Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-15

AT the fourth precinct police station In South
Washington this morning there was living on q
stretcher near the cell room the dead body of
young colored woman named Cora Hawkins.
gaping knife wound in her breast. almost di-
rectly over her heart, which wound. il Is alleged
had been inflicted by her husband. BENJAMIN
Hawkins, who was croushing in cell within
few feet Of the bloody remains of his victim.
He is about thirty years old His wife was
year or two younger. She was good looking
yellow woman with redundant mass of glossy
black hair. The prisoner has been employed
as driver for johnson Brothers, coal dealers,
and has always been hard-working man. ten
years ago he and Cora were married. They
lived happily together until about q year
ago, when, it Is said. she began to re-
celve the attentions of another man. She
was fond of going to pic-nics, balls, parties and
parlor socials, but her husband did notcare for
social pleasures, because he had to work hard
for living and needed rest. He was informed
that Cora was being visited by a young man
named Chas. Walker who the prisoner ac-
cuses Of being responsible for his present con-
dition. Last summer Ben and Cora had q
quarrel on the street, and were quieted by q
policeman. Soon afterward
THEY SEPARATED.
Ben went to live in Diapers alley, while
Cora went to q house on X street in South Wash,
ington. Since their separation they have
called to see each other number Of times, but
Ben had lost all hope of eyer again persuading
Cora to return to his home. Last night Ben
went to the house Of his sister-in-law, Mrs.,
..parlor social was to be given there
last night and he expected to see his
wife there. She was not there when he called
and he left to 20 to her home, No. III K street.
When When he arrived there she had just left the
mouse. He then remained in South Washing
ton until nearly IL o'clock. He visited several
places and had drinks Then he returned to
the ''parlor social" where he met Cora. She
was engaged in a dance at the time, but when
he said:
''coRA, I WANT YoU,"
she broke up the set and went over to converse
with her husband.
what do you want, Benz" she asked.
A conversation, which was not heard by the
Others took place and Cora put on her hat
and left the house. From there they went to
a saloon on AZ street. where they had drinks.
They remained in the saloon but few minutes
and then they retraced their steps toward the
house where the ''parlor social' was in prog
ress. They never reached the house. What
passed between them is not known, Tor there
were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy. They
were passing through an alley near the house
ana stopped to settle some difference between
them, when the husband, it is supposed, dealt
his wife
THE DEATH BLOW.
She screamed for help, but before assist
ance reached her she was unconscious. The
wound inflicted was a fatal one. Her cries were
answered by persons in the neighborhood, who
found her lying beside telegraph pole in the
alley. She was fast bleeding to death, and in
q few moments she was lying in a pool of
blood. A policeman was soon upon the scene
and he had the woman taken on q stretcher to
the station, where she expired in a few min
utes. The next thing to do was to find the al
legged murderer: He had not been seen since
he left the saloon. Policeman Chamberlain
and Rinch went to Diapers alley, between B
and c, 18th and 14th streets, and called at the
house where Hawkins had been living.
THE ARREST OF HAWKINS.
When the officers entered the house they saw
nothing to indicate that the murderer was
there, but weeping colored woman convinced
them that the sad news had already reached
the house. HE has not been here" said the
woman when questioned by the officers, but be-
fore she had finished Hawkins entered the
room and said: 'Yes, am here" He submit
ted quietly to arrest and accompanied the Off
GERS to the station. He had but little to say to
the officers, denying the charge that he inflicted
the fatal wound He admitted having trouble
with his wife and said that he slapped her, but
did not stab her. When he arrived at the sta
uoh nc wcdhcucu at tut slBut OI the OeaO wO-
man and looked as though he would have
fallen had there not been a brick wall near
him.
THE PRISONERS srArEMMSr.
This morning the prisoner changed his state
ment He no longer denied his guilt, but
talked freely of his marital troubles when
questioned by a STAR reporter 'sTen years
ago." he said, II married Cora and have
worked hard for her ever since. l never
allowed her to go out in service or do work Of
any kind except about our own home. She
always wanted to be going to balls and 'parlor
socials, and often remained out until after
midnight Then she went with Charlie Walker.
My happiness then soon ended. 1 talked to
her and warned Walker, but she continued to
60 with him, and when we separated she went
to live with him on X street. We called to see
each other several times, and she made an en-
gagement to meet me last night I
went to her sisters house, and not find
ing her there / went to the house
where she lived with Walker. learned that
she had gone to the 'parlor social and later in
the night called there to see her. She was
there, and We went out and had drinks. When
we left we went out the front door, but while
returning she said she wanted to 60 in the back
way, because she did not want Walker to see
me. objected, and while in the alley we had
the trouble. took from my pocket knife
italian. After using the knife 1 threw it over
the fence next to the car track and went home.
/ did not intend to make an effort to escape, I
am only sorry that 1 did not kill Walker in
stead of my wife. There was no use Of my run
ming away. know when you do murder that
you will have to go yourself"