xt715d8ncm6m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt715d8ncm6m/data/mets.xml Hawkins, Edward W., 1836-1857. 1907  books b92f456h3940a319072009 English Sun-Sentinel : Winchester, Ky. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Hawkins, Edward W., 1836-1857. Crime --Kentucky --Estill County. Criminals --Kentucky --Estill County. The confession of Edward W. Hawkins : a detail of crimes unparalled in history for one of his age ; executed before he was 21 years of age ; address made on the gallows. text The confession of Edward W. Hawkins : a detail of crimes unparalled in history for one of his age ; executed before he was 21 years of age ; address made on the gallows. 1907 2009 true xt715d8ncm6m section xt715d8ncm6m 
  
  
  
  
T HE C ONFESSION O F EDWARD HAWKINS

G IVING M I N U T E DETAILS
O F T HE COMMISSION OF FOUR DISTINCT M U R D E R S ; ALSO, T H E COURTSHIP A N D M A R R I A G E TO SIX DIFFERENT F E M A L E S E X E C U T E D B EFORE HE W A S T W E N T Y - O N E

  
  
T H E C ONFESSION
OF

E D W A R D W. H A W K I N S
A D E T A I L OF

C RIMES U N P A R A L L E L E D IN H I S T O R Y

F O R O N E O F HIS A G E     E X E C U T E D B E F O R E H E WAS 21 Y E A R S O F A G E .

ADDRESS M A D E O N T H E GALLOWS.

PRICE, FIFTY CENTS. O n S ale a t S u n - S e n t i n e l O ffice, W inchester, K y .

  
I 'KEFACK,

It

is n o w

fifty

y ears s ince t h e l i f e of E d w a r d W . H a w H e was t h e n l ess t h a n t w e n t y - o n e remember him. Thos. Webber confes-

k i n s e nded on the g a l l o w s . y ears o f age. Some of our older citizens

H i s career as a c r i m i n a l is u n p a r e l l e l e d i n h i s t o r y .

w ent to s c h o o l w i t h h i m ; E l d e r - M . P . L o w e r y was at t h e h a n g i n g ; J . L . W h i t t i n g t o n , of t h i s c i t y , is m e n t i o n e d i n the sion. a n d a h orse. L a r g e r e w a r d s w e r e o ffered for h i s c a p t u r e . fund, a n d i t was a w a r d e d Robert Riddell, the p resent j u d g e of the T w e n t y - t h i r d d i s t r i c t , was c u s t o d i a n of county. T h e s entence o f d e a t h was t h e confession. T h e confession was p r i n t e d a s h o r t t i m e after t h e e x e c u t i o n , b u t o n l y a few copies w e n t i n t o c i r c u l a t i o n . I t was s a i d t h a t the I give it PERRY. r e l a t i v e s of H a w k i n s d i d a l l t h e y c o u l d to suppress i t . a n d w o m e n to a v o i d t h a t w h i c h is e v i l . W i n c h e s t e r , K y . , M a y , 1907. R. R. for the m u r d e r of J a m e s M. in L a n d a n d Jesse A r v i u e , of w h i c h a d e t a i l e d a c c o u n t is g i v e n I t was f r o m M r . W h i t t i n g t o n that H a w k i n s stole a m u l e

to J o e l S t o r m s , t h e n j a i l o r of C l a r k

c u r r e n c y w i t h the h o p e t h a t i t w i l l b e a w a r n i n g to y o u n g m e n

  
T H E HAWKINS

GALLOWS.

T h e above is a correct picture after a period of fifty years. T h e arm from which Hawkins was suspended is broken off. Judgment was rendered at Irvine, Estill county, K y . T h e gallows is in the country, east of the town. T h e execution took place M a y 29, 1857. Hawkins rode on his coffin in a wagon. W hen the order was given to drive from under, he jumped and broke his neck.

  
  
