Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1899 — Hirman Collins Kills a Man. [ARTICLE]

Hirman Collins Kills a Man.

Shoots Joseph Ward to Death With* out Appareat Provocation—The Injured Man Died at 11.80 this , Morning. Wednesday’s Monticello Journal: Hirman Collins yesterday afternoon oonsnmated the crime of taking of a human life daring a fit of insanity. The tragedy occurred about 8 o’clock at Collin’s farm west of Chalmer’s. Oat threehiAg was in progress at the farm yesterday and Ward went down from his home in Reynolds to look after his share of the grain.

Collins greeted Mr. Ward cordially on his arrival and the division of the crop was adjusted without any friction. Ward turned from the separator and Collins ran in front of him and fired five shots at him. The second shot took effect, striking Ward in the stomach on the right side near the floating ribs. It took a diagonal course and lodged near the surface of the left side of his back. After Collins emptied his revolver, Ward opened fife on his assailant and fired two shots at him. Neither of them took effect, but Collins retreated hurriedly. He came back however and told Ward and his nephew that unless they left the farm he would kill them both. The injured man nv alked about half a mile after he was shot and last night it was thought that he had some chance of recovery. His age, 72 years, was against him.

. j.v - 4 :' Collins arrived in Chalmers about six o’clock this morning and wanted to give himself up to Justice Price. This offical refused to take charge of him and told him to come on to Monticello* to surrender to the sheriff. Instead of doing this Hiram started for home through the cornfields and the officers missed him about fifteen minutes. They followed him by road and overhauled him near his home. He offered no resistance and is now in jail. When questioned about the affair be was very cautious in his replies and talked as little as possible. The affidavit and information will probably be filed against him this afternoon. '