The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-03
Miss Annie May Abbott Tells
of HancoCk'S Incest.
HER MOTHER CONFIRMS 1T
SUIT WITHDRAWN TO AVOID
HUMILIATION.
VAIN ASSAULT UPON OTHER SISTER
A 81 seding Narration Of Bestial Cunning and
Cruel Lust. The Victim Controlled by
Threats Until the Mother Saw One
Threat, and Heard All.

Threat, and Heard All.
Newbern. \. c., Feb. 2.-(Special.) il
have tonight interviewed Mrs Abbott
and Miss Annie May. Mrs. Abbott says
that she was induced to withdraw the
suit because she I'D not care to subject
herself and Miss Annie May to public
humiliation, and from advice and per-
suasion of close family connections.
Notwithstanding the suit has been with
drawn. Mrs Abbott says that Ham
cocks guilt is true, in detail as hereto
fore published in the News and ObserV-
or. Miss Annie tells me that some time
in April. at the Astor House in New
York. early in the morning, Mr.. Han
cock came into her room and there and
then accomplished his purpose, inducing
her to submit through threats and later
in the day carried her over to visit her
relations in Brooklyn. 1t cam be seen
by the above that the damage was done
carly in the morning, ana 1t IS not at all
surprising that the innocent young girl
should have kept the disgrace a secret.
She further states that he has repeated
ly since their return home insisted upon
a repetition which she has always re-
peIled and only submitted under his
threats of exposure. She states that
she left Hancock's house Monday after
Christmas and went to her mothers, be-
cause she would not submit to his abus-
ing on account of her visiting lady
friend in Newborn. Hancock then de-
nianded her return which she refused,
and he then wrote note to her threat
ening to expose her if she did not re-
turn. Mrs. Abbott seeing this threat,
inquired what it meant and then Annie
revealed the whole situation. Hancock
then demanded that Miss Annie return
to his house for a two weeks stay i'll on
der. as he said, to allow the matter to
blow over. the neighbers knowing that
there had been difficulty. Miss Annie
still absolutely refused. Then Hancock
threatened to- have Mrs. Abbott's
nephew. who was boarding with her
discharged from the railroad shop, and
to have her other daughter, Miss Ger
trude Abbott discharged from her posi-
ton as teacher in the public free school.
They still refused, the nephew was dis
charged from the shops and Miss Ger
trutle was dismissed from the school.
Miss Abbott states that Hancock then
left for Washington City, leaving in the
hands Of his wife two notes. One was
addressed to Mr.. Waters, the master me-
chanic, ordering the nephew's reinstate-
ment; the other was addressed to Mr..
T. A. Green. Chairman of the School
Committee to reinState Miss. Gertrude.
Those notes were to be delivered upon
the return of Miss Annie May Abbott to
Hancock's house. She did not return
and the notes were not delivered.
Since the once Rev. Lumley, the
father of the nephew has been so active
in persuading Mrs. Abbott to stop the
prosecution, the nephew has been REIN
stated in the shops.
/ then interviewed Miss Gertrude Alb
bott. She states that Mr.. Han
cock. her uncle, carried her to
Washington City to see her insane
father. That Hancock took for them
connecting rooms III the st. James Hotel.
This Was early in the fall of 1897. That
the bureau of her room was placed be-
tween two windows, while in her room
Mr.. Hancock came in. He laid his pistol
unon the bureau when he came in.
Afterward. while she was standing at
the window looking out, Hancock came
behind her. made improper proposals,
pulled her down in his lap, and then a
scuffle ensued in which Hancock's face
was considerably scratched. She broke
his hold and grabbed the pistol and drove
him from the room at its point. She
saws that she threatened to kill him
I.r. lxy fc Oh
not carry the threat into execution. Miss
Gert;e Abbott says that when she knew
of his affair with Annie May,
she then said she would beg
bread and starve before her
sister should return to the house of the
grand rascal. Miss Annie May tells me
that she has been as badly wronged by
Hancock as one could be wronged by
another.
Mrs. Abbott has seven children, aged
from four to twenty-five years. The
Oldest boy is less than twelve. She is a
frail delicate woman and without pro-
lection. Her only means of support is
the salary of Miss Gertie and the allot-
ment from the government, on account
of her unfortunate husband, which Mr.
Hancock threatened that he would have
stopped.
Miss Annie May Abbott states that
she had been engaged to young gem
tlenan and has released him from the
engagement.
This is the Abbott family's side Of the
question as given to me tonight. | dc
not doubt the honesty of these parties
/ was particularly impressed with their
candid and honest manner, and any main
who should see and talk with them will
believe them.
II. B. HARDY.
csTNr(s y-nI1 A COn nDnD