T H E C ONFESSION
I w as b o r n i n E s t i l l c o u n t y o n t h e n t h d a y of J u l y , 1 836. I c o m m e n c e d a l i f e of recklessness at about the age of t e n years. M y m o t h e r was a p i o u s m e m b e r of t h e B a p t i s t c h u r c h , a n d a l w a y s g ave m e the b est o f c o u n s e l ; b u t , alas, I h eeded n o n e of h e r a d m o n i t i o n s , b u t g a v e u p to m y w a y w a r d course of disobedience a n d c r i m e , u n t i l I h a v e t h u s been o v e r t a k e n b y the r e t r i b u t i v e j u s t i c e of an o u t r a g e d a n d v i o l a t e d l a w ; a n d n o w , here I w i s h to a d m o n i s h m y y o u n g readers to beware of s m a l l c r i m e s     t h e y h a r d e n y o u , a n d p r e p a r e y o u for the c o m m i s s i o n of l a r g e r o nes; y e a , c r i m e s w i t h o u t a p a r a l l e l , as is v e r i f i e d i n m y present u n f o r t u n a t e a n d hopeless c ase. O h , y o u n g reader, suffer m e to e x h o r t y o u to r e a d t h e f o l l o w i n g p ages w i t h care a n d a t t e n t i o n ; t h e y m a y serve y o u as a beacon b y w h i c h y o u m a y e scape t he w r e t c h e d c o n d i t i o n w h i c h I am n o w i n     i n c a r c e r a t e d i n t h e w a l l s of a d u n g e o n , loaded w i t h c h a i n s a n d fetters, w i t h the g r i m i mages of m y m u r d e r e d f e l l o w - m e n h a u n t i n g me d a y a n d n i g h t ; a n d s o o n , o h ! v e r y soon, to be t a k e n to the g a l l o w s , a n d t here, i n the s p r i n g season of m y l i f e , to be h u r l e d i n t o the presence o f a n offended G o d , w h o c a n n o t l o o k u p o n s i n w i t h t h e least allowance. W i t h t h i s s h o r t preface, I w i l l p roceed to g i v e y o u a h i s t o r y o f m y l i f e , w h i c h is more h e a v i l y l a d e n w i t h c r i m e t h a n was ever c o m m i t t e d b y one so y o u n g . I a m a son of J o h n W . H a w k i n s . I was b o r n on W o o d w a r d C r e e k , i n E s t i l l c o u n t y , K y . , on the n t h d a y of J u l y , 1 836, a n d a m c o n s e q u e n t l y i n m y t w e n t y - f i r s t year. M y m o t h e r is a d a u g h t e r of W111. B a r n e s . W h e n I was a s m a l l b o y m y f a t h e r s ent me to s c h o o l o c c a s i o n a l l y , a n d b e i n g an apt s c h o l a r , I l e a r n e d t o r e a d , w r i t e a n d c i p h e r ; a n d after I l eft h o m e I w e n t to s c h o o l some, a n d a c q u i r e d m o r e p r o f i c i e n c y i n a c o m m o n E n g lish education. T h e first a cts o f m y l i f e , w h i c h I n o w c a n r e m e m b e r , w e r e m i s c h i e v o u s a n d e v i l disposed. M y great e v i l trait i n infancy w as a r e c k l e s s disobedience of m y p a r e n t s ; w h e n t h e y t o l d me to

  
4

T H E CONFESSION OF

do a n y t h i n g I disobeyed t h e m , a n d n e v e r t o l d t h e m the a n d , a s t h e y k n e w m y c h a r a c t e r i n t h i s respect,

truth;

t h e y g ave m e before her dear

l i t t l e o r no c r e d i t w h e n I m i g h t h a p p e n to t e l l t h e m the t r u t h . M y m o t h e r was a p i o u s m e m b e r of the B a p t i s t C h u r c h , as s tated, a n d w o u l d f r e q u e n t l y a d m o n i s h me, w i t h tears i n boy. O h , m y y o u n g reader, h a d I o n l y g a v e h eed to t h a t

e yes, t o m e n d m y w a y s , a n d a l w a y s t e l l t he t r u t h , a n d be a good m o t h e r ' s a d m o n i t i o n s I m i g h t n o w be as free as y o u are, i n p l a c e o f t h e d r e a r y w a l l s of t h i s l o a t h s o m e d u n g e o n . I w o u l d c a l l m y l i t t l e b r o t h e r s a n d sisters i l l names, a n d p r o v o k e t h e m to s t r i k e me, a n d w o u l d t e l l m y f a t h e r t h a t t h e y c o m m e n c e d i t , a n d p u t t h e b l a m e o n t h e m , false as i t was. t h e house of one of m y u n c l e s a n d s t e a l i n g some p r o p e r t y of one of m y c o u s i n s . m ade me c a r r y t h e m b a c k a n d confess t h e theft. s oon was t h i s g o o d r e s o l u t i o n f o r g o t t e n . t hese l i t t l e p e t t y thefts fishhooks, The the f irst c r i m e I ever c o m m i t t e d , i n t h e w a y of theft, was g o i n g to M y m o t h e r f o u n d i t out, a n d I then thought

