The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-24
John Collins, From a Photograph
Taken While i'm Prison a Year Ago.

Collins arrived last night over the
Kansas City. having left Lansing at IL
O'Clock in the morning and reaching
Kansas City during the noon hour. He
left Kansas City for Topeka at O'Clock
in the afternoon.
There was a large crowd at the Union
Pacific depot when Collins arrived. but
there were but one or two in the whole
crowd who knew that the famous ex-
convict was on the train. Collins was
accompanied from Lansing by his step
brother, Grant Meade. Neither his
sister. Miss Grace Collins, who has been
the hardest worker in his behalf during
the time he was confined in prison. nor
his stepmother were at the train TO
meet him, as they did not know when
he would reach Topeka.
John Collins was the first passenger
on the train to alight and was off al
most before the train had come to a
full stop Meade followed him. A state
Journal reporter alone recognized Col
Inns but he refused to be interviewed in
his haste to reach his home. Collins
carried the same suit case which he
took to Lansing with him ten years
ago. also a large French horn which he
used when he played In the prison
band. The picture of his father was
tenderly packed in his suit case
Collins and his stepbrother made
their way to a cab which was in walt
ing for them and n fast drive soon
brought them to the residence OF the
family at 1011 West Eighth avenue,
where the family was reunited for the
first time since the famous trial
Visits Governor Hoch.
Arriving at the Collins home. John
tenderIy embraced his sister and step
mother and after a few exchanges OF
greetings. the three sat down to tea.
the first meal the trio has eaten to-
gether in ten years When the meal
was finished. John said to his sister
Grace:
Well Grace. what is the programme
for this evening? Stay at home and
hav ca good visit?''
That's part of it," replied his sister.
''but there is something else on the
bill"
what is it?' John inquired.
well. we will step up the street to
the governors mansion and thank Gov
ernor Hoch for his grand good act
"Yes we viii spare you long enough
for that. but no longer" interspersed
Mrs. Collins.
So John and Grace threw on their
wraps and the two went to the execu-
tive mansion which is only a couple OF
blocks from the Collins residence. They
spent only a few minutes at the home
of the governor
John shook hands with the governor
and told him how thankful he was and
how grateful he felt. And I hope I
shall so conduct myself that you shall
never regret your action in my case,
said John.
HOch Gives Advice.
You have great future before
you," said Governor Hoch. "and feel
sure that you will make the most OF
your opportunity. Stay closely by your
mother and sister and you viii be all
right You have no idea how diligently
they have worked for your freedom
am glad to have given you your liberty
and I have always thought that you
were unjustly punished. Now I want
to see you become a useful man."
Collins would say but little regard
ing his future. "In fact have no
future plans" said John last night.
II want time to think things over. II
is like a new world to me- II took
me a whole week to realize that I was
in the penitentiary when I went to
Lansing and I expect it will take me
that long to get accustomed to free
DOM 1 am mighty glad to get home
with loved ones. I appreciate all that
has been done for me by my kind
friends and I am especially grateful
to Governor Hoch-"