The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-18
A FEMALE SCAMP.
SHE CARRIES ON HUGE swfNDLE A6ArTs7
HER MorHKR-HIGH SOCIETY IN LOUISVILLE
sCASDALIZFD

HER MorHKR-HIGH SOCIETY IN LOUISVILLE
scASpALIzEp.
From the ST. Louis G9be-Democrall
LOUISVILLE, KY. june l3. 1877.
sensation OF very startling as well 40 distressing
nature has been developed in Louisville In the last ew
days Inc prominence Of the most concerned,
the high social position OF the lady who IN unately
figures SO conspcuousiy in the affair, together with
circumstances peculiar and original lend
est and importance OF the deepest nature. Several
years ago, as tho story is told. Mrs T. T. HAWKINS
represented 10 her mother, mrs. George w. Mcrri.
wetner. who Is widow and well three score
funds she could make fortune by investing IN to-
bacco
TOBACCO SPECULATION
Mrs. Merriwether was told that Senator Stevenson,
James Taylor. Henry rimbcrake and Hon George Il.
Pendleion we're parties In scheme to buy tobacco,
with certainty OF selling at enormous pronlk Her
acquaintance with them would enable her, said,
enter into their scheme, provided the necessary funds
could be obtained Having iui condolences in tho hon.
csty Of her daughter the mother advanced different
times different sums Of money, amounting in all
to perhaps $4,000 Tho daughter would say
that tho Investments were paying q large yied and
millions were sure 10 come time aone being
to secure fortune Ia proof OF The fact that large
amounts were made on investments, Mrs. Hawkins
would show to her mother letters purportng 70 have
been written by the gentlemen whose names
toned above Thss believing, tho mother gave up
$40 900 IN oonds 81 700 IN cash and her income Tor
three years, agsregatng In ALL u ID said to nearly
$@0,Oo0 The prospect. as sue was made 10 see IL,
OF a teniod return Of all her Investments, led Mrs
Merriwe her 10 involve herself in dcUt order that
the Income night be put into tobacco speculation
Tho part Played ny the mother aud daughter
ceacd closely IRON everybody, other members oil the
garb OF secrecy wrapped about thor every action
toe Widows trustees aud banker being among the
myst'hed. Mrs Merriwether gave up everything just
her daughter directed until some months ago, wuen
with her means exhausted. she began 10 ask tor
OF tue yield would BRING as she imagined. ana the
daughter, doubtless feeling that no moro money could
be had ceased 10 as. TOR H. and turned her atten
ton to keeping of discovery as long as possible.
A CLEVER Liz
She related to her mother bookkccper Of the
tobacco syndicate had absconded with large amount
OF funds which had accrued IRON Investments For
tnnatey, she explained, the book Keepers father
wealthy New Englander, and rather than permit his
son 10 DO sent to the Penitentiary would restore
what tie had stolen. The only trouble, The
daughter said, was IN the tact that the book.
in making up the losses. for six NOUNS. ' a.
tho story told ths PLANTATION satisfied tho mother
When II could oe used no longer something else was
invented. The daughter. US our Informant relates,
represented TO tho motner That tho notes IRON Gov
ernor Stevenson Colonel Taylor and Others mad al last
como and had been handed her IN persoa by mes-
sengcr. Mrs. hcrriH sther was oveIjoyed 10 know
this One note oil her own called Tor 500. 900 and
other Tor SIS 900. The daughter hold similar notes
james Taylor the name sigued 10 all oil them
Mrs McrrIwcther, in con pany with ner daughter, then
senting her notes Tor collection. Mr. J. II. Rhorer,
the cashier and former business associate oi MrS
Mcrriwcther's husband, looked AZ them aud said he
would send the notes Tor colIcction. Mrs Meiri-
wetner remarked that che neod OF money at
once Understanding her 10 desire advance, Rhorer
declined as delIcatey Ms possible. He had observed
irregularities IN the form oil the notes and though he
did not hint at thus to tn" LADIES'. he resolved IN his
own mind to advance nothing. ttHA
DISCOVERY BEGINS
They left, and he, investigating the notes. learned
that neither Taylor, stevenson nor any one else
Covington or Newport, where these gentlemen live,
Is indebted to either Mrs Merriwether or hsr
could obtain Sir. Rhorcr learned that Mrs
Hawkins never connected win tobacco invest
mcnts IN winch Taylor, stevenson and Peudeton hg-
ured He addressed letter TO the latter before MO
notes were presented, having suspected something
wrong, but never received an answer subsequently
Khorcr heard that Pendelon ignorant Of the
purchases anu likewise OF Mrs. Hawkins, himself
imagining scheme existed 20 get his signature mad
refused 10 answer on these grounds SeLator steven.
