The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, September 16, 1894
pg. 6

A SATURDAY NIGHT ROW
Saturday night about 12 o'clock a Negro man, Dora Hawkins by name, shot and killed another Negro by the name of John Howard, the shooting taking place near the Leeper lumber office, corner of Austin avenue and Crawford street.  Hawkins is probably 21 or 22 years of age and has been employed at the George Braun restaurant at 107 East Main street.  Howard was a general roust-a-bout at one of the Skiddy street bagnios.  The row came up over a Negor woman from the Taylortown district.  After the shooting Hawkins skipped out, but was captured at an early hour Sunday morning by Officer James.  He was given a preliminary hearing Monday morning before Justice Hughes and was bound over to the grand jury in two cases, one for carrying a pistol, the other for murder.  Bond was fixed at $150 in the pistol case and at $300 for the shooting.  The bond was easily made and Hawkins was given his liberty.
Giles St. Clair was given a hearing in the city court before Judge Moreland Monday morning on a charge of assault.  The testimony deducted here was practically the same as that give in Judge Hughes' court.  The defendant was fined $100 with $8 cost and was sent to the rock pile to serve out the sentence.
Howard's story, in substance, is about as follows:
Howard and I have been paying attention for some time to the same girl and trouble had been brewing several weeks.  Saturday night I went with the girl to a party.  On our way home I was assaulted by Howard and St. Clair.  They followed us to the home of the girl and again they attempted to fight me.  Howard repeatedly threatened to knock out my brains. The girl thought that they intended killing me and she accompanied me to the home of a friend.  On the way Howard accosted me and attempted to knock me down with a rock.  We returned to the home of the girl and I started to my home.  At the corner of Crawford street and Austin avenue Howard came at me with a rock in his hand when I drew my pistol and shot him."  This statement in Judge Hughes' court was corroborated by St. Clair, and by the girl up to the time of her separation from Hawkins.
Hawkins submitted his side of the case to the court without examination of witnesses on his behalf.  Attorney A.B. Person represented the defendant, J.H. Randell, the state.  By agreement of the attorneys the bonds were set as stated above.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, September 16, 1894
pg. 5

LOCAL CONDENSATIONS
Sunday, September 9
A Negro man by the name of Dora Hawkins shot and instantly killed John Howard, another Negro, last night at the corner of Austin avenue and Crawford street.

Monday, September 10
The examining trial of Dora Hawkins, col., was held this morning in the city hall and not less than 150 Negroes were in attendance.  Judge W.J. Hughes presided.