The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-11-18
HAWKINS
Trial Before Judge
DebaillOn-TeStim Of the
Two Negroes u Genuine
Surprise.

and larceny, took place befor,
Judge Debaillon Thursday morning
Hankins was represented by DaviC
Todd, Esq, of New Iberia, anc
Col. Breaux, of the local bar
District ATTORNEY Gordy conducted
the prosecution.
Quite large number of people
were present. The SPORT. frater,
nifty was there in full force.
Hankins has many sympa.hizers
among that class who have evil
IDENTITY interested themselves in his
behalf. Many Of them came over
from New Iberia to attend the trial.
The first witness called was Mr.
A. B. Denbo, whose house was en-
tered in the night OF the cath of
April last. Mr.. Denbo stated the
burglars had made their entrance
through a window. He said that
the jewelry and the cash stolen
amounted to some 5000.
Mr. A. NJ. Martin was the next
witness called. He SAID that his
house was burglarized on the same
night. gold watch was stolen
MIR. Martin said that the burglars
entered through a window which
was forced open.
Mr.. Il. NJ. Biossat was called.
He said several attempts we're made
by burglars to get into his house.
One night che attempt was success
full n carving knife was stolen.
1t was shown that the knife which
was taken from Mr.. Biossat's was
left in Mr.. Caffery's house which
was subsequently. entered. Some
clothes which were stolen from Mr..
Caffery's were found in the pos
session of Louis Dazin, the half
breed, proved to be the clue which
led to the arrests.
Mr.. G. D. Caffery testified to the
fact that his house was burglarized
and told of the knife found the mex:
morning and the missing coats
Louis Dazin, alias Indian Ben,
was sworn. Dazin is one of the
negroes arrested last October The
day Of his arrest he made full
confession duplicating Hankins in
the bur laries. Thursday when he
was put in the witness chair he de-
MED having participated in the
crimes and of having ever met
II anki' before their arrests. He
said that he made confession, but
claimed that he was scared by |
threats and did not tell the truth ut
the time. Dazin gave positive
to his statements |
voluntarily made to the officers ,
when he was arrested. He said he |
know nothing of the crimes with
which he was charged and did not
knew Hankins at all. He stated
that all he said in his confession
we're lies.
Jim Bailey, the little black negro,
every one who had looked
Upon him as sort of unoffendlng
IDIOT. Jim badly protested his in
nocence and incidentally mentioned
he fact that he was as guiltless as
any man in Lafayette. He said he
lad not spoken Of the crime to
any one and had made no confession
% Sheriff Broussard and Marshal
Peck. Although under the hot fire
Of Mr.. Gordy's cross examination
he stubbornly insisted that he bad
lever confessed his guilt and had
lever known Hanklns.
Mr.. A. M. Martin was recalled.
He said that he talked to the ne
'roes the day they were arrested.
They made free and voluntary
confession to the effect that they,
With the assistance Of Hankins, had
inferred his house and stolen the
,old watch and SINE money. One ,
If the negroes said that Hankins ;
lad taken the watch and that while ,
hey were in the house Hankins ,
TODD at the window with a revolver .
n hand ,
Alphonse Peck, the city marshal, r
'as the next witness. He said that {
)azin was arrested on charge. of !;