The times., 1897-03-26
PUT ARSENIC IN THE PIE
Young Professor Hopkins At
tempted to Murder His Father.
MADE THE DOSE TOO LARGE
Professor Is Ten Years Old and
Thought 1t Would Be Nice to
Have His Fathers Money to Spend,
and Consequently Tried to Get
Hin Out of the Way.

In the hopes of coming into quick pos
session OF his parents wealth Professor
Hopkins, Il bright ten year-old colored boy,
attempted to poison his father, William NJ
Hopkins, by placing a teaspoonful of
arsenic in sweet potato pie. The lad
administered too large a dose, and his
father recovered. Professor is now locked
up in the Fourth precinct sta tion-house
charged with assault with intent to kill
George Digs, colored, twenty years old,
is also locked up in the same station
charged as accessory in the crime.
Hopkins is a prosperous and weil-to-do
grocer and possessed of some wealth. He
keeps grocery store at No 200 Four and-d-
half street southwest, and up to about two
weeks ago Diggs was employed 10y him as
clerk. For some offense he was dis
charged, and IS said then TO have vowed
vengeance upon the grocer.
Last Friday Hopkins, who is wido wer,
asked his housekeeper to make large
sweet potato pie for dinner at noon. The
pie was made in a large pan, and u goodly
portion was left for the evening meal.
Little Professor partook copiOusly of the
dCliCacy at noon, but did not care to eat
pie at supper time, as lie said he feared
he would not sleep we'll if he ate too much
Nothing was thought Of this, however, and
the remainder of the family consisting
OF Hopkins, his daughter aud housekeeper,
INDUCED heartily.
In a short time all were taken violently
i'll, and it was found necessary to summon
physician in great haste. Each of the
patients displayed symptoms of arsenic
poisoning. but the cause could not be as
ccrtained. Mr.. Hopkins case was worse
than the others, and his condition was
considered serious for several days, but
finally recovered.
Yesterday afternoon in tTansaCtng some
business with Dr. Woodward, who keeps a
drug store across the street, he was CON
froated with a bill for / . cents worth OF
arsenic. The clerk explained that it mad
been purchased several days before by
MS son, who represented that his father
wanted the poison to Kill rats.
At first the boy called for rough
on rats, but that not being in
stock. he asked for arsenic. which
he said would answer the purpose just
as wen. IL lutil dpptdlei tItdi 10 JHt
grocer that his recent illness had
been caused by his son, and when the
little fellow was severely questioned upon
the subject under threats of dire punish
-pNNt he Admitted the whole affair.
He said he had gone to the pantry
after dinner and placed q teaspoonful of
the poison in the pie, and then stirred
it so as TO mix it thoroughly lie said
had done so thinking that if his father
died he would get all his money, and
could then have a good time spending it
He also stated that Diggs had induced
him to commit the deed, and had told
him that all his fathers property would
fall to him if the old man was only out
of the way. Diggs was employed at a
pharmacy prior to the time he worked
for Hopkins, and consequently knew some
thing OF the kinds and nature of poisonS.
He stoutly denies any connection with the
crime. Professor told the police an inter
csting story of the whole affair He said
he was clmiStened professor" in Georgia,
and had always been known by that
name.
Hopkins is well known in South Wash
ington, where he has been in business
for several years, and is one of the lead
ing colored men in that section of the
city.