Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-06
Hawkins Changes His Mind and Will
Fight Extradition.
BE HAS SECURED LEGAL COUNSEL
Mr. Davis Laughs at Attempted
Incrimination of Deputy Collector.
L 81 E n E w S H E r E

TORONTO, Ont, September 6.-Thomas
Hawkins, the much-wanted negro porter,
who left the office of the collector of
customs at Washington $1,000 short is in
the tolls here, and is sorry he left Wash
ington. and still more sorry at the prospect
of returning.
He was reported last night to be quite
willing to waive extradition and go back,
but he has changed his mind He has en-
gagged Mr.. T. c. Robinette, a prominent
young criminal lawyer here, and will fight.
He puts forth line of defense which is
an ugly charge against the deputy COL
leotor of taxes, saying that he took the
wad of bills off to help the latter, who was
short and about to flee himself.
From the first he has asserted there was
more than one in it. Detective Phelan of
Washington has arrived here and Is at the
Elliott House awaiting the arrival of the
collector of taxes, who is expected hourly.
Hawkins seems to have arrived in the
city Wednesday, and on that evening he
took the room at 81 Bond street which
proved trap to him. Chief Young of
Niagara Falls traced him there, up to the
moment of his taking the 2:2U pm. train
for Toronto, and wired particulars here.
The description was read to the police
men on duty, and Probationer McColl. who
happens to board at 81 Bond street, recog-
nized the new arrival. He told Detective
Slemin, and the two on Saturday evening
called on the negro, who was found quiet
ly sitting in his room.
Submitted Without n Struggle.
He submitted without struggle, though
a loaded revolver was found in his ROOM
He denied being Hawkins, saying his
name was Stewart. But Slemin laid his
hands on his valise, a small, neat affair, of
a subdued, fashionable greenish tint and
in it was found package upon package of
bills Then he weakened. ayes, I'm Haw-
kins,' he said, but there are more than
me in this"
Down the station they counted the bills,
which were in all denominations. They
amounted to S,33S. Hawkins was amazed
when they told him of the haul he had
made
MY God.' he said, eff 1 had known
had as much money as that on me I'd have
gone crazy" He then professed willing
Eess TO go back without giving trouble,
and Washington authorities were wired.
Over Sunday, however, he appears to have
done some thinking, and this morning he
was closeted with Mr.. Robinette. who an
nounces that they will fight extradition.
His story is curious one. Only three per-
sens. he says. knew the combination of the
safe-the collector, deputy collector and the
cashier
deputy, who had been there seven years.
was short in his account. Out of friend
ship for him. Hawkins says, he agreed to
flee. taking the money.
The two were to meet in Toronto. Haw-
kins says, further that the deputy took
him to the safe and with his own hands
took the money end gave 1t to him, telling
him to get out.
That will be his line of Defense but in
any event he can be reached for bringing
stolen property into the country Hawkins,
who is a rather surly looking fellow evinoes
great dread of going back. They'll lynch
me. sure" he said today; down there a
negro's word will never be taken against
white MANS"
He is in the county Jail awaiting events.
Ridiculed by Collector Davis.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y, September g.
Collector Davis laughted heartily when in
formed of the probable defense which
Hawkins intended to make. He rtdiculed
Hawkins alleged complication of Deputy
Collector Collins. It is believed now Hawk
ins did not know the combination, but
closed the safe and did not lock it. When
all the clerks had gone, it was an easy
matter to open the safe and make away
with the money.
Gateman Walker at the Baltimore and
Potomac station last night said before the
train left he remembered Hawkins, and
that he left on the 1879 train for the north.
That Hawkins asked him about the Can
adian connection, and when he told him
that train did not connect, but laid over
in Elmira, he remarked it made no differ
ence. Had this conversation been given
to the detectives the next day the GRIM
iral might have been appreherded before
he left Elmira.