Collins, W. H. “Billy” 1865 – 1899

COLLINS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/30/2020 at 08:25:52

Source: Decorah Republican July 6, 1899 P 4 C 2

BILLY COLLINS KILLED.
Jumps from a Rig drawn by a Runaway Horse and his neck is Broken.
The numerous friends in Decorah of W. H. Collins (better known as Billy Collins) were shocked to learn on Monday of his death in a runaway accident last Saturday in Chicago. We copy the details as given by the Inter Ocean — W. H. Collins, one of the best known young business men of Chicago, and a popular resident of the North Side, was almost instantly killed yesterday afternoon while driving a horse on the Lake Shore drive. The horse was frightened by the explosion of a firecracker, which a boy threw at him as he was driving north at Walton place, and Collins, believing there was no chance of stopping the frenzied animal, leaped to the ground. He struck upon his head, and died a few minutes later. The body was taken to Rolston’s morgue, and friends notified the wife of Collins at her home in Lincoln Park place.
Collins was employed as a traveling salesman by Hood, Falkroyd & Co., a branch of the firm of John Wanamaker. He had lived in Chicago from boyhood. About two weeks ago he bought a cob horse in Iowa, which he intended to drive himself. The animal proved to be unused to the city ways, however, and Collins left him with the livery firm of P K Ryan & Co., on the North Side, with instructions to drive him until he became easily handled. He concluded to try the animal himself yesterday, and went out in a road wagon with the foreman of the barn where the horse was kept. The two drove down as far as Rush street bridge, the foreman holding the lines, and the horse was apparently well broken.
After reaching Rush street bridge, Mr. Collins concluded that the animal was all right, and decided to return to his house, leaving the foreman at the barn, When they had reached Walton place there was a number of boys firing firecrackers, which caused the horse to rear somewhat. He would probably have passed all right, however, had not one of the boys suddenly thrown one of the explosives just in front of the animal. The horse seemed to take the bit in his teeth and bolt up the avenue. While the driver was guiding him, Mr. Collins apparently lost his head and suddenly seized the left rein, intending to get the horse into the middle of the drive. The rein broke off close to the bit, and the two men were at the mercy of the horse. Collins, seeing that there was no chance to stop him, made his fatal leap. Bystanders picked him up, but he lived less than five minutes after being placed in the ambulance, which was summoned. A doctor was called, but it was found that his services were not needed. Collins’ neck was broken and his skull was fractured.
The foreman who was with Collins was thrown from the wagon and badly injured. He lost one eye and was taken to a North Side hospital.
Collins was married about a year ago to a young lady from Philadelphia. He was an ex-member of the La Salle club and was quite well known in society.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born in 1865 and died July 1, 1899. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Chicago, IL.