I w o u l d n e v e r do a n y t h i n g of t h e k i n d a g a i n ; b u t , alas, h o w T h e n e x t t h i n g I stole A t that time enormous crimes, w as a p e n k n i f e f r o m a son of M r . B e n j a m i n P o o r . seemed to me to be w h i l e t he m i n d w as t e n d e r . T n e x t l e a r n e d to p l a y c a r d s     w a s taught by M r . s****** From B * * * * * * * , a n d i n o r d e r to c a r r y o n t h e g a m e w o u l d c u t t h e buttons f r o m m y l i t t l e b r o t h e r ' s c l o t h e s to bet o n t h e game. this I engaged i n watermelon stealing, and from the indulgence i n t hese s e e m i n g l y s m a l l offences, t h e p r o p e n s i t y soon made me an accomplished thief. H e r e , a g a i n , let me c a l l t h e a t t e n t i o n of tuition. m y y o u n g readers to the a l l - i m p o r t a n t s u b j e c t of e a r l y

R e c k l e s s as I h a v e b e e n , y o u n g as I a m i n y e a r s , b u t o l d i n c r i m e , m y h e a r t ' s desire, as a d y i n g m a n i s , t h a t t hese l i n e s m a y b e a w a r n i n g to t h e y o u t h of the c o u n t r y , a u d s h o u l d t h e y be t h e means of r e c l a i m i n g one s o l i t a r y w a y w a r d y o u t h f r o m t h e p a t h o f s i n , i t w i l l b e c o n s i d e r e d a m p l e c o m p e n s a t i o n for m y e x e r t i o n s i n t h i s g l o o m y place. M y y o u n g f r i e n d s , suffer me to e x h o r t y o u to be obedient to y o u r parents, p a r t i c u l a r l y to y o u r m o t h e r w h o ence, a n d w h o w a t c h e s destiny. over your gave y o u and existand my future i n f a n t i l e helplessness, look upon

w hose s o u l is i n t e n s e l y w r a p p e d u p i n y o u r present M y y o u n g reader, j u s t for a m o m e n t

p e p l o r a b l e c o n d i t i o n , t h e n l o o k b a c k at t h e a g o n y of a b e r e a v e d

  
E D W A R D W.

HAWKINS.

5

m o t h e r , w h o has g i v e n y o u e x i s t e n c e , a n d w h o has, a l l h e r l i f e , g i v e n y o u the b est o f c o u n s e l , a n d w h o d oes n ot p a r t i c i p a t e i n y o u r g u i l t , be i t w h a t i t m a y , w o u l d y o u t h e n be w i l l i n g t o b r i n g h e r g r a y h a i r s w i t h s o r r o w to the g r a v e ? Y o u w i l l s ay n o , as a m a t t e r of course. T h e n suffer me to c a u t i o n y o u as to t h e c o m p a n y y o u keep. S h u n t h e g a m b l e r , t h e t i p p l e r , t h e profane s wearer, a n d the i d l e a n d d i s s o l u t e of e v e r y d e s c r i p t i o n . I w i l l n o w proceed w i t h m y n a r r a t i v e . I had indulged in t hese p etty thefts for t w o years, s t e a l i n g first one t h i n g a n d t h e n a n o t h e r , b u t d u r i n g t hese c o n t i n u e d a cts o f t h i e v i n g I b ecame r estless, a n d w a n t e d a w i d e r field of o p e r a t i o n , a n d to find s ome o ne of m y o w n d i s p o s i t i o n a n d c h a r a c t e r . I a c c o r d i n g l y , i n the l a t t e r p a r t of t h e y e a r 1849, w e n t to L e x i n g t o n , K y . , w h e r e I b ecame a c q u a i n t e d w i t h W * . R * * * , w h o resides i n s a i d c i t y . We s oon b ecame v e r y i n t i m a t e , a n d he l e a r n e d me the a r t of f r a u d u l e n t c a r d - p l a y i n g , a n d b y w h i c h means I b e g a n to s w i n d l e a n d c heat. W e f o l l o w e d the g a m e o f c a r d - p l a y i n g c a l l e d " g r a b ; " i f w e c o u l d not w i n b y a f a i r g a m e , w e w o u l d raise a n affray, a n d o ne of o u r c l a n w o u l d get the m o n e y a n d l eave t he r o o m . This, m y y o u n g readers, is t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e g a m e o f c a r d - p l a y i n g , t herefore, s h u n i t as a poisonous v i p e r c a l c u l a t e d t o sap t h e m a i n s p r i n g of y o u r m o r a l i n t e l l e c t . T h e n e x t c r i m e w h i c h I c o m m i t t e d was t h e s t e a l i n g of a g o l d w a t c h f r o m W m . O w e n , w h o l i v e d at t h e O w e n H o t e l , i n L o u i s ville. F i n d i n g m y s e l f so successful i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h m y partner a n d a c c o m p l i c e ( R * * * ) , I c o n c l u d e d there was n o d a n g e r i n doing a n y t h i n g w h i c h our wickedness might p r o m p t us. A b o u t that time, while i n L o u i s v i l l e , a m a n named T * * * . O * * * * * , came t o me a n d t o l d me t h a t h e w a n t e d m e to go w i t h h i m , a s there was a s p e c u l a t i o n o n h a n d . I i n q u i r e d of h i m w h a t i t was, a n d he i n f o r m e d me t h a t he h a d seen a m a n at t h e G a i t H o u s e w i t h $ 7 0 0 , a n d t h a t w e c o u l d get it b y b r e a k i n g open his room and going into his trunk. I refused to j o i n h i m i n h i s speculation. H e c o m m i t t e d t h e c r i m e h i m s e l f a n d was a r r e s t e d a n d s entenced to the p e n i t e n t i a r y for e i g h t years. T h e r e s u l t of t h i s s p e c u l a t i o n , as O * * * * * c a l l e d i t , was a w a r n i n g to m e , a n d h a d a t e n d e n c y to r e s t r a i n m e f o r t h e present. I therefore ret u r n e d h o m e , a n d left m y o l d p a r t n e r s , O and R , w i t h a d e t e r m i n a t i o n to r e f o r m a n d go to w o r k for a s u p p o r t , a l t h o u g h I d i d not l i k e w o r k ; nevertheless I s t u c k p r e t t y close

