The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-19
from the n. Y. sun
AN INTERESTING MANIAC.
George A. Hawkins Career from Prosperity f.
neRth by Suicide.

George n. HAWKINS career from prosperity 10
Death by Suicide,
\ very few years ago George A Hawk
ius was flourishing fur merchant, doing
business near the corner OF broadway and
Spring street. Ills net receipts were $780,
900 year. lie lived in fine style in the
arstocralic part of Second avenue, kept a
carriage, supported his family well, and
was looked upon by brother furriers, such
as Gunther e Co, as a rising man in the
trade. But rcverses came, and besides
having to breast the storm of financial
crisis, be had also to groan under the bur
dens imposed upon him by an extravagant
wife, and he went under. Friends cstab
lished him again in business in small way,
but the mans spirit was broken, and al
though he worked hard to build himself up
his success was not adequate to his labors,
and little by little he lapsed into condition
of utter despair. An Englishmsn by birth,
and devoted member of the Episcopal
church. he became at length monomaniac
on the subject Of religion, and when, some
three or four months ago, he engaged
board for himself and two sons at Mrs.
Cary's, 141 Grand street, he was often
heard to say that his sins had been SO
fragrant that they could not be forgiven
that he received orders from the Almighty
which he was not able 10 obey, by reason
Of The devils influence. and that he would
be obliged TO put an end TO his life to ap-
pease offended deity. His oiily food vas
bread and fish, ana he would not touch
bread that was cut with the knife. His
only drink was water or tea, which he took
at n restaurant. rarely occupying place
at his landlady's table. On all subjects ex-
cept that of religion he was perfectly sane,
but his notions in regard to that were those
of a monomaniac. What money he earned
he always placed in the hands Of the fore
woman of his shop, who would never give
him more than twenty-fi cents at time,
Sufficient to pay for his frugal meal.
My reason for this" said she, " was
that when l happened to give him more on
one occasion, he said, putting part of the
money aside, This will pay for laudanum,
and knowing his morbid state Of mind,
was afraid to trust him.
Mr.. Hawkins was go nervous that he
could not use his latch key, and it always
was necessary for him to ring far the serv-
ant to admit him to his lodgings, and after
he entered he would frequently walk the
floor ell night talking to himself
One morning recently, at about nine
o'clock, his eldest son, who slept with
him, was startled by his fathers hard
breathing. He had previously suspected
that his father was thinking Of suicide, and
taking him by the shoulders and shaking
him, he asked, g Father, have you taken
anythlng!' No." was the reply. But
the excessive stupor of his parent alarmed
the young man. He sprang out of bed,
ran for physician, and then to the nearest
police station for aid. A hurried examina-
ton showed that the unhappy man had ia
ken laudanum, and an empty vial with the
tell-tale label, was found under his pillow.
He was taken to Bellevue, where every
effort was made to revive lin, but in vain,
and he died about two O'Clock The son
FASTENED to a wealthy brother-in-law Of his
father. with the request that he should do
something toward giving the deceased a
decent burial. ono" said the reletiye-a
wealthy merchant" can't do 1t. Let
the city bury biul.' Another relative in
Jersey City was Visited with like result,
and it is likely that the gentle, good-heari-
ed, and once rich and influential George
IaWklns Will DC buried IN paupers
grave, unless those who knew him in hi.
prosperous days come forward and pay
such tribute to his memory as shall save it
from that disgrace
He had made an unsuccessful attempt Mt
suicide some Elk weeks before his death.
The timely appiiance of stomach pump
saved his life. 1t ia somewhat singular
that on the night before his death he com
piled with the request of his son, and took
cup of tea and piece Of bread and but
ter with him. This was the first time he
had been known to eat cut bread since the
receipt Of the supposed divine command to
cat only broken bread. lie was not re-
ligious enthusiast, although he attended
church every night and was not influenced
by Moody and Sankey Tor he had never
heard them He leaves a son seventeen
years old, another seven, and daughter.
now with relatives in the country. The
whereabouts OF the daughter had been
mystery for some time, and the fear that
She might be placed in Catholic convent
is supposed 10 have aggravated his mental
melady.