To gather together; to bring scattered things (assets, accounts, articles of property) into one mass or fund. To collect a debt or claim is to obtain payment or liquidation of it, either by personal solicitation or legal proceedings. White v. Case, 13 Wend. (N. Y.) 544; Ryan v. Tudor, 31 Kan. 306, 2 Pac. 797; Purdy v. Independence, 75 Iowa, 35G, 39 N. W. 641; Mclnerny v. Reed, 23 Iowa, 414; Taylor v. Kearney County, 35 Neb. 381, 53 N. W. 211.