  
6

THE

CONFESSION

OF

t o i t about t w o o r three m o n t h s . I got t i r e d o f w o r k a n d r e s o l v ed t o t r y m y h a n d a g a i n at m y o l d g a m e o f d i s s i p a t i o n a n d theft. N o w , m y y o u n g readers, suffer me a g a i n to say to y o u i dleness i s the p a r e n t of v i c e . M y n e x t theft was s t e a l i n g a p a i r of b oots f r o m J o h n R u c k e r , i n C l a r k c o u n t y , n e a r t h e m o u t h of W o o d w a r d c reek. I was detected, a n d m y father a n d m o t h e r t r i e d t o get me to t a k e t h e m b a c k , b u t I w o u l d not. I left w i t h a m a n f r o m M a d i s o n c o u n t y , b y the n a m e of J a m e s T u r n e r , h o g driver. I w as g one n i n e t e e n d a y s , a n d spent a l l m y w ages i n d r i n k i n g - s a l o o n s , a n d had n o t h i n g to s h o w for m y t r i p . I d isl i k e d t o go home w i t h o u t a n y f u n d s , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y I forged a n ote o n m y e m p l o y e r for one h u n d r e d d o l l a r s , a n d one for t e n dollars. I s o l d the l a r g e one to H . W i l s o n f or n i n e t y - o n e d o l lars a n d t h e s m a l l one I s o l d to A n d r e w J . W e l l s for its f u l l amount. T h a t was the f a l l o f 1852. I then t h o u g h t I was v e r y s uccessful, a n d t h a t t h i s was t h e w a y to m a k e m o n e y . I then f orged a note o n G . D . B l a n t o u , for t h e s m a l l s u m of t h i r t e e n d o l l a r s , a n d sold it t h e same n i g h t to G e o r g e C o o p e r , of E s t i l l c o u n t y , K y . , for seven d o l l a r s . I was r a t h e r a f r a i d of e x c i t i n g s u s p i c i o n b y s e l l i n g it so l o w , b u t I t o l d h i m I was i n debt a n d w as c o m p e l l e d to s e l l it i n o r d e r to s ave m y w o r d . I t h e n w e n t f r o m t h e r e to L o u i s v i l l e , K y . , a n d soon f o r m e d the acquaintance w i t h T L , w h o s e most p r o m i n e n t o c c u p a t i o n w as t h a t of a p i c k p o c k e t . H e u n d e r t o o k to l e a r n m e t he art. T h e first t h i n g I t o o k u n d e r m y n e w o c c u p a t i o n was a p o c k e t - h a n d k e r c h i e f , w h i c h was e a s i l y a c c o m p l i s h e d . T h e n e x t t h i n g I t ook was a p o c k e t - b o o k , c o n t a i n i n g seven d o l l a r s a n d t w e n t y cents. T h e o w n e r arrested me o n s u s p i c i o n , a n d h a d me s e a r c h e d , b u t I h a d h i d the b o o k a n d m o n e y , a n d i t was not f o u n d , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y I was a c q u i t t e d . I was s o m e w h a t fearf u l t o c o m m e n c e a g a i n for a w h i l e , b u t s t i l l r e m a i n e d w i t h m y o l d t eacher, T L , T h e n e x t t h i n g I u n d e r t o o k was to t a k e t h e w a t c h f r o m a m a n ' s p o c k e t , at the N a t i o n a l H o t e l , i n L o u i s v i l l e , b u t i n t h i s I failed. I t h e n left a n d w e n t w i t h m y o l d teacher, T O , t o C i n c i n n a t i , O h i o , w h e r e t h e y arrested h i m for stabb i n g a negro. H e h a d h i s t r i a l a n d was a c q u i t t e d . H e w a n t e d m e to swear h i m clear, b u t I refused. H e b ecame v e r y a n g r y at m e, a n d requested me to q u i t h i s c o m p a n y . I d i d so, a n d ret u r n e d t o L o u i s v i l l e . T h e n I met w i t h m y o l d associate, W

  
EDWARD W.

