Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-05-24
A haurderer's Pet.

Albert Hickerson, the insane murderer
now confined in iaIl awaiting the sctiop OF
Judge Laughlin, at Louisville, is mourning
the loss Of his pet and companion, which
death stole from hln q few days ago.
Last winter Hickerson was seized with an
alteration of the mind while drinking 10
the Golden Lion saloon, al the portheast
corner of Seventh and Pine streets, and
drawing a revolver, fired ct his friends,
fatally wounding one and seriously shoot
Ing another. He was committed 10 Jail.
where his queer actions have always ex
cited the attention of The other prisoners.
Though given the liberty OF the door since
his incarceration, he availed himself little
of the privileges. His voluntary and
steady confinement, even DUNG the exer-
csse hour. excited the curiosity Of the In
mates Of mnrderers' row end the jail
guards, who watched hIm closely snd DIS
covered the cause of the secrecy. He had
caught a small mouse in his cell, and was
engaged in the la borious work of training
1t to companionshIp. During the first few
days he tied 1t with a cotton cord to the
lattice work of the cell door, allowing 1t to
caper about the bunk and floor. Becoming
little rodent showed signs of confidence.
and was accordingly released. Ii would
sit On his ex ended hand or nestle IN his
bosom at IN from him, showing remark
able sagaclty In many little tricks At
night when he retired he placed his mute
cell mate under his pillow, where il rested
qIietly until The morning. When released
IL ran about the cell, and at the call of Its
master would jump into his lap. For
weeks no one knew of the existence of the
pet, which his master, in an insane fear of
detection, would frequently carry in his
arm pit, where it would lie quietly until
gwen lis freedom. One night it escaped
from lis rest under the pillow, and running
down INTO his underwear, fouad rselI
imprisoned by the strings of his unmen-
tionables abo II the ankle. So accustomed
Was III ckerson to il that the curioIs SEN
satIon did not awaken him. On getting
up next morning the pet was gone, having
gnswed a hole through his lnderw ar ana
escaped A prisoner in the 40 row cap
tured the runaway and returned II TO the
rightful owner. At morning aud nom
HIckerson would squat on the floor of his
cell With bis Touse on one SIDE and his
dutf6r and bulls neck on the Ctner. 1u
tins way he fed ana nursed II FIR nearly
six months A few days ago il. Was taken
sick, causing Its weak minded master
much trouble. He was untirng in his
efforts to preserve tie creatures life,
bathing ii aud resorting to all the remedies
be couiu think Of. But II was all IN vain.
at last the uItle pet lay down and died in
its masters hand. Since then he has been
unusually depressed, and only recently
told tue cause of his sorrow In confidence
TO few fellow prisoners.
Alter his mouse died Hickerson set to
work catching the jail cockr ,aches, which
are giants of their kind, ana make the
speed OF a rat across the sleek sandstone
tiles of the Jail court. AS he captured
each he carefully deposited it In box
near the library. When asked what he
was doing tins for he ssId:
81 am gong 10 catch lot of them and
train them as an army OF soldiers"
He aOandonet this, however, being
unable to make any beadwsy, and is now
without any pet with which to while
away the weary hours of confinement.