The Chicago whip. (Chicago, Ill.) 1919-19??, 1919-08-21

Watkins, 55, white, in Railroad avenue
Tuesday night led the police to search
for Tommy Hamilton, colored barber,
1906 Railroad avenue, who it is alleged
had an uncanny control over the woman.
Hamilton, it is said, for the past seven
years has maintained an influence over
the white woman, causing her to obey
his every wish.
He had Mrs. Watkins under such con-
troll that she would visit him at any
hour of the night, if he so desired, and
would wait on the street corners for
him for hours in order to catch a glimpse
of him.
She took out life insurance, naming
him as beneficiary. Wrote and tele-
phoned him assiduously. Making use of
special delivery stamps on her letters.
She always wanted to know if he was
feeling well and if in good spirits. 1t is
said that when he was in game of
chance he would run her away from
him, telling her that he did not want to
be disturbed.
Tuesday night he had an appointment
with her at the Davis Street station.
The hour was 1920. Hamilton stated
that ON account of being drunk he failed
to meet her. More than 300 empty
whisky bottles were found on the prem
Uses where Tom lives.
Tom says that he was in bed at eleven
o CLOCK and that he had not seen Mrs.
Watkins that night.
Mrs. Watkins, it is claimed, was killed
at approximately Has. The scene was
ON Railroad avenue, less than two blocks
from Tom S residence. Witnesses say
she appeared to be running from the
direction of Toms home toward the
station.
Many of Tom S pals state that Ham
ilton' story is untrue.
They say they were with him at in
tervals up to the hour of the murder.
He was drunk. He had Dragged of his
engagement with Mrs. Watkins.
He left them about this time, then
reappeared near Mason s restaurant on
Main street. When a cabman saw him
he was in bad shape, leaning against
pillar. He was put in a cab and driven
home shortly after 11:35.
The driver claimed they went past the
spot where crowd surrounded the body
of the slain woman. The driver wanted
to stop, but Tom insisted that they go
on. The driver let Tom off at his home,
then returned to find out why the crowd
had assembled.
"a Tfstr1estbs l.sass P.~ufhe above evi-
dence. fralnTTtton does not seem to be
much wrought up over the killing, but
he insists that the mystery of the MUIR
der be cleared.
Mrs. Watkins daughter, Mrs. Trent,
1888 Heath avenue, when informed of
the death of her mother, advanced the
theory that the murder was the outcome
of revenge of a jealous rival for the
affections of Hamilton, who had been
seen with Tom on many occasions.
The authorities, after entering Hamil
ton s home and taking him into custody,
searched his effects and found many let
tiers from the woman to Hamilton under
different dates. The following letters
were found:
Among the earliest of the letters ad-
dressed to the Negro by Mrs. Watkins
is one dated February, 1915, in which
she wrote:
''Thank you for your splendid letter.
I will have to disappoint you tempo
rarily about the money. 1t s hell to be
poor.
81 will get over to see you Monday
at o o'clock. Be waiting for me, for I
want to ask your advice about many
things and to give you the money which
I wish I might give you today. Don It
disappoint me. Good night and God
bless you.
In letter of September 81, 1918, Mrs.
Watkins wrote:
81 was simply stunned last night
Wnen reaHZeu thdt couiu hoI SoiiO
out to see you. What must you have
thoughts What did you do? Don't be
angry with me or send me angry letters,
for I will come out Tuesday at 9, just
as sure as / am alive
Helpless without Him.
A letter dated March 81, 1918, reads:
"Today did not get letter from
YOU and | am walking around just like
child, not knowing what to do about
anything. You always tell me just what
to do and 1 feel so helpless when l do
not have your advice or have you near