HAWKINS.

7

R-

.

H e h a d gone to h a n d l i n g c o u n t e r f e i t m o n e y ; he g ave h a d sent

m e i n f o r m a t i o n w h e r e I c o u l d get p l e n t y of i t . I w e n t to t h e m a n a n d t o l d h i m t h a t M r . R

m e to get some m o n e y . H e t o l d m e t h a t I w o u l d have to s wear that I w o u l d be t r u e a n d never t e l l i t . I took t h e o ath a n d received one hundred and t h i r t y dollars, and w as to give h i m h a l f t h e profits i n p a s s i n g t h e m o n e y . I p assed s e v e n t y - e i g h t d o l l a r s of the m o n e y a n d r e c e i v e d f u l l v a l u e for i t , a n d g a v e M r . F . S ( t h e m a n I g ot i t f r o m ) one-half the profits, w h i c h g ave h i m g reat c onfidence i n m e. I t h e n got one h u n d r e d d o l l a r s more. T h e first F p a s s e d off w as detected. T h e y came b a c k w i t h i t a n d I t o l d t h e m t h a t I w as not a j u d g e of m o n e y . I t o o k i t b a c k a n d t h e r e w a s no m ore s a i d about i t . T h e n m y p a r t n e r t o l d m e t h a t I m u s t n o t c a r r y m ore t h a n one b i l l a b o u t me at a t i m e , t h e n i f t h e y s h o u l d s e a r c h me a n d find n o more,~they c o u l d not h u r t me, i f I t o o k i t back. I n e x t passed t w e n t y d o l l a r s , w h i c h was also detected and brought back. I t h e n c o n c l u d e d to q u i t t h a t b u s i n e s s , as i t a ppeared t h a t I w as i n b a d l u c k . T h e n myself and L L l eft a n d came to H a z e l G r e e n , i n M o r g a n c o u n t y , K e n tucky. T h e r e we f o r m e d a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h some fellows w h o c a l l e d t h e m s e l v e s the s weepstakes c o m p a n y . T h e i r business w as to steal a n y t h i n g a n d e v e r y t h i n g t h a t t h e y c o u l d l a y t h e i r hands on. T h e y r e q u e s t e d us to t a k e a h a n d at t h e i r g a m e . T h a t s u i t e d us first-rate. T h e first step we t h e n took was to s t e a l f o u r horses, a n d r u n t h e m off to a w e l l k n o w n s t a n d for t h e r e c e p t i o n of s t o l e n property. T h a t s t a n d was near W e s t L i b e r t y ; w e s o l d t h e h orses a n d got the m o n e y f o r t h e m . W e t h e n r e t u r n e d to H a z e l Green. B y t h i s t i m e I h a d become h a r d e n e d to a n y sort of c r i m e . I t h e n c o n c l u d e d to r e t u r n h o m e , w h i c h I d i d , a n d s t a i d a b o u t t w o w e e k s , b u t I was a f r a i d to r e m a i n l o n g at a t i m e o n a c c o u n t o f t he c h a r g e s a g a i n s t m e f o r f o r g i n g those notes. Then, in 1 854, I forged a note o n N i m r o d W e l l s , for a s m a l l a m o u n t , a n d s old i t to L o u i s W . C a r n e t ; he d i d not find i t o u t for some t i m e , a n d n ot u n t i l a fter I w as gone. S h o r t l y afterward I forged an o rder o n S a m u e l F r a m e to J a m e s R e c k e t s for $16, for w h i c h I r e c e i v e d t h e p a y , a n d left t h e r e a n d w e n t to S t e p h e n K i n g ' s . T h e r e I c o n c l u d e d to w o r k o n t h e r a i l r o a d ; I w o r k e d a b o u t t w o w e e k s a n d t o o k a n o t i o n to q u i t , a n d c a l l e d o n t h e m for m y

