The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-12
THE DEATH PENALTY.
A Hardened Criminal Who Bru-
tally Murdered His Mother
FOR OPPOSING HIS MARRIAGE
With the Girl Of His Choice-His
Confession orthe Horrible Crime.
Tcn.Talc Bloodspots on the
Floor ofa Livery Stable.

RIvERHEAD, L. l., Dec. ll.--FranciI
Asbury Hawkins was hanged this morn
ing ut s:35!. Sunday morning, October
9, 1887, the village OF Islip was startled
by the news that Mrs. Cyntheanean
Hawkins had been found murdered or
the weelwood road, near Brentwood
cemetery. Some persons on their way
to church found the body Of woman
among some brush on the roadside, and
Immediately conveyed the news to the
village. Asbury Clock, one of the many
villagers who hastened to the spot, at
once recognized the body as that OF his
sister, Mrs. Hawkins. Detectives were
telegraphed for from New York and the
local authorities set about searching for
clues which might lead to the capture
OF the murderer. No one gave thought
To Asbury Hawkins us the perpetrator
OF the crime until after the news reached
Bay Shore, when Eliphalet Snedeker, a
livery stable keeper, discovered pool
OF blood on the floor OF his carriage
house at the spot wherea buggy used by
Asbury Hawkins, the night before, had
stood, and which had been taken away
again by the young man.
tie stoutly denied any knowledge OF
his mothers murder until the pistol
which he had shot her with was found
in horse pond ut the rear OF Snedeker s
stables, where he had thrown it on his
return with the buggy the night OF the
murder. The evidence against him WIS
completed by the finding OF blood on the
seat and floor OF the buggy and upon
the robes and cushions. The coroner's
inquest resulted in verdict OF murder
against young Hawkins. An hour after
the inquest Hawkins made confession
to the constable in charge Of him. He
said:
THE MuRDERER's CONFESSION.
~ and my mother had frequent quar-.
rels over the young lady, Hattie
Schrieck, whom l had intended marry
ing Sunday. Last Wednesday I drove
over to my mothers with the intention
OF obtaining her consent TO my marriage
or OF putting her out OF the way; but
when arrived there found could not
get her away without others knowing it,
so left without accomplishing my pur-
pose. l was nearly crazy and could not
eat or sleep. ] felt that mother was in
the way OF my happiness and resolved
to go again to SEQ her Saturday night.
That night hired horse and buggy
and went to the house, arriving there
about one o'clock. found mother alone
in the sitting room, the rest OF the fam
lily having gone to bed. / told her
wanted her 10 go out with me so we
could talk the matter over without any
one hearing US. She put on her hat
and cloak and took q seat in the buggy
with me. drove towards my aunts,
Mrs. Smith. After talking little while
we both became excited and my mother
applied vile epithets to Miss Schreick,
which enraged me, and drew the pistol
and shot her in the head. She laid back
in the buggy and groaned. | drove on
towarJs Bay Shore, and finding she was
not yet dead shot her again. shot
her third time on the Brentwood road,
then threw her out into the bushes
where she was found"
From the time OF his arrest, through
out his trial and up to couple of weeks
ago Hawkins displayed an utter indif-
ference to his position and fate, conduct
ing himself in an extraordinary manner
in the Jail. A few days ago Sheriff
Perty discovered plan Of Hawkins and
Rev. Joseph Wilson, the colored
preacher, convicted last week OF an out
rage, to escape, and two files and other
implements were found in Hawkins
possession. 1t is supposed the saws were
smuggled into him by Miss Schrieck,
who was allowed to visit him frequently
and to see him alone.