The Springfield herald., 1909-03-26
CONFESSES AND
HANGS HIMSELF
C. L. MAYHEM, HELD FOR MUIR
DER, COMMITS SUICIDE IN
BOULDER JAIL.
CRIME WAS BRUTAL ONE
WIFE OF SUICIDE WAS INDICTED
BUT is OUT ON
BAIL.

Denver-A Republican special from
Boulder Sunday night says: Some
time between the hours of 10 and /
o'clock today. C. l.. Mayhem, held for
the murder of William Collier. hanged
himself in the corridor of the county
jail and when found by Undersheriff
Miller at 1870 p. M, when he brought
in the prisoners dinner, life had been
extinct for some time.
1t developed today that Mayhem
made full confession of the crime
about ten days ago to two fellow pris-
oners and this is now in the hands of
the police.
On March Bird complaint was made
before Justice Ford by Elizabeth
Clark, Mr. Golfers sister. charging
Mayhem, together with his wife. of the
murder of William Collier near Long
mont on January 10th. Under this
complaint they were arrested and ar
raigned March 9th when they entered
a complaint of not guilty.
The preliminary hearing was set for
March 18th, but on that date by con
sent of counsel the hearing was CON
tinued until March oath, Mrs. Mayhem
being released on bail of $1,000 fur
nished by her father. William Jeffries
of Berthoud.
The murder was committed, it is be-
lieved, on January 10th, but was not
discovered until January 10th by
neighbors who. failing to see Collier
about the premises. on investigation
discovered the body.
A reward of $500 was offered by
Governor Shafroth and $500 by the
commissioners of this county.
Sheriff Sapp became convinced that
Mayhem was the murderer and
searched the accused's residence in
Longmont and found pair of shoes
belonging to Mayhem which, when eX'
amined. were found to smell very
strongly of coal oil. The same day
the house was searched the accused
told neighbor that the officers found
blood on his shoes.
Sheriff Capp also secured evidence
to the effect that Collier and Mayhem
were seen talking in Longmont on
Saturday. January 10th, and Mayhem
tonight and we will settle right"
There was further testimony that he
was met on the road north of Long
mont going to the Collier residence.
On February 2Sth. Mayhem and his
wife were arrested and taken to Den
yer and a few days later brought to
Boulder. After being placed in jail
here he was confined with other pris
oners.
Mayhem told the following story to
Joe Carson. fellow prisoner. who was
in jail on a charge Of embezzlement:
II came home Unexpectedly one day
and found Collier in bed with my wife
and resolved to kill him. / went to
the Collier place late on Saturday af-
ternoon on January 18th. l brought
the club in from the granary where
knew it had been kept. | made Mr..
Collier make out a note for $500, dated
August 20. 1908. and due in one year
and sign the same.
II told him then that he would have
to leave the country. He got up and
said he would see who left the coun-
try and started toward the door. which
was open out from the kitchen to the
screen porch.
II struck him over the head with
the club He fell forward and after
he was down l struck him the other
blow That finished him. l then hung
up some bedclothing which was on the
cot in the kitchen across the window.
Il took the oil can and poured oil all
over his body and over the kitchen
floor. l went into the room off the
kitchen where there were several
boxes and furniture piled and into the
front room and also poured oil there
didn't pour any of the oil in the lit
tie corner room.
Il then set it on fire and closed the
door. | got $50 in currency and 81 i'll
money from his pocket and where |
made fool OF myself was that l
pulled the pocket out and didn't shove
it back in again. He still had the pen
ell in his hand with which he made
out the note.
My wife don't know anything about
il and have never told her. She may
suspect something but she doesnt t
know anything about what | did