The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06
The Romance OF Crlme.-The Suspected Muir.

dorer Parks.
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, May II.
Our readers have doubtless read the paragraphs
which have been circulating In the papers respect
ing the man Parks, the supposed murderer Of the
Englishman Beatson. at Cuyahoga Falls, and his
named Dickinson, who aed from justice in his ma
tive land, and arrived IN this country some years
since. We have met with gentleman who is well
Of that criminal and who furnishes US some incl |
dents connected herewith, which will prove inter !
esting, and probably useful at this time The man
Dickinson, who is supposed to be Identical with
Parks, was native OF Clitheroe in Lancashire,
England. From his earliest days he was q leading
spirit among the gangs OF poachers and thieves by
which that portion of the county infested, and
became noted as reckless and daring adventurer.
life within the walls of prson<and was the terror
Of the neighborhood he infested. His family were
poor but industrious people bis father and sister be-
and extensive cotton factor, residing at Low Moor,
near Ciheroe, on the banks of the river Ribble,
which divides the counties of Lancashire and
Yorkshire at that spot. At rs years OF age he
was again confined in Jail for some poaching Of
fence, but was liberated on promise of amendment,
through the intercesson Of the Rev. MI. Abbott, q
clergyman of the neighborhood.. This was towards
the close OF the year ls4O In the winter OF lS4O-l,
however, he committed some offence in company
with one John Briggs, for which warrant for his
apprehension was issued. In consequence OF Dckin-
sons well known desperate character, party OF po-
u
place called Grindleton, in Yorkshire, whittier they
had fed after the commission of their crime. The
offenders were arrested and confined IN tavern by
the officers who had them in custody, and who failed
to convey them at once to place OF security. In
the night the tavern was attacked bya gang Of Dick
ins0n's comrades, armed with guns; the officer IN
command compelled to release his prisoners and
was himself eased Of some loose change by them, in
order that they might have wherewithal TO drink hia
health at the bar. Dickinson and Briggs then
pr0wled around the neighborhood, committing va
rous robberies attended with brutal violence, and be-
came the dread Of the country rhey
the officers, shifting their quarters from county ia
county. Upon one occasion they deliberately shot
gamekeeper named Harrison, in the back, because
they had some spite against the man. Their intended
victim recovered from his wounds.
In March, l84l at place about nineteen miles
east Of Clitheroe called Bakeup, the villains were
guilty of another dabocal act. About three miles
from the village is hill called Drply Hill which
was situated lonely tavern, kept by James Simp-
son, his wife and daughter, who were the only oc-
cupants of the house. A son, also named James,
lived short distance from the tavern: In the
to the elder Simpsons dwelling, and having peremp-
torily demanded admission, under pretence of OBJ
tanning refreshments, they beat the old man in
The daughter escaped while the rufdans were endea
voring tOthrow erfather down into cellar, and
fed to the sons house, who Immediately proceeded
to the rescue. Young Simpson was powerful man,
anu Hc BIdppieu viii DrlgBS tuc larger VI tuc IOS.
bers, and had well nigh overpowered him, wheu
Briggs called upon Dickinson to fire. Dickinson
then drew pistol and shot young Simpson, the
bullet passing into his side. The two rufiians then
fed, leaving Simpson for dead The bullet was SUBJ
sequently extracted. and the young mans life was
saved, although he was disabled for life. The hue
and cry after the wouldbe murdereN was then loud,
and they were compelled to take to the woods.
Shortly afterwards they attacked butter dealer,
who was on his road to market near Keightley.
Yorkshire, and shot him In the face. He escaped
from them, however, before they succeeded in rob
bling him. They were then pursued closely, night
and day, and fed to Manchester. Information being
forwarded to the police Of that city, strict lookout
was kept, and the fellows were traced to Newton, q
lonely village the borders Of Yorkshire, Lanca-
shire and Cheshire. A trap was laid to catch the
two together but it failed, and Briggs alone was cap
tured Dickinson making good his escape to this
country. Briggs was tried at Lancashire assizes and
had sentence Of death recorded against him. This
sentence afterwards committed to transportatie4
for life and he sent to Norfolk Island, one Of
the worst penal settlements in the world The war
rant against Dickinson still remains in force. Hs
career in this country-supposing him to be the man
now known as Parks-is familiar to all our readers,
and his last act if he is found to be guilty promises
to end his desperate career.
Our informant gives us the following description
Of DickinsonHe is about thirty seven years Of age;
stout built; about five feet seven inches in height;
sallow complexion well formed features; has lost
of his front teeth and is very slightly pitted
with the small pox; his eyes and hair are dark. He
is us cunning as fox, and his thoughts during an
Imprisonment are always concentrated upon escape.
Those who have him in custody should exercise un
sleeping vigilance, or they may some morning find
their dangerous bird upon the wing.