Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1899 — A Murder In White County. [ARTICLE]

A Murder In White County.

Hiram Collins, a partially insane farmer residing west of Chalmers, shot and killed Joseph Ward of Monticello, Tuesday afternoon. Collins formerly owned the farm upon which he resided, but lost it through mortgage foreclosure, which seems to have been the source of all his troubles. Waid, who was the present owner of the farm, went there Tuesday to make a division of the crops, which was accomplished without friction, but suddenly Collins pulled a revolver and fired five shots at him, some of which took effect. The wounded man lived until about noon Thursday, when he died. Collins has given considerable trouble to neighbors and officers during the past few years, and it has been prophesed that he would yet commit murder unless confined. He was arrested and is now in jail at Monticello.