Hon. Thomas Loraine Collins, Judge of the 42nd Judicial 
District, died at his residence on North High Street in 
Salem at noon Saturday, June 7th, 1890, after a protracted 
illness.  He was confined to his room some three months 
ago with an attack of la grippe, from this followed a 
complication of diseases terminating in Bright's disease.  
For a time his disease affected his mental faculties and he 
was sent to an asylum for treatment, returning in about three
weeks mentally healed, but with no improvement physically.   
He was able to be about the house and took a drive out to 
his farm several times lately, the last on Thursday evening 
before his death.  Saturday morning he sat on the veranda 
in front of his house and read the papers, later while sitting
in the room he complained of weakness and desiring to lay 
down crossed the room to his bed, and while his devoted wife 
sat on the bed beside him she noticed a slight twitching of the 
fingers and taking hold of his hand realized that slight
convulsion was coming on.  Before any assistance could be 
called except two or three neighbor ladies who were present, 
the heart ceased to beat and the brief struggle was over.  
While it was recognized that his death was but a matter of time, 
it came much more sudden that was expected.

Judge Collins was born in New Albany, Ind., June 24th, 1833, 
and was therefore in his 57th year.  He was one of a family 
of seven children, all of whom are now dead except a brother, 
James Collins, of Paoli.  He was well educated and close 
student of his chosen profession.  He studied law with his father, 
James Collins, and was admitted to the Floyd county bar at
the age of 19.  He was married to Miss Maria Sinex in New Albany,
December 18, 1856.  He had lived at Bono, Paoli and Pekin before
removing to Salem in April, 1869, where he engaged in partnership 
with Hon. J. H. Butler.  Afterward his brother succeeded Mr. Butler 
and the firm continued to practice in the courts until April, 1877, at 
which time he received his appointment as Judge of the court.  He 
was three times re-elected, the last term for which he was elected in 
1888 would have begun in October, 1890, and expired October 1896.

He was a self-made man.  As a lawyer his ability was recognized by all.
As a judge of character and examiner of witnesses he had few equals.  
On the bench he commanded the respect of the bar.  His decisions were
conscientiously made and seldom reversed by the higher court.

Lawyers and litigants always received the benefit of his best judgment,
unbiased by any influences other than those justified by close and 
diligent search of the law.  His judicial ermine was spotless.

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