Evening star., 1909-03-07
MAKES NO OTHER COMMENT
Goes to Jail Quietly, Following the
Coroner's Inquest.
INQUIRIES FOR HIS FATHER
Funeral Of Victim of the Tragedy to
Be Held Tomorrow-Omcia
Announcement.

claimed as he was being taken to jail
yesterday afternoon to await action by
the grand jury in connection with the
charge Of killing Capt William II. Math
ews. in command Of the fifth police pre-
cinct.
Policemen with whom Collier had per-
formed duty on the force for several
years had him in charge on the trip from
the morgue to the Jail During the first
part Of the ride Collier said little, but
later he saw some of the officers with
whom he had been friendly and they
waved to him as he passed.
Tears came to the eyes Of the prisoner
when he recognized his friends. and then
he expressed to those with him regret
that the homicide had occurred. Outside
OF the expressions Of sorrow. however.
Collier made little comment on the af-
fair, and gave no reason for shooting
his superior officer.
Assigned to a Cell.
When Collier arrived at the Jail he
was assigned to cell No. Z Oh the first
floor. and he walked quietly to it. The
Jail authorities were considerate Of the
prisoner and made him as comfortable
as possible.
Before being committed to his cell
Collier asked If his father had been no.
titled of the situation. He seemed to be
see him at once, and inquired If his
mother and sister had told his father Of
his plight.
Attorney John Lewis Smith of counsel
for Collier said last night that no state
ment regarding Golfers side of the mat
ter will be made at present, adding that
further steps In the case awaited the
arrival of Golfers father.
Word VACa{vp6 from i2il that COL
lier had maintained a stolid demeanor
since he was admitted there. He re-
mained entirely uncommunicative up to
the time he sought his cot-about 9:15
o'clock-and replied to interrogatories in
monosyllables. Soon after he lay down
he was in a deep slumber.
Mrs. Collier, the mother Of Policeman
Collier. said last night that II her hus-
band, who Is said to reside In Atlantic
City, and who was reported to be on the
way to Washington, is coming to this
city she knew nothing about it.
Mrs. Collier adhered rigidly to the pol
icy she has been pursuing since Friday
night. and refused to discuss the shoot
ing In any way.
Arrangements for Funeral.
Arrangements have been completed for
the funeral Of Capt. Mathews to take
place tomorrow morning from his late
residence, 81 5th street southeast. Brief
services at the house will be followed by
high mass In ST. Peters Church. I'd and
| C streets southeast. Members of keane
Council. knights Of Columbus. Of which
organization Capt. Mathews was men,
| ber, will attend the funeral.
| Maj. Sylvester, who regarded Capt. Ma.
thews as one OF the ablest members of
his department issued general order last
evening officially announcing the death.
| It sets forth:
while yet recovering from the protract-
| ed and arduous labOrs incident to the
maintenance Of peace and order during
the inaugural period the department has
experienced q disappointment at once
violence of Capt. William H. Mathews.
| which occurred Friday, March ., 1909, at
the hour of 7:45 o'clock in the evening. at
the NTH police precinct station house.
Capt. Mathews became member OF
the metropolitan police force of the dis
trict of Columbia. June 15. 1856. and by
force Of industry and attention to duty
won for himself the confidence Of his
| superiors and the respect OF the citizens
in the territory where he was assigned
| Capt. Mathews was promoted to be a
| private of class September u, 1880
| made mounted sergeant. August IL, 1898
| and advanced to lieutenant November l.
| 19U2. and on July /. 1905. received the
| organizing. in measure, the police
| force.
Thorough Police Officer.
| HE was a thorough police officer, hon
est, alert and intelligent, and he gave
his full time and attention to the welfare
! Of the department, observing details and
| successfully following its progressive
policy in all matters relating to the en-
forcement Of the laws and regulations
| and the requirements of the manual
"C0Af Mathews aneCflOnate
| husband and father, firm but kind to
| the unfortunate. and his sudden death
| will be largely mourned.
"Out Of sympathy for those nearest
| and dearest to him in life and in respect
| for his memory a detail Of an inspector,
| in command, and representatives of the
several grades in the force will be de-
| tailed to attend the funeral. which will
9Th street southeast, Monday. March 8.
| 1909, at 8 am, thence to st. Peter S
Church. Interment in Mount Olivet
| cemetery"
May Suffer From Paranoia.
After Collier had been committed to
jail yesterday afternoon, the police con-
tinued their investigation of the tragedy.
During one of his conversations with diff
ferent policemen, IL is stated. Collier ad-
mitted he recoliected having fired only
one shot. A physician who was at the
| INQUEST yesterday and heard the testi-
mony gave it as his opinion that Collier
is suffering from paranoia, and the police
feel confident that a plea OF insanity Will
be made when the case reaches the Grim
inal court. Collier Is to be defended by
| Attorneys William f. Ambrose. John
Lewis Smith and James B. Archer.
| Maj. Sylvester fully appreciates the sit
uation In which Capt. Mathews was
placed Friday night when he was con.
frented by Policeman Collier, having had
trouble with three alleged dangerous men
while serving as chief Of police.
'I was seated in my Office one morn
ing" Mai. Sylvester explained to a Star
reporter last night, when a tall, stylish
lly dressed man entered, and said he
wanted me TO give him a permit to preach
on the street. At that time such per
mits were not numerous. and l was
about to tell the caller he could not get