The times., 1897-09-06

Thomas varick Hawkins, the absoond-
ing negro messenger in the office of the
District tax collector, has been captured.
and is now held in Toronto. Canada.
The arrest took place late Saturday
night, and early yesterday morning a tele-
gram was received at police headquarters
from Chief Constable II j. Grossit, of
Toronto, informing Major Moore and In
spector Mattingly of the capture.
When taken into custody $S,33S of the
stolen maney was found in his possession, out
of the SS,635 which he took from the safe
i'll Tax Collector Davis office.
During thief five days since he left Washing
ton HaW kins had heeu rather liberal in his
expenditures, and had spent about $500
OF tie money. when arrested the negro
made no attempt TO deny his identity, and
expressed his Willingness to return without
eXtradtion papers.
The capture Of Hawkins was a source OF
much gFd tffication to Inspector MattingIy
and the detective force. Immedia tely alter
the robbery was made known the fact and
d complete description of the man We're
cent 10 all tie principal cities and towns in
tie U,;ited States asking the police 10 look
out for the man.
Detective Heian was assigned to work
the IDcaI end Of the case, and in this mat
Ter he was assisted by Detectives V eFdoli
and Lacy They learned that Hawkins had
TeIa tiyes in Canada. and after discussing
and IheeTiZing upon the matter it was de-
cided T. send tin, description Of Hawkins
10 all he cities OF Canada. II was this fact
that led 70 the arrest of the negro.
When the message reached Toronto and
was read out to the members OF the police
force nf that city, one keen officer recol-
| lected that a new arrival at his boarding
house, in the person OF a yellow niulatto
with one eye, answered the description
! of the man wanted in Washington. On
! going to his home he took a second Ioob,
/ carefully at the negro, and decided to
! place him under arrest, after satisfyin g
himself that he was the person wanted.
1t was Haw kins.
Upon receipt OF the telegram yesterday
morning. Inspector Mattingly at once wired
! Constable Grosset TO hold the prisoner. aud
; that an officer would be sent TO bring
! him back. Accordingly, Detective Helan
left for Toronto yesterday, and Will reach
there tonight.
Should Hawkins volunteer to return at
once without exercising his legal right
/ to demand extradition papers, Detective
! Hclan VIII bring the prisoner here without
delay, ind by that means VIII reach here
| probably Wednesday night.
ON the other hand, should Haw kiDs de-
| eide 10 fight, it viii doubtless be some
! time before he Is brought TO JUSTICE here
! 1t s believed, however, that he Win Will
inglY return.
! The reward OF $500 offered for the zap
tlie Of hawkins viii be paid over al once
upon the turning over of the prisoner TO
/ the local authorities, and win doubtless
! 20 to tie Toronto policeman who was
fortunate CROUCH To make the arrest
MIS- Hawkins, when seen yesterday by
/ Times reporter, stated that she had been
/ advised Of her husbands arrest in Toronto
/ but decla redtha she had no previous knowl-
/ edge OF his whereabouts. She refused to
make any further statements concerning
the arrest.
] The prompt capture OF the thief was
! the absorbing topic in police circles yes
terday and Tax Collector Davis was much
gratified at the fact that nearly all ofthe
stolen money was recovered, which means
that he viii have to stand loss ol
but 2 little over $780,
L. If regarded as doubtful If anything
more than grand larceny can be madt
ont of Haw kins case, and the maximum
penalty upon conviction is but three years
50 that had Hawl;ias concealed his plundeI
he might have made S3 900 ii year BY
| serving the maximum penalty in jail.
It is believed that on the night of the
robbery lIawkins boarded a train for Buff
falo, and was nearing the Canadian border
4 { the sime when Cashier ChambeTlin made
the discovery OF the loss.