Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-12
Alexanoria Gazettt.
TUESDAY EVENING. DEC. u, 1906.
chareed wien TxtOrting Money.

Three warrants charging biackmsil
were sworn out in Charlottesville yesttr.
dav AZ The result of the suicide of Rob
ert d. Ballantne, the young millionaire
University Of Virginia student, at New
ark Saturday night. John 5. Hawkins,
a re,ormed sporting man who recently
has heeu a devOut and active assistant
10 eyangeli.ts in revival work, was az
rested Yesterday morning, accused oil ex-
torling money from BsllaDiine. The
other warrants are for f. B. Duncan
and Henry Niche, whose whereabouts
are unknown. Hawkins was admitted
70 bail in the sum of 81, 900, with Mrs.
III, mas Wood, said to be a Dowie con-
YER as sur ty. ,
Yesterday morning Hawkins talked
quite freely of his connection with the
charges involving degeneracy up the
part of BallaDtinc He did not deny
that while drinking with Ballantine and
under the influence of liquor he, at Bal
lanlioe's solicitation, had retired to a
room with the latter and bad been seen
there by Duncan and Niche, the other
accused men. Duncan and Niche, he
said, did approach him on various oc-
cssions within the following week, re-
ouesting him TO confirm The truth OF
their charge, which he always refused
to do, but, he said, they got money
nevertheless. Hawkins insists that he
had not received and had never expect
ed TO receive cent.
Hawkins is a native of Charlottesville,
and there the most OF his life has been
spent. His early Yeas were marked by
overzeal as a sporting man, but ne was
converted under the preaching OF Evan
geIist William P. Fife, aud became an
active assistant of that and other evan
gelists, 10 many large revivals. de
later embarked in the insurance business
with considerable success, finding many
helpful friends among those who had
known OF his reformation.
ia some recent months, however, be
had returned, it is said, to some of his
former habits, and be freely admits that
he was frequenting The bars and drink
ing with BallantiDe.
The belief is that while Ballantine
was often moody and respondent, and
had at least on one former occasion. 1t is
reported. attempted to end his life, the
fear that shameful story would reach
his family was the moving cause IN his
calf destruction RaliantinP while weak
and much given to convivisl habits, wss
popular, and of mental qualities to COM
mand respect. He was very generous,
very many times perhaps unwisely, and
this trait gives some color of truth 10
the stories ahoat as to his disposition OF
his property.
1t is reported that Bal'antine made a
will about eighteen months ago in which
he left edge Hill" the famous Ran
dolph home, including the furniture,
stock, vehicles. &C., to his friend, George
Mason, of Albemarle county. The will
is in the possession OF Louis T. Hanckel,
a prominent attorney of Charlottesville,
who refuses to deny or confirm the state
ment.
Another story that is current is to the
effect that Baliantine's dependency was
due in part 10 his rejection by a we'll
known young lady in Charlottesville, to
whom be paid persistent court. She is
alleged to have refused his offer of mar
rage on account Of his dissipation.