The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-06-23
Mr.. HAWKINS EXPLAINS
And Tells How He Was Abused
by Three Strong Women.

The BAzoo reproduces from the
columns of its morning contemporary
the following communication. It
needs to be read to be appreciated
and is a. follows
To the Editor of the Gazette.
l wish to write you q few words
which I hope you will publish in your
widely circulated paper, giving my
version of what occurred at No. 223
Fourth street, Sunday evening.
Yesterday evening l received long
and very lady.like letter from Mics
Frankling, requesting a. favor that
/ would call at the house where she
and her mother are now boarding.
This letter was read by several of my
friends and bv them / was advised to
90 and see what they had to say, hope
ing that some way would be found of
settling the very disagreeab'e case,
which has caused 90 much of a sensa.
ton here.
went to this house alone and was
invited in and offered q seat, and
after some desultory remarks l asked
them what it was they wished to say
to me, said that had suffered con.
siderable annoyance from their com.
ing out to my place of business, aud
that if they didn't quit it I would
leave the city and that they couldn't
prevent me.
Mrs. Franklin said that che and
her daughter also wanted to leave the
city, but that they wanted me to send
them away respectable. On my in
curing how I could do that, I was
told by marrying the young lady. I
replied that was not responsible for
her trouble would not do so and
that that was my final answer, also
that l had other business to attend to
and could not remain any longer.
With thst, Miss Franklin stood
with her back against the front door
and said / could not get out, alec call
ing on the lady of the house, who
then entered the room, to lock the
other door.
/ asked her if was to be detained
against my will, but got no reply,
Then Miss Franklin moved from her
station at the front door and 1 started
for it, but was sliced from behind by
the three women, who cried out that
l would not leave the house alive un-
less married the young lady. See.
ing that I was in danger, pulled the
door open and started out, with the
three Of them clinging behind me in
such manner as prevented me from
useing my hands. When 1 got to the
veranda my coat had parted and half
was left behind also my hat, which |
the younger lady snatched of my
head after I had gained the verands. |
l left there and shortly after heard
that q warrant bad been issued for my
arrest for assaulting Mrs. franklin,
who all the time was behind me and
in such a position that I could not |
strike her if would.
l have given bonds for my appear.
ance and am prepared to answer any
and all charges they may bring |
against me. The letter of invitation
I received to call on them unfortu-
nately remained in the pocket of the |
half of my coat which was left in
their possession. Doubtless they are
glad Of that, as it was compromising,
and if published would place differ
ent face on some matters now before |
the public.
1 hope that you will publish this as |
l have never made any previous state
ment. By doing SO you will Euch |
oblige, yours respectfully,
JOHN HAWKINS.
The BAzoo wishes to call attention
to a few discrepancies in Mr.. John
Hawkins "verson of what occurred
Sunday evening.
He first Gays, this nice manly John
Hawkins, that he received Gladly
like letter" from Miss Franklin but
instead of treating the ladylike letter,
in gentlemanlike manner; he shows
it to Several of his friends" the
"spook aunt" among the number, and
without using his own judgment in
the matter he takes their advice
probably interspersed with their ad-
monitions-to 'not yield an inch
and goes to see "what they
had to say" Now Mr.. John Haw-
kins. of Canada, probably knew what
the "girl he left behind him" and her
gray haired mother would say. He
probably thought, innocent Mr.. Haw-
kins, that these two poor. foolish
women who had travelled all the way
from Toronto for recreation and pleas
ure, would say they were delighted to
see him and then would discnss the