  
8

THE

CONFESSION

OF

w ages. T h e y refused to p a y me u n t i l t h e i r p a y d a y ; t h a t d i d n ot s u i t m y a r r a n g e m e n t s a n d I l eft t h e r a i l r o a d , b n t before I l eft, I t ore Up t h e i r t r a c k , t h r e w t h e i r p i c k s a n d s h o v e l s i n t o a c r e e k t h a t was near, b r o k e u p w h e e l - b a r r o w s , a n d d e s t r o y e d t h e i r p o w d e r a n d fuse. I t h e n w e n t to m y b r o t h e r - i n - l a w ' s , G e o . W . C a m p b e l l . I there got to d r i n k i n g a n d c u t t i n g u p a l l k i n d s o f freaks of d i s s i p a t i o n . I t h e n b r o k e i n t o the s t o r e of S a m u e l T h o m p s o n , at P l e a s a n t V a l l e y , i n F l e m i n g c o u n t y , K e n tucky. I got i n t o t h e house b y b o r i n g off the l o : k w i t h a n auger. I took as m a n y of t h e g oods a s I c o u l d c a r r y a n d left. T h e t h i r d d a y a f t e r w a r d s I was arrested a n d t a k e n b a c k to C a r l i s l e j a i l , a n d r e m a i n e d t h e r e t w o m o n t h s , w h e n t r i a l c ame o n , a n d I w as c o n v i c t e d a n d sentenced to the State p r i s o n for the t e r m of one year. I w as there three m o n t h s , w h e n I w as t a k e n s i c k , a n d r e m a i n e d s i c k f o u r m o n t h s , u n a b l e to do a n y w o r k . A s soon as I g ot w e l l e n o u g h I w e n t to the shoe s h o p , w h e r e I s t a i d t h e r e m a i n d e r of m y t i m e . I left t h e r e o n t h e i o t h d a y of A p r i l , 1 855. I went h o m e a n d f o u n d m y m o t h e r almost d i s t r a c t e d at the news of m y misfortune and bad conduct. D u r i n g t h e t i m e of m y absence s he had become b l i n d , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y c o u l d not see m e , w h i c h g r e a t l y a u g m e n t e d h e r distress. I w as s t i l l a f r a i d of t hese o l d c h a r g e s of f o r g e r y , a n d conseq u e n t l y d i d not stay m a n y h o u r s . I l eft a n d i n s t e a d of t a k i n g w a r n i n g b y the c r u e l a n d i g n o m i n i o u s lesson w h i c h I h a d j u s t r e c e i v e d , I w as d e t e r m i n e d to m a k e a m e n d s for m y loss of t i m e i n t he c o m m i s s i o n of c r i m e . I w e n t to M a d i s o n c o u n t y , K e n t u c k y , w h e r e I s oon f o r m e d a n a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h a y o u n g l a d y b y the name of E l i z a b e t h G a b b a r d . I c o u r t e d her for some t i m e , t e l l i n g h e r a l l sorts of lies. I t o l d h e r I was t h e son of a r i c h M r . T u r n e r , a n d t h a t t h e r e w e r e o n l y t w o c h i l d r e n of us, w h i c h was m y s e l f a n d m y sister; t h a t m y father a n d m o t h e r w e r e b o t h d ead, a n d t h a t m y l a r g e e state w as i n the h a n d s of a g u a r d i a n , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y I c o u l d not h a v e the c o n t r o l of i t u n t i l I a r r i v e d a t the age of t w e n t y - o n e years. A l l this answered m y purpose v e r y w e l l as t h e r e was a m a n b y t h e n a m e of D w h o professed to be w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e n a m e a n d the c i r c u m s t a n ces, a n d his story c o r r e s p o n d i n g w i t h m y o w n . U p o n t hese c o n d i t i o n s t he g i r l c onsented to m a r r y me o n the 17th d a y of M a y . T h e t i m e came a n d we were m a r r i e d . T h e n came a t r y i n g t i m e w i t h me, for I w a n t e d to l i v e i n s p l e n d o r , a n d to k e e p h e r

  
EDWARD W.

HAWKINS.

