The Dickinson press., 1889-01-19
A CEACKSM ANS FREAK.
HE WOULD ROB THE HOUSE, THEN
KISS THE WOMEN AND DEPART.
Hermann yickcry, the Noted California
Thief-Ntne Years In Prison Did Not
Change Him-Riddlcd with Bullets While
Attempting to Escape.

Thicf-Sine Years In Prison Did Not
Change Hin,-Ridtlcd with Bullets While
Attempting to Escape.
Tho burglar, Hermann vickery, who was
shot this week and fatally injured while max
inga bold dash Tor liberty at Folsom state
prison, had career which is one OF the most
extraordinary in the criminal annals of the
coast California has had many desperate
criminals whom long residence in prison
could not tame, but none Of these ever showed
such utter lack of fear as Vickery did. or
such remarkable disregard of danger when
indulgins in his favoritc pastinle of burglary
The police officers who saw much of him and
the prison officials all declared he was a crank,
and they have pointed, since his death. to his
attempt to escape as proof of their oundnesS
Of position, but others who knew him said he
was simply a confirmed criminal, with many
eccentricities, which made him as interesting
study as Blac.; Bart, the poetical lone high
wayman, who robbed stages for over ten
years, and left sarcastic note in doggercl
every time he broke open an express box or
slit mail pouch.
DESPERATE CHANCE.
Vickery certainly hadn't one chance in n
hundred TO escape when he dropped his tools
and scrambled up the steep bank OH tie
American river just below Folsom prison
He probably counted OH the guards becoming
ratified" as the governor was inspecting the
place at the time .iS it proved Ac made Il
good calculation Although daring his climb
up the exposed >i,ic of bluff for seventy feet
he was in range Of dozen Wnche>tels and
one Gatin5 s,;i.. aud the ground over which
he passed lookrl aftcrward a if it lad been
rooted UP s'v hogs where the shower of lead
struck IT, still Nirkcry reached within ten
feet of safety when three bullets struck him.
He had gained the top OF the bluff and
another n!o!neut woul,l have seen him safely
burie'l i'll i!ie thick chaparral that rrows or
top but wnei his figure wi:s out!l"t! against
the sky H. uia,le too iino ;itaI vt n! lie W.,
brought down by wounds illa. e:,.a,i uis life
that night A, he WAS very fleet of foot and
notoriou>ly s!slllul i'll cIu,lins pursuit, had lie
reached the shelter of the brush the chances
were altogether in favor of his escape
BrEGLARY WITH EMBELLISHMENTS.
Eickeiy was a Gcrmau who worked as Il
miner in Nrcka, Sisklyou county. in.the tx
treme northern part of the state There.
about 1870, lie committed Il series If hrmgla
ries and was sent to San Quentin or Il long
term of years He made so COED IN ialpre,-
sion ON the prison officials. and his q. is had
been so small that he was par.io:e. about
1915. lie came To tins city, anl in tine fol-
lowing year was convicted of perpetra;ing Il
remarkable series of burs lar;eS that were the
local sensation for nearly month.
After robb!ng a house it WAS h!s custom to
visit tho rooms OF the female members of the
family and kiss and !onde them. GA several
occasions he actually got into bed with sleep
ing women, and when they awolc he escaped
by window or door which he had thought
fully left o zen, taking his p!und2r with ni.n.
He was such good sprinter that none of the
robbed ever caught him. Some of the women
whom he kissed were seriously i'll from tie
shock of awaking and finding themselves in
strange mans arms. Vickery surpassed all
his previous exploits by getting into bed he
side Il wife while the husband was also ASLEEP,
The latter was aroused and chased Vickerv
from the house, but, as usual, the burglar Is
capped.
He MAS taken, however, soon after while
attempting to burglnri@. the premises OF Il
Mr.. Owens. He WAS acnt To sun Qucntn for
fifteen years, but after niiin wears, ;lccurlin.;
to the working Of the Goodwin act. Ais
fifteen year term was ended. He WAS ,!-.
charged in lSs5, and as he had become {.
good carpenter, the Jail officials thought be-
would lead an honest life.