The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-11
A SUIT NOW PENDING IN COURT
FOR $4,000 DAMAGES. !
NEwBERN ABLAZE WITH INDIGNATION
Hancock Denies The Charge, And Returns
To Newbern on Special Train To
Face His kccuser--There Are
Threats Of Violence.

Sunday morning the News and Obser-
yer gave another evidence of the fact
that it can always be relied on to print
the news while it is news.
Of all the papers in the State it was
the first to tell of the trouble into which
President Robert Hancock, of the At
lantie and North Carolina Railroad has
fallen.
And a terrible story it is.
Scarcely anything else has been talked
of on the streets since. Hancock is
well known here. He was a member of
the last Legislature and since then he
has brought his niece here with him
several times.
These facts, and the further fact that
his present position gives him both
political and financial prominence,
caused the publication Of the charges
against him to create the greatest of
sensations.
1t seems to be the general opinion
that Hancock is a guilty man, and.
some very strong terms are being used
as to the punishment that ought to be
visited upon him in case he is proved
guilty.
In addition to the fact that Hancock
took his niece alone with him to New
York, to Washington, TO Morganton and
other points in the west, to Raleigh
several times and perhaps to other
places, it is limited that he has once or
twice before been the central figure in
other affairs somewhat of a similar kind
lie has engaged Simmons, Ward and
Pou as attorneys, and, it is understood
will deny the rape-whether or not he
will admit the seduction has not been
learned.
In case the charges are found to be
true, / am informed, that Governor
Russell will at once remove Hancock
from the presidency of the railroad.
The Governor is very sore over the
affair; and well he may be, for this is
the sixth revolving social scandal that
has characterized his administration. 1t
is. getting such a reputation that it is
beginning to smell too loud even for
Republicans.
And this last is the greatest and most
revolving Of them all.
For the good name of North Carolina
and OF mankind in general let US hope
1t is not true.
Hancock is a man of perhaps frfty-
FIVE. slightly gray, and has grandchli-
dren. Miss Abbott is in her seventeenth
year. and quite good looking.
Here are three letters received IN TINS
office, giving the particulars OF pne al
fair. For obvious reasons the names
are not printed:
THE FIRST LETTER.
The following letter was received from
a well-known citizen Saturday after
noon, but we held it until to day to
await fuller corroboration:
''Newbern, N. c., Jan. s, 1898.
s"Ehis community is ablaze. The
Indignation of it's people has never been
so much enraged. President Robert
Hancock, of the Atlantic and North Car
DINA Railroad, took his wife's niece,
Miss Anna Abbott, to New York on a
pleasure trip and while there one night
he came in her room and forced her y
She says he told her if she did not let
him have his way, etc, he would leave
her penniless in New York and not
take her back to Newbern After he
and she returned to Newbern on several
occasions he again forced her with him
by threats of death A writ has been
issued out Of the Superior court by the
girl and her father, suing Hancock for
$4,000 damages for seduction.
Tt is probable he will be indicted for
rape. Hancock is in Washington city
Al thia time. II 70 the unanimous oDin-