheney, deceased, VS.. r. D. Miller,
ct. al. said fila transferred TO and now
controlled by John D. Perkerson, No
tice given in terms of the law
W. j. FREY, Sheriff.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
Administrators Sale.
GEORGIA-Cobb County.

uEOhGlA-Co0D County.
Pursuant to an order of the Court oil
Ordinary of Ebert co, Ga, granted at
the regular January term, 1908, of said
Court, we will sell before the court house
door of said county on the first Tuesday
In February, 1908, during the legal hours
OF sale, the following property, to-wit:
One Groom dwelling house and lot, in
Marietta, Ca, fronting on Atlanta street
l25 feet and running back 1S8 feet to
the Western and Atlantic railroad
Also, one vacant lot, lying broadside
or the above mentioned lot on the north,
facing Atlanta street so feet and running
back 1S6 feet to Western and Atlantic
railroad.
Also, one 3-room house and lot. living
broadside of the above mentioned vacant
lot, fronting on Atlanta street 60 feet
and running back 1S6 feet to Western
and Atlantic railroad.
Also, one Groom house and lot, ad.
joining the lot last above named on the
north, facing Atlanta street 90 feet
and running back 1873 feet to the West
ern ard Atlantic railroad.
This entire property being tho prop
elty formerly owned by DR.. l. j. M.
Goss, late of Cobb county, deceased, and
bounded south by Goss street, east by
Atlanta street, west by Western and At
lantio railroad, and north by property of
the Wilson heirs. Said property will be
sold as the property of Mrs. Lita Goss,
deceased, for the purpose of paying the
debts ofdeceased and distribution among
the heirs. Each lot will be sold sepa-
rately. Terms cash.
G. w. HALEY,
L, G. GLoER,
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
For the Legislature

TO the Voters OF Cobb county:
Through the solicitation Of my neigh
bors and friends, I have decided to
make the race for Representative. l
wish to thank my friends for the splen-
did vote given me in my race two years
ago. l will appreciate your support in
the coming Democratic primary.
T. N. CAMP.
To the Voters of Cobb County: /
hereby announce myself candidate for
one of the representatives of Cobb
county in the Legislature, subject to
the Democratic primary. shall appre-
ciate sincerely the support OF the peo-
pie OF my county, and, If elected, will
strive to serve them promptly and
faithfully. j. NoRTHcurr.
Acworth, Ca, Jan. 9th, 1908
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
The Marietta journal
MARIETTA, GA, JAN. 80. 1908.

We have noticed that the people
who live comfortably in a small
town do not wear the wearied look
of people who claim that city is
the only place TO live
Modern progress has its draw
backs. How is the boy of to-day
going to be proud of his first boots
when boots are no longer sold in
the market places?
February, 1903, will be a re-
markedly busy month. 1t will
contain twenty-nine days, Wash
ington's birthday, Lincoln's birth
day, St. Valentines day, and five
pay-days.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
GEORGIA-CoBB COUNTY,

To all whom it may concern: w. ].
Conaway having in due form applied to
me for permanent letters of administra.
ton, cum testamento annexo de bonis
non, on the estate of Mary D. Minton,
late of said county, deceased, this is to
cite all and singular the creditors and
next of kin of Mary d. hinton to be and
appear at my office on the first Monday
in February next, and show cause, if any
they can, why permanent administration
should not be granted to W, J. Conway
or some fit and proper person on Mary
D. Minton's estate. Witness my official
signature of office, this 4th day of JAN
uary. 1908.
JOHN AwTREY, Ordinary
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
GEoRGIA-Cobb County.

To all whom 1t may concern: w. r.
Camp having in due form applied to me
for permanent letters of administration
on the estate of W. B. Camp, late of said
county deceased, this is to cite all and
singular the creditors and next of kin of
W. B. Camp to be and appear at my
Office on the first Monday in February
next, and show cause, If any they can,
why permanent administration should
not be granted to N, B. Camp or some fit
and proper person on w. B. Camps es-
tate. Witness my official signature of
Office, this 4th day of January, 1908
JOHN AwTREY, Ordinary.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
THE PURE FOOD LAW.

Secretary Wilson says, One of the
objects of the law is to inform the con-
sumner of the presence of certain harm
full drugs in medicines" The law re-
quires that the amount of chloroform
opium, morphine, and other habit
forming drugs, be stated on the label of
each bottle. The manufacturers Of
Chamberlain Cough Remedy have al
ways claimed that their remedy did not
contain any of these drugs, and the
truth of this claim is now fully proven
as no mention of them is made on the
label, This remedy is not only one OF
the safest, but one of the best in use
for coughs and colds. Its value has
been proven beyond question during the
many years it has been in general use.
For sale py G. M Crosby & 90, Mari
eta, Ga.
The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1908-01-30
GEORGIA-Cobb Countv.

To all whom it may concern: John P.
Cheney, administrator of the estate of
j. e, Mcnamara, late of said county,
deceased, has in due form applied to the
Undersigned for leave to sell the lands
belonging to said estate, and the appli-
cation will be heard at my Office on the
first Monday in February next 1908.
This January 9TH, 1905
JOHN AwTREY. Ordinary.