Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-28
HEAETLEssSEss.
A Bold aud Infamous Conf.
dence operation.
An Innocent and Unsuspect-
"a ing Country Girl the vi,
Victim.

a dashing young fellow. calling him.
self Willis ~ Hawkins, and claiming
to be a son Of Judge Hawkins, Of
Nashville, very suddenly terminated
brief but brilliant career in The city,
last evening, by jumping the town, with
the police and detectives at bis heels.
Some two or three days since he came to
the city in company with two respectable
young ladies', Of North Mississippi, 10
one Of whom. II would seem, be was en-
gagged to be married, and put up at the
0gerton Hotel. His mission in Mem
phis, as he represented, was that Of pro-
curing bridal outfit for his intended
prior to tour to Paris 40 once here he
visited the popular house Of Menken
Bros, ordered trosseau from the rich
est fabrics 10 the establishment and
with view TO satisfying the Messrs. B.
& Bro. of bis abililyro meet all bills, he
deposited with these gentlemen pocket
book, labeled and supposed to contain
$1,000. On the strength of this deposit
he ran up bill for goods purchased to
the amount of about 1900, portion of
which he had sent to the ladies rooms at
the hotel, sending Others to a fashionable
milliner of the city to be made up. Prior
to this be had also purchased clothing on
bis own account TO the amount Of about
5000, which he had paid for ia cash.
Things had run on in this manner, the
orders for additional goods constantly
increasing, and those in the hands Of
the Billiner being made up, when all of a
sudden the Messrs. Menken became sus-
picious that everything might not be
altogether as lovely as it seemed, and
shortly before noon yesterday intinated,
in the most delicate manner, that as they
would have to meet an acceptance in
bank that evening they would feel OBJ.
liged to Hawkins If be could let them
have, say $500, on account. Though
somewhat taken back by this request, he
promptly expressed his perfect wiling
ness to comply, and left the house, as he
ntimated, to do so. After seeing the la
dies at the hotel, and ascertaining if
their demands had all been complied
with, he left, but unfortunately did not
return so promptly as he had promised.
Time passed, and he still came not.
Then the package in the safe was opened,
and lo what purported to be $1,000,
turned out bundle Of printed paper.
rush was made to- police head.
quarters aud the detectives placed
on the track of the scoundrel But
he was nowhere to be found. Taking
time by the forelock he had jumped the
town. Then the ladies at the hotel were
visited, and here the real diabolism of the
young scoundrel was at length unmasked.
None more than the young lady, who had
been misled into giving him her heart
and promising him her hand. were more
surprised and shocked at hearing of his
exodus. And then and there the sad story
of his deception was told. Hawkins had
visited her at her home, represented him
self as Immensely rich, and sought and
gained her promise to be his wife.
Poor herself she had given her all
to him, and with some $500 of her money,
he had left her alone and helpless. Her
sister was with her, her only companion,
and the two returned this morning heart
sick and miserable to their homes. The
villain, though he had robbed his inno-
cent victim, what was probably his
baser purpose was unaccomplished.