The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-29
Police Intelligence.
IN THE NATTER OF wINN 1 HAWKINS, CHARGED
WITH FALSE PRETENCEs.


Before Justice Osborn.
AT the last hearing of this case before the Police
Court, in which VIM & Hawkins are charged with
obtaining money Of Mr.. Cyrus Scofeld by false pre-
fences, the evidence of Mr.. James w Barker, of No.
III Monroe street. was taken, who testified in sub
stance al follows:-
That on or about the FIRST day Of December last,
said Hawkins came to deponent, and stated that he
was about to change his business (said Hawkins
having been previously engaged in tho dry goods
business in Catharine stree) that he was going in
to business with gentleman-in fact they had been
together for three months past and that during that
time he (Hawkins) had made over $4,000 clear
cash. He said he had invested with this person, in
his new business $l2 900 900, in addition to
the 1000 he had already made Hawkins said he
would sell his dry goods store and invest that also
he said he had invested oil his father in law money,
and that the business was perfectly fair and legii
mate-a business that would pay from ten to twenty
per cent per month. Hawkins further said, that in
all cases in advancing money in the new business,
he always had tho securities in his pocket for all ad
vances made; that as the money went out of one
pocket, he had the securities in the other that he
never entrusted the money in any other persons
charge, without having in his own hands full and
ample security; he frequently had large amounts of
gold dust in his safe. and carried the key in his
pocket. Hawkins further said that if the oi.y
sho.Id BE destroyed, and Ills BODY found, deponent
would be safe for any money loaned him, as secur-
ties would always be found upon his person; that
in lending him (Hawkins) money for three, four, or
five days. he would, upon an hours notice, produce
the money as he could get it by returning the secu-
rity he held for it; deponent then asked Hawkins
if the business was an honorable one; he replied
that it was but he could not tell what it was for if
he did hundreds would rush into it, but that deponent
might rest assured, upon his word as an honest man,
that it was fair and honorable business--as much
any dry goods business; he further added that
he did not wish to borrow money from many, and
wished to borrow from deponent and deponent's
brother, and depenent's firm; Hawkins then said
that he was himself worth $4,000 when he COM
menced, and the persons with whom he was con-
nected in business was worth $40 900, which he had
seem and which was with his $40 900, invested in
this business the said partner alluded to- afterwards
deponent learned was Mr. VIM; on the 10th of
January, Hawkins came to deponent, and assuring
him that all the representations previously IN lde
true. and that deponent could not lose any money,
asked a loan Of $4,000; deponent believing such re-
presentations to be true, loaned the said Hawkins
Winn $4,000, which amount has never been repaid ;
on the 9th Of February, deponent called for his
money; but previous to his own store, he was in
formed by his partner that Hawkins had beeen after
money, and that he (deponent's partner) had
promised to loan him $4,000, and proposed
to take Hawkins check for the amount deponent
then went to Hawkins Office and asked him for
the 1000 previously loaned; Hawkins replied that
he had re-invested it at an enormous interest, and
that his check would be good on the Monday fol-
lowing Hawkins wanted deponent to raise him all
the money he could as he could use it to great ad-
vantage; deponent told him that he had check
for $500, certified, which he could have until the
Monday following; Hawkins took the check and
gave his own cheek for that amount in lieu of it; on
the Saturday following deponent called at VIM &
Hawkins Office about o'clock P. NJ, when Haw-
kins again said that deponent's money would be
forthcoming on Monday; but that on Tuesday next
he should want 81, 900 more from deponent, and
that my partners must try and raise 900 for him,
adding that Mr.. Moulton had promised, few days
before, to raise $40 900 for him; the following
Monday, early on the morning, deponent received q
note from Hawkins, requesting deponent to come
Immediately to his office; deponent went and there
found VIM Hawkins apparently in much distress,
or affecting to be so; Hawkins declaring and OK
claiming that he ruined, that his character was
blasted, that he was bankrupt, and had ruined his
family; on further inquiry, Hawkins stated that a
man named Pin White, Of whom deponent had
never before heard, either from Hawkins or any one
else, had been partner Of the concern Of VIM x
Hawkins, and that no. said White, had run away,
carrying with him all the funds Of the concern !;
Hawkins said that both he and VIM were ruined
and unable to pay dollar to their creditors; depo-
mont further says that he had much conversation with
Hawkins, and became convinced from the different
and contradictory statements made by Hawkins, his
| demeanor and whole conduct and action, then and
| since, that the pretencetb that White had run away
with all the money OF the concern was false, and
done with an intent to cover their ATTEMPT to de-
fraud dep0nent and others
Cross-examinati0n of Mr.. Barker 70 questions nut
by Mr.. Whiting, counsel for the defendants-I am
at present engaged in the real estate business as
broker; in November last, was engaged in the dry
goods importing and jobbing business, in the arm
Of Moulton, Barker & Heller; that firm failed in
business about the 10th of February; the said firm
loaned money to Hawkins, through me, in the month
| of November; the first sum loaned was 81 200;
think that loan repaid, with interest; the next
| loan was $1,000; do not remember the amount o.
the third loan the last two loans were not paid u
me; they were paid at the desk to Mr. Heller, pre-
| sumo; have never looked ut the account; do not
know whether any interest was paid on the last two
loans; all the money borrowed from the firm wa'
repaid; have received money from Hawkins fol
the use Of the money loaned him, but have nc
means of knowing the amount received; VIM &
Hawkins owe me personally $500; hold theil
| check for that amount; have not got them WITT
other for $5 900, with addition of $500, which
Hawkins added when went for my money, which
was when the check was due.
unders4 anding or agreement as to how you were u
be benefited by the various loans you were from
time TO time making to Hawkinsl
Ale told me 20 borrow all the money for hin
llpf could. informed linn I had hut vi a