Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-02
VOL. 5-..N0. $50.
DAILY VIRGINIAN. :
Uucidenss In ahe 1.iGr Of n Feo0m.

The career of the youthful Ed. Hdckins. who
has recently been sentenced to death. in Estill
county (Ky.) for the murder Of Land and Irwin.
would furnish an exciting annal wherewith to
embelli-h the Lives Of the Fslons. He is only
about twenty-five years Of age, Ia robust and
repossessng IN appearances; possessing an air
and fenture we'll calculated to deceive ladies' Of
susceptibility and verdancy. He has been mar
ried no less thnn hall dozen times to young and
interesting females aud they are all yet living
AT tho time of his arrest 10 was promenadng
with IA lady to whom he was engaged to be mar
ried. who was to have been the seventh victim to
his arts. Young Hawkins is a grandson Of Ton
Harper, tho notorious brigand, who was promi-
mont in tho bloody scenes OF carly Kentucky
history. About the 18th OF March last the sub
iect of this sketch stole u horse in Madison coon-
ty, Kentucky. He had disposed OF his small
estate at Proctor, Owsley county, near which
place he was apprehendod by his unfortunate
victims. Land and Irwin, on the 22d of tho snme
month. The prisoner having been conveyed
some fifteen miles toward Estill county Irwin
had dsmo united and given his horse 10 Hawkins,
who rode by tho side Of Land. In an unguarded
moment Hawkins caught Lands right hand, and,
reaching forward drew his pistol (which was a
self cooking revolver) from his bosom He i'm
mediatelv fired upon Irwin. who was walking by
his side, the ball taking effect in the left temple
and pn, sing out through the lower jaw. Land
and Hawkins then jumped or fell from their hor-
ses simultaneously; Land running some distance
ON his hands and foot. Hawkins ran up to his
second victim with, his pistol presented, when
Land raised his hands imploringly, invoking
Hawkins not to shoot. Hawkins fred however,
and the shot took effect in Mr. Lands eye. Kill
ling him instantly. Irwin was still struggling in
denth when found n few minutes after the shoot
ing The murderer wandered about for several
dnys utter he had committed the double crime.
and coniessos TINT he rambed back to tho soeno
A. f.lt, Nm his mt
crossing tho blood which had flowed from tho
wounds of his innocent young victims. He was
fnnlIy trnced To II cavern in the neighborhood.
and was so closely pursued in his hidlug. place
TINT be heard the conversation of his pursuers.
aud repeated proposition made ut the time to
smoke him from his ooncealment. Discovering
an opening into the cavern, he escaped to Ohio.
whittier he was pursued by some citizens OF Es-
,l county. They were close upon him at one
time, WHEN he eluded their vigilance by affecting
to be n lnhorer. and proceeded to place some
rails on n neighboripg fence. His identity was
so nearly recognised by ono Of tho party that
the remark was made by ono Of the pursuers to n
companion that when they did find Hawkins they
would find man that almost exactly resembled
tho individual laying the fence before them.
They passed on, however, unconscious Of the
presence of the very individual whom they were
40 cnpcrly pursuing. He was subsequently
identified and arrested near his fathers residence.
in Ohio aud conveyed TO the Estil county jail.
A popular meeting was then hold, which appeal
cd TO Judge Pearl for nm im'nediade trial of the
pri soncr In accordance with the general wish.
the Judge convened his special term on the 9th
ultimo. In the mean time many citizens, who
were impatient Mt tho tardy adm inistration of
Justice. informed Hawkins that il he should not
be ready for ,rial ut the app ointcd time, or should
obtain change of venue, they would themselves
administer that summary justice which tho nature
of his crime demanded. But jury was obtained
without delay. aud the young outlaw had fair
hearing IIe had the benefit of the legal ability
of four attorneys of distinction. On the 3Oth OF
March he was found guilty of murder in the first
degree. - Louisville Democrat.