9

t he same w a y ; b u t h o w to a c c o m p l i s h it was the r u b w i t h me. S h e was a l o v e l y g i r l , a ged seventeen years, g e n t e e l , a n d of graceful manners. I l o v e d h e r as I d i d m y o w n l i f e , a n d to m a i n t a i n h e r h i g h a n d g a y , I t ook to r o b b i n g n i g h t a n d d a y . I t h e n f orged a note o n J a m e s M a u p i n f or $ 3 0 . I t h e n w e n t t o a certain M C t o k n o w about g e t t i n g some c o u n t e r f e i t m o n e y ; he t o l d m e to go to E L , t h a t he c o u l d t e l l a ll a bout it. I a c c o r d i n g l y w e n t a n d t o l d h i m I w a n t e d to k n o w w here I c o u l d get some of the coin, a s we c a l l e d it. H e t o l d m e t hat he w o u l d go w i t h me t h e n e x t d a y . A c c o r d i n g l y the next d a y we w e n t to W R , near Scoffold Cane, i n R o c k castel, c o u n t y , K e n t u c y . H e t o l d m e t h a t he h a d none at t h a t t i m e , b u t to come t h e n e x t d a y , and he w o u l d h a v e p l e n t y of i t . I w e n t the n e x t d a y a n d f o u n d h i m as good as h i s w o r d . I g o t n i n e t y d o l l a r s f r o m h i m , for w h i c h I p a i d h i m one for t wo. H e t o l d m e w h e n I w a n t e d m o r e , to come a n d get i t. T h e note w h i c h I forged on M a u p i n I g ave t o t h e c o u n t e r f e i t e r for h i s m o n e y . H e went to M a u p i n and s wore off the note, a n d R was a f r a i d to prosecute m e, for fear I w o u l d i n f o r m a gainst h i m , a n d t h e r e b y let t h e cat out of the w a l l e t u p o n h i m a n d h i s c l a n . T h e r e is a p a r t y c o n c e r n e d i n t h a t business, w h i c h it has a l w a y s been d iffic u l t t o detect. N o w , for fear t h e y m a y be t h e i n s t i g a t i o n of l e a d i n g s ome o t h e r y o u n g m e n to t h e i r r u i n , I w i l l g i v e t h e i n i t i a l s o f the names of the p a r t y w h o are c o n c e r n e d i n i t . I do n ot k n o w the n a m e of t h e m a n w h o m a n u f a c t u r e s i t , b u t I w i l l p u t y o u o n t h e t r a c k , so t h a t he m a y be e a s i l y f o u n d . This B R i s t h e head m a n i n s u p e r i n t e n d i n g t h e p a s s i n g of i t . E L ,M C -, L ; L , T L , and G S , are a l l u n d e r s t r i k e r s i n g i v i n g i t c i r c u l a t i o n . T h e y are the p r i n c i p a l m e n of t h a t b a n d , a n d a l l l i v e i n R o c k c a s t l e c o u n t y , K e n t u c k y , o n a creek c a l l e d R o u n d Stone, except R , w h o lives on E b a r Creek. A t t he t i m e I got t h i s last c o u n t e r f e i t m o n e y , a d i s c o v e r y w as made of the cheat a n d d e c e p t i o n I h a d p r a c t i c e d u p o n t h e g i r l . T h e y t r i e d t o arrest me, b u t I was too s m a r t for t h e m . I l eft there o n the 19th of J u n e , a n d left m y w i f e b e h i n d , i n w h o m w as c e n t e r e d a l l m y hopes of f u t u r e h a p p i n e s s . I went f r o m t h e r e to L e x i n g t o n , K e n t u c k y , w h e r e I e n l i s t e d i n the U n i t e d S tates A r m y , for the t e r m of five y e a r s . I stayed there

  
10

T H E CONFESSION OF

s even m o n t h s . Kansas

T h e first t r i p w e took was to F o r t L e a v e n w o r t h , W e reached there on t h e 15th d a y of Sep-

Territory.

tember, 1855, a n d o n the 2 0 t h received orders t o start to F o r t L a r a m i e , i n N e b r a s k a T e r r i t o r y , b u t before we got there r e c e i v e d o rders to r e t u r n to F o r t L e a v e n w o r t h . W e then remained there There I comW e w ere b etsight; This t hree d a y s , for the purpose of r e s t i n g o u r horses. menced b e t t i n g w i t h a m a n n a m e d T a n k e r s l e y . t i n g on shooting.

I got h o l d of his g u n a n d m o v e d the

h e shot a n d missed m y hat, and c o n s e q u e n t l y lost t h e bet. w as the first of m y t r i c k s i n the a r m y . I t ook twenty pairs of

W e soon r e t u r n e d to F o r t

L e a v e n w o r t h , a n d there I c o m m e n c e d m y o l d g a m e o f t h i e v i n g . p a n t a l o o n s from t h e store-room of the w i t h nine overcoats, twelve pairs of Quartermaster, together

s a l d i e r s ' boots, a n d s eventeen d ress coats, a n d p u t t h e m on b o a r d o f t he p i c k e t K e y s t o n e , a n d sent t h e m to W a y n e C i t y , M i s s o u r i , o n t he 23d d a y of D e c e m b e r , 1855. Liberty, in Clay county, f or a r e c r u i t i n g officer. S vania. S Missouri. I left there a n d w e n t then went to to W a y n e C i t y , M i s s o u r i , a n d got m y goods, a n d

T h e r e I passed m y s e l f off I told lived.

