The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-25
He MET HIS MATCH.
The Plucky Victim Of Attempted
Blackmail.
a Policeman Is Accused Of Trying to Obtain
Money by Placing Young Girls
Character at Sake.

Policeman John f. Hawkins, whose beat
has been on Van Ness avenue for many
months, has rendered his resignation to the
Police Commissioners, but it will not be
accepted. He is accused OF attempted
blackmail, and if it is ascertained that the
charges are founded on facts Hawkins
will be dismissed from the force and if
possible punished.
He may be fortunate enough to escape
criminal prosecution, as one policeman
who blackmailed girls was, and like this
latter ex-officer lie may wear special
badge for some time to come.
Last Saturday week there appeared in r
weekly sporting paper published in this
city several paragraphs on the alleged
escapades of three young Sacramento girls
who visited here and had a lively time
around the resorts patronized by those who
have but little regard for their character.
The names were withheld, but one Of the
girls was referred to as Lulu G., and
there were not few in Sacramento who
recognized the abbreviati0n. When the
paper reached the capital city quite a SUR
was created among those who were ac-
Quainted with Lulu G.. who is the
daughter of a well-knOwn merchant there.
limitations of ito be continued in our
next" were added to these paragraphs The
paper in question reached Sacramento and
caused stir in that city, but the scurrilous
matter was kept as quiet as possible by the
young lady's friends
AT SACRAMENTO.
Hawkins received his annual leave of
absence of four days last week aud went to
Sacramento to kill two birds with the one
stone-So the story gOes-tO get money by
blackmal and to have a good time out of
town. He had evidently read the filthy
paragraphs and undertook to turn the mat
ter to his personal advantage. Whether he
furnished the supposed facts to the weekly
sheet cannot be ascertained at present, but
people who were partially let into the secret
state that Hawkins furnished the Informal
ton that led to the writing of the para
graphs, as he had on former occasions. 1t
is alleged that Hawkins, taking advantage
of his position as an officer, secured in
formation that not only furnished so-caled
sensations for the sheet in question, but
which also brought considerable coin to
him and its proprietor.
Hawkins, it is said, sent a note to the
young lady, announcing that lie was in Sac
ramento, and iutimating that she would be
sorry If she did not meet him at certain
hour at a resort short distance from her
home, Lulu, fearing the worst, went to
the place and, it is said, there met Hawkins,
who represented himself as a detective
from this city. He told her that he was in
possession Of all the facts connected with
her eScapade, and that unless she made it
worth while for him to remain silent there
would be other stories published and the
matter brought to the attention of her
father.
SHE DEFIES HIM.
The girl said she would write to Chief
Crowley and also inform her father She
was wild with indignation, and instead of
quietly submitting to his demands, declared
she would soon know why ne dared at
tempt blackmail if he was detective.
The young woman's wrath emboldened
her, and she dashed him with whitening in
vective until his mean spirit WINGED with
shame. lie begged her TO remain silent and
he would never mention a word about the
affair. She left him in disgust and loath-
ing and hurried to her friends for counsel
and comfort. Hawkins returned without
delay to this city. and with similar dispatch
left his resignation on Chief Crowley's
table. Ii is believed that he has since left
the city.
Lulu's friends notified the Chief who, yes
terday morning, dispatched Sergeant Witt
man to Sacramento TO make an investiga-
ton.
Hawkins denied that there was any truth
in the charges against him, and appeared
highly indignant, so much so that he re-
signed from the police force.
he had been on the force for only two
years, but during that time had been fire.
quently reprimanded by his Sergeants aad
superiors for meddlesome conduct.