PARKER TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1927, Page 2

PARKER TRAGEDY

HICKMAN’S WORRIES. NEW YORK, Dec. 23

Hickman told the guard ho had two worries: First, he was afraid he would not get as much publicity as Leopold Loeb ; tlie second that someone “ will try to force religion on me.” He asked the guard how the pajiers vein treating his arrest, and how many extra editions were published in Los Angeles. Rev. W. 11. Roblins, pastor of the local Baptist Church, was brought in to Hickman, who said: "I do ,lot want prayers now. I needed that before. I would leel hypocrite ii I used religion before I die.” He also told the guard that ho believed God s vengeance and not man’s cunning was the cause of his capture, but before lie died lie wanted to see Perry Parker face to face and make him die. “ 1 think what l have done will black Jesse James off tfie map.” He seemed proud of the death letters lie wrote to Parker and said :“ They were a good piece of literature.” Hickman continued to protest that Cramer was the actual murderer.

A crowd of thousands about the gaol arc quite orderly.

ALLEGED ACCOM BLUE. NEW YORK. Dec. 23. The man whom Hickman described as the actual murderer of Marion Barker has been in gaol since August. When confronted with this iact Hickman said that bis crony must have assumed a false name. He then continued to* describe the persons as having been in trouble with the authorities before. However, the man whom he accused of being the murderer said that he knew Hickman, bill since lie was in prison at the time of the murder it was impossible that he could he guilty of tbe crime. Hickman, after twenty-four hours’ “grilling.” continued to deny bis guilt of tbe nvurder. PRISONER HYSTERICAL NEW YORK. Dee. 2*l. A message from Los Angeles says that the prosecuting attorney questioned Hickman at Pendleton Gaol to-day. The prisoner had several fits of hysterics. muttering: ‘‘Oh God! Oh, God! ” Later Hickman issued a statement to the youth of America, warning them against crime. •‘‘l hope I do some good by giving you this warning. Think it over and see my mistake. Be upright and honest, and respect the law.” lie concluded.

Detectives discovered the fingerprints of a woman in the room where Marlon Barker was held captive.

ATTEMPTS AT SUICIDE. NEW YORK, Dec, 23. At Pendleton, Hickman made two attempts to kill himself to-day. First lie tried to strangle himself with a knotted handkerchief, and when lie was intercepted by the guard he tried to dive from his hunk, to dash his bond on the concrete floor. He had been in a state of lethargy for many hours previously. When arousing himself he tore a Bible to pieces, scattered the pages on the floor, and then attempted suicide. Hickman lias been taken hack to Les Angeles, leaving Pendleton late this afternoon. A huge crowd surrounded the railway station. HICK-MAN CONFESSES. " SAN FRANCISCO, Dee. 26. A message from Woodland states that Hickman confessed that ho killed Marion Parker, without an accomplice, according to the detectives taking im to Los Angeles.