I soon b ecame a c q u a i n t e d w i t h a M i s s

, I commenced a courtship w i t h her. g reat splendor in which we

h er I was a n officer b e l o n g i n g to C a r l i s l e B a r r a c k s , , i n P e n n s y l I t o l d her of the T h a t s u i t e d h e r e x a c t l y , b ecause s he was a g i r l o f most e x q u i s i t e t aste, a n d was v e r y m u c h t a k e n w i t h m y appearance as an officer. W e e n g a g e d t o be m a r r i e d on tbe 2 7 t h d a y of J a n u a r y , 1856, a n d w ere a c c o r d i n g l y m a r r i e d on t h a t d a y . t h a n t w o w e e k s b efore I took a Lafayette county, den. Missouri. I d i d not s t a y t h e r e m o r e go to Lexington, to Camden, M . was fol    Here I I got M Eagle. R . There n o t i o n to

F r o m t here I w e n t

M i s s o u r i , a n d left m y y o u n g w i f e o n l y t h i r t e e n m i l e s f r o m C a m T h e r e I b ecame a c q u a i n t e d w i t h a M i s s M I immediately I w e n t there o n S u n d a y e v e n i n g , a n d t h e y f o u n d o u t t h a t I a n o fficer f r o m C a r l i s l e B a r r a c k s . lowing, w e w ere m a r r i e d . c o u r t i n g h e r , t e l l i n g her m a n y fine y a r n s , a n d o n T h u r s d a y r u a r y , 1 856. O n t he 2 7 t h I left, a n d w e n t to L e a v e n w o r t h C i t y . t ook u p m y l o d g i n g s w i t h acquained w i t h his daughter C off for the e d i t o r of the American

commenced

T h a t was o n t h e 7 t h d a y of F e b -

, a n d there I passed m y s e l f I g ot i n w i t h M r . J o h n there

C l a r k t o b u y a house a n d lot i n L e a v e n w o r t h C i t y , a n d

  
EDWARD W.

HAWKINS.

w ent u n d e r t h e name of A n d e r s . T h e house we w e r e g o i n g to b u y was a store-house, i n w h i c h we were to s e l l m e r c h a n d i s e . H e t o l d m e t h a t he h a d not the m o n e y to c o m m e n c e w i t h . I told h i m t h a t made no sort of difference, t h a t I h a d p l e n t y , a n d that I w o u l d p ut u p the store a n d he m i g h t a t t e n d to s e l l i n g t h e g oods, a n d w h e n he c o u l d m a k e i t c o n v e n i e n t he m i g h t , p a y me. H e t h e n said he c o u l d p u t i n $ 300 t o me for the start. That s uited m e e x a c t l y ; b u t I d i d not l i k e t o leave M i s s C , t h o u g h I c o u l d soon find a n o t h e r . A c c o r d i n g l y we made prepa r a t i o n f or me to start to St. L o u i s to l a y i n o u r stock of goods. I t ook, t w o C o l t ' s r e v o l v e r s a n d h i s $ 3 0 0 a n d set o u t for S t . L o u i s . B u t I d i d not go to S t . L o u i s , a s y o u m i g h t suppose, I w e n t to P l a t t e C i t y , a n d took l o d g i n g s at t h e F a r m e r s ' H o t e l , k e p t b y M r . N a s h . T h e n I took the p e d d l i n g - b o x of a D u t c h ( j e w e l r y ) p eddler. T h e n I was fixed for traveling:. I l eft t h e r e a n d was p u r s u e d t o F i s h i n g R i v e r . T h e y were so close o n me t h a t I h a d t o h i d e m y b o x of j e w e l r y a n d e scape a s fast as possible. They o v e r t o o k me at E l k h o r n , b u t finding n o t h i n g w i t h m e , d i d n o t t a k e me b a c k . T h e n e x t d a y I w e n t b a c k to get m y b o x , a n d s tarted to go to D o v e r , M i s s o u r i , w h e r e I deposited m y b o x w i t h Mr. C , a m a n w h o was v e r y s m a r t . I t o l d h i m to s e l l the a rticles a n d I w o u l d p a y h i m -.veil f or h i s t r o u b l e . H e was as s mart as I was. H e s o l d the g oods a n d I d i d not get one cent for them. B u t I soon made i t u p ; for m y s e l f , T I. L , and E     B , w e n t to his store a n d took f r o m h i s s h o w c ases a bout five h u n d r e d d o l l a r s w o r t h of j e w e l r y of different kinds. W e disposed of t h e m to the b est a d v a n t a g e . T h e n , o n M a y t h e 1st, as w e l l as I n o w r e c o l l e c t , we w e n t t o J . L . W h i t t i n g t o n ' s lot, a n d took f r o m it a fine horse a n d a mule. T h e t w o were w o r t h t h r e e h u n d r e d d o l l a r s . W e t h e n w e n t to P l a t t e C i t y , M o . , w h e r e we i n t e n d e d to sell the horse, a n d d i d s e l l the m u l e , a n d were detected the fifth d a y a f t e r w a r d . T h e r e was a m a n w h o w o u l d swear t h a t m y p a r t n