also wrote that ne had knowledge oil The pur.
cnascs Mrs. Hawkins claimed 70 have been in.ercsted
In, ord rmberake ana the others che had named
the syndicate. Mr.. Rhorer, Messrs hennng speed,
the latter trustees oil Mira Ms estate, Came To the
conclusion from the evidence and investg alton that
Mrs. Hawkins nad never invested cent IN the
ner she described. They told her mother this out she
stouly insisted otherwise and SAID The funds had Nil
been sent by express 10 the parties named. The
Adams Express record showed that no money had
been Sent aud this fact was related as deicatcly
possible the Mother She would not believe u, pre-
erring 10 accept the daughters satement MS the true
Mrs. HawSIns stated that the money had been
Invested, ana that the gentlemen IN question were
holding II back. Pendcion excepted
DELIBERATELY swNDLfNU MOTHER.
The fac,s, beyond the shadow OF u doubt. wore OF.
hbited 10 show MIS- Merriw ether that she had been
aupsd by her daughter but al, OF no ava,L She will
believe nothing Of the KIDD messing that the money
was due her and should be pad such was tbc story
told the writer by Ihorer, Speed and Henn,ng, all
gentlemen OF undoubted veracity and nign stanaina
IN Kentucky. They believe Mrs. Hawkins has
cured the money Tor her own use IA the Last
eral years has spent u little by little. They salts.
Ned beyond doubt that no tobacco syndicate ever CIV
listed, and say they are quito cerain one oil the
gentlemen mentioned ever received any money from
Hu Her WAs. hcv
think, cunningly devised to deiraud her mother the
bIud conhdencc OF whom caused her 20 give up ali OF
hor fortune and Will now noccsstatc the disposal
VI all her property to secure release from the pres
ent trouble. rho writer called AZ Mira HAwkins'
residence to-day 70 hear her statement
male relative received him, and said that
Mrs hawkins vs. Ill. Her husband mas been
sensation has completely Frustrated Mrs Mcrrwcther,
Tho relative substantiaied the story OF Hcnnng and
others. and expressed his unquailncd belief the
ststcmonI mat money had been sent, Mrs
Haw kins represented lie saId tho mother alone will
suffer-, all that had been taken being hers IL vii
cause complete financial ruu, AS the remainder Of the
estate must 20 to mako up tho amount oil debts
Cured while incomes were devoted as she supposed,
for tobacco specuations.
nrsTERiEs.
The relative stated that noth,ng vhatcvor Is known
TO how MrR Hawkins has DIS osed OF the money.
she also seems to have had ederatc the forged
letters from parties mentioned are IN masculine hand
writing The confederate Is unknown. THIS relative
attributes actions hroughout TO dcranged mud.
He insists stoutIy that Mrs Hawkins 10 suffering
IRON mental abcrratiop will less than SIX
be pronounce insane by court OF justice In the last
lew days she has written letters tho Judge OF tne
Cbancery Court and the Mayor Oi the city inquirng
from the first Tho steps TO procure place unatc
ium and from the latter permit 10 enter the Poor
House. These requests she explained, were made In
behalf OF n very dear friend. The rel itive had no
TO say except that Mrs. Hawkins SIN insists that
the money was disposed oil as rho alleges
such Is the story, us Told by those who know. Most
certainly, II mad, there has been method in Mrs
Hawkins madness Her social position has been
high Her father, Colonel Weir, oil Lexington, was
well known. He died OF insanity some years ago.
Mrs. Hawkins, while her stcpfaiher was living,
poisoned Two OF her children Tho then
SAID have been accidental This affair has produced
profound Impression aud great interest and excite
ncnt throughout tho CITY aud State. II is told as
have related, Mrs Hawkins presented another
bank, similar TO those shown ny her mother, but got
10 money. On another OCCASION she secured $780, bat
paid IT, the case s certain'y most singular and
causes great sensation The story Is generally 40
ccpted rs true In the way have related IT,