Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-06-03
Hsonshe Lonissstis Democrat Of May i3th-
Aena1kable Incidents In the Life - =

rronsA. Louisvsfis Democrat Of MAY i3th-
31n Jncidensxin the Life ~ .
feiOns
The career Of The youthful Ed. Hawkins: WHO
has recently been sentenced TO death, IN EssiH
county, Ky, for the murder 0. LAID and Irwin,
would furnish an exciting ANIMAL wherewith.tc
cmbeiiisi the lives OF Feions. He is only about
twenty-five years Of age, is robust and Frepos-
s-ssing in appearance possessing an air ard
feature weIi caicuiatedto deceive ladies OF sus-
ceptib;iity and verdancy. His ewn confession
ia a proof of his tact as lover, for he has been
married no less than half dozeu times, 10
Young aud interesting females; and it y retaafk-
able that they are ali yet living. At the time. OF
bus arrest he IVES promsnading with lady with
whom he was engaged to be married, Who was
to have been the seventh victim TO his fascina-
tons. Young Hawkins is a grand son OF Tom
Harper, the notorious brigand, who was promi-
nent in the bloody scenes of early Kentucky
history. About the 9Th of March last the sub
,ect Of this sketch stole mare on the waters OF
silrer Greek, in Madison county, Ky. lie had
disposed Of his small estate at Proctor, owsley
comfy near which place he Was unprecedented ~
his unfortunate victims, Land and Irwin, on the
I'D of the same month.
The prisoner having been conveyed some hi-
teen miles toward Estiil county, Irwin had dis
mounted and given his horse to Hawkins, who
rode by the side of Land. In an unguarded
moment Hawkins caught Lands right hand, and
leaning forward drew his pistol (Which was =
seIf.cocking reyolver) from his BOSOM lie I'm
mediateiy fired upon Irwin, WHO was walking by
his side, the ball taking effect in the left temple,
and passed out through the lower jaw. Land
and Hawkins then jumped or fell from theIr
horses simultaneously, Land running some dis
l.; ham dc
to his second victim, with his pistol presented
when Land raised his hands implorngly, invok'
ing Hawkins not to shoot him. Hawkins hired,
however and the shot took effect in Lands eye
killing him instantly.
Irwin was still struggling in death when found
a few minutes after the shooting. The murder
er wandered about for several days after having
committed the double crime, and confesses that
he rambled back to the scene oil the encounter
on Tuesday, his path crossing the blood which
had flowed from the wounds of his innocent
young victims.
He was finally traced to cavern-i in the neigh
borhood and was 20 closely porsned in his hiding
place that he heard the conversation of his per
suers, and repeated proposition mace at the
time to smoke him from his concealment. Dis
covering an opening in the cavern he escaped
into Ohio, whether he followed by some
| worthy citizens of Estill county. They were
close upon him at one time when he e1uded thei
vigilance by affecting to be a laborer, and pro
ceeded to lay some rails ON a neighboring fence
| His identity so nearly recognized by one o
the party. that the remark was made by one Of
| the pursuers,.o companion, that when they
| did find Hawkins, they would find a man tina
almost exactly rcsembled the individual laying
the fence before them. They passed on, how
ever, unconscious of the presence of the very in
dividua they were so eagerly persuIng.
| He was subsequently identified and arrested
near his fathers residence in Ohio, and conveyed
to the Estill county jail by way OF Covington.-
A popular meeting was then held, which appeal
ed to Judge Pearl for an immediate trial to thu
prisoner In accordance with the genera! SEN
tlment, the Judge convened his special term OF
| the 9th ult. In the meantime many citizen
who we're impatient at the tardy administration
| of Justice informed Hawkins that if he shou.t
not be ready for trial at the appointed time, o.
| should obtain change of venue, they wonlt
themselves administer that summary justice
which the nature of the crime demanded.
But a jury was obtained without delay ant
the Young outlaw had a lair and Impartial! hear
| ing. He had the benefit of the legal ability o
| tour attorneys of distinction. On the "Oth o
March he was found guilty OF murder III the frs
degree A fact is related of him which illus
trateS his c0OlneSS even Ill eAITeilltf, anu en-
| hibits his Indifference in the contemplation OF
fclons death. The santence of the Judge wa
expressed in the usual form, concluding wit
the expression that the prisoner must be hanse
by the neck until he is dead. When Hawkin
was recomm tied, after the sentences lad bee
| pronounced in a tone and manner betokenin!
the most careless levity he said "The Judge say
l shall be hung by the neck! where in he'll woul
a man be hung, if not by the neck"
Hawkins has made many confessions whic
are entitled to more or less confidence. Ii
says he has served one year in the State peni
Tertiary and. entered the. regular army, which h
deserted, after killing a commanding officer
He numbers his murdered victims by the hal
dozen, and rejoced in the love Of as many wive
all of whom are living. He seems to possess
taste for the refnemcnts of life, even in hi
brutality. A correct drawing of the cave whic
he inhabited, has enabled a gentleman to fin
the pistol which he forced from gland, wit
which he committed the foul deeds which lie
to expiate on the scafod. His TASTE for al
evinced itself in skilful drawing which h
made in his .cell the Sabbath day precedin
his trial. The picture delneated beautiful lie
male expiring beneath the blow Of a llatche
in the hands of a seducer-doubteSs IL scene i
which he himself played an active part. As
| to lend horrible contrast to the views he ad
ded the design Of two graceful doyes-thos
images of innocence and peace-upon the sam
| canvas.