The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-06-06
- - Io.isville Democrat, Nay fsth.

-. .se louisville Democrat, Nay 1sth.
...r.hye accidents In the Lie - q Fefsns
~. career Of the youthful Ed. Hawkins;
~Aohss recently been sentenced to death,
\ Estill county, KY, for the murder q
TAn6 and Irwin, would furnish an exching
snnal q the wherewith to embellish the
lives Of EeIons. He is only about twenty
tvolysass cf age, is robust and PROPOSES,
sinS ii appearance, possessing an an anu
f1afure we'll calculated to deceive iadies u
susceptibility and yerdancy. HIS own con
fession II ! proof of his tact as aGeei, Ar aoi
he has been married no less tnan nai. u o1as.
en- times, to young and Interesting iei m es,
and il is remarkable that tney arg III yes
living. At the time OF ms arres', he was
promenading with lady Win wnom ~ was
engaged to be married, who was TO Fave
been the seventh victim to his fasclnati 10
Young Hawkins is grandson OF ION
Harper, the notorious brigand, VINO was
prominent in the bloody scenes OF early
kentucky history. About the 10th OF
March last, the subject Of this sketch stole
n mare. on the waters OF Silver Greek, IN
Madison county, Ky. He had disposed OF
his small estate at Proctor, Owsley county,
near which place, he was apprehended by
his unfortunate victims, Land and Irwin, on
the 22d Of the same month.
The prisoner having been conveyed some
fifteen miles toward Estill county, Irwin nad
dismounted and given his horse to Hawkins,
who rode by the side of Land. In an un-
earded moment Hawkins caught Lands
right hand, and leaning forward drew ms
pistol (which was a self-cockmg reVoVer)
from his bosom. He Immediately hred up
on 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 distance on his hands and feet, Hawk
ms ran up to his .ond victim, with his
pistol presented, when Land raised his
hands imploringly, invoking Hawkins not to
shoot him. Hawkins fred, however, and
the shot took effect in Lands eye killing
him instantly.
Irwin was still struggling in death when
found few minutes after the shooting
The murderer wandered about for several
days after having committed the double
crime, and confesses that he rambled back
to the scene of the encounter on Tuesday,
his path crossing the blood which had fow-
ed from the wounds Of his innocent young
victims. =,
He was finally traced to cavern in the
neighborhood aud was so closely pursued IN
his hiding place that he heard the converse
ton of his pursuers, and repeated propo-
sition made to smoke him from his conceal
ment. Discovering an opening in the cav
crn, he escaped into Ohio, whether he was
followed by some worthy citizens OF Estlll
county. They were close upon him at one
time, when he cludcd their vigilance by a.
fecting to be laborer, and proceeded to
lay some rails on neighboring fence. HIS
identity was SO nearly recognized by one OF
the partv, that the remark was made by one
of the pursucrs to u companion, that when
they did find Hawkins, they would find a
man that almost exactly rescmbled the indi-
yidual laying the fence before them. They
passed on, however, unconscious Of the
presence Of the very individual they were so
eagerly pursuing.
He was subsequently, identified and ar
rested near his fathers residence IN Ono,
and conveyed to the Esti county Jail by way
OF Covington. A popular meeting was then
held, which appealed to Judge Pearl for an
immediate trial to the prisoner. In accord
ance with the general sentiment, the Judge
convened his special term on the 9th ult.-
In the meantime many citizens who were
impatient at the tardy administration of
Justice informed Hawkins that if he should
not be ready for trial at the appointed time,
or should obtain a change of venue, they
would themselves administer that summary
justice which the nature Of the crime de-
manded.
But d jury was obtained without delay and
the young outlaw had fair and impartial
hearing. He had the benefit Of the legal
ability of four attorneys of distinctions
On the 30th of March, he was found guilty
of murder in the first degree. fact is re-
lated of him, which illustrates his GOODNESS
even in extremity, and exhibits his inditfer-
ence in the contemplation of felon,s death.
The sentence of death was expressed in the
usual form, concluding with the expression
that the prisoner must be hanged by the
neck until he is dead. When Hawkins was
recommitcd, after the sentence had been
pronounced, in tone and manner betoken-
ing the most careless lcvity, he said: ''The
Judge says | shall be hung by the neck!
where in hell would man be hung, if not
by the neck"
Hawkins has made many confessions
which are entitled to more or less confidence.
He says he has served one year in the State
penitcntiary, and entered the regular army,
which he deserted, after killing command
ing officer. lie numbers bis murdered VIC
tins by the half dozen, and rcjoices in the
love Of as many wives, all of whom, are
living. He seems to possess a~taste for the
refinemcnts of life, even in his brutality
A correct drawing of the cave which he in
habited, has enabled a gentleman to find the
pistol which he forced from Land, with
which he committed the foul deeds which he
is to expiate on the scaifold. His taste for
art, evinced itself in skilful drawing which
he made in his cell the Sabbath day pre-
ccding his trial. The picture delineated a
beautiful female expiring beneath the blow
Of hatchet, in the hands Of seduccr-
doubtless scene in which he himself play
cd an active part. As if to lend horrible
contrast to the views, he added the design
of two graceful doves--those images Of
innocence and peace-upon the same cam
yass.
Sugar Prospect.