New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10
AFTER MOLINEUX WITNESS
TRYING TO ExTRADITE THE MAN WHO
IDENTIFIED THE PRISONER.
HE is n. A. HICKMAN. AND rs ALLEGED TO
HAVE ESCAPED FROM TENNESSEE
PRIsoN-GOvERNoR DELAYS ACTION
on HEARING OF HIS con-
NEcTIoN WITH THE
POISON CASE.


NEcTIoN WITH THE
POISON CASE
The value of the testimony of Nicholas A.
Hickman one of the principal witnesses in the
Adams Molineux poisoning case. may be seri-
ously deprecated by a request made by the
Governor OF Tennessee for his arrest and extra
dition from this State on a charge OF jail-break-
ing.
At the inouest into the death Of Mrs. Kate j.
Adams Hickman positively identified Molineux
AS the man who hired private letter-box from
him under the name of H. c. Barnet, which
Is the name Of the member OF the knicker-
booker Athletic Club who died, 1t Is supposed
from the kind OF poison that Killed MIS-
Adams Hickman the only witness VINO
positively identified Molineux as connected per-
sonally with the tragedy Friends or Moiineux
are hopeful that the new turn OF AFFAIRS may
discredlt his testimony altogether, and result
in acquttal OF the prisoner now In the Tomps.
II is curious fact, however that the mixture
of mystery which has so largely pervaded this
great poisoning case from the start should be
found permea ting in some degree even the com
paratiyely trfng proceedings taken for the
arrest of an alleged pickpocket. who Is charged
with escaping from a Tennessee prison before
his full term was served. 1t was last Friday
that two men called on Governor Roosevelt In
Albany and. identifying themselves as Captain
Casteen. Of the Nashville. Tenn police force
and A. S. Collier. jr.. a lawyer OF that CITY, pre-
scented reouistion from Governor Mcmillan for
the extradition Of one "P. e. Raymond. alias
Williams. alias Hickman" who was convicted
several years ago. they said, OF inert, ana
ESCAPED from prison before his term was
thn foot
man they wanted was a witness In the Moli-
neux case Governor Roosevelt saw no reason
why Governor McMillan's request should not be
granted, so he signed the paper
Casteen then left the Capitol hastily declaring
that he would take the first train for New-York
and present his warrant TO Chief OF Ponce
Devery on Friday afternoon. Instead OF carry
ing out this programme, however, Casteen de-
layed presenting his warrant to the Chief OF
Police until late on Saturday afternoon. Final
w. when he did see Devery, he was told that
Governor Roosevelt had sent instructions to the
Chief not to execute the warrant for the arrest
of Hickman until the Governor had had another
hearing Of the case. The Governor went to
Illinois on Saturday and is not expected TO re-
turn until Wednesday.
What Mr. Hickman has been doing since he
has thus had such ample notice is not clear.
He certainly has had plenty Of time TO run
away II he wanted TO. He could not be found
at his home in Astoria, on Saturday or yes
terday. and his wife absolutely refused to tell
whether she knew where he was or not.
INDICTED IN THIS CITY.
Hickman, as told in The Tribune on March
last was indicted In this city on charge OF
bribery at the polls In the 1854 election, and.
so far as the records show, has never been
purged OF that charge. II is noteworthy fact
that on February 70 last the indictment and
papers In his case taken from the ndct-
nrent clerks office into the Dstrict-Attorney's
private office. and that on the next day, after
a conference with the District Attorney, Heck
man was ready to Identity Molineux. although
previously. according to the police he had told
Captain McCiusky that Molineux was not the
man who rented the letter-box from him.
The reason given by Captain Casteen for not
presenting the warrant to Chief Devery until
Saturday afternoon is that he was waiting for
the arrival Of witnesses from Tennessee TO iden-
tify Hickman as Percy L. Raymond alias
williams alias Johnson. alias Hickman, con-
Wet No. COZ. who escaped from the Tennessee
State Prison on April :. 1893" Just why 1t
would not have suited Casteen to catch his
bird first and let the witnesses to prove his
identity come along afterward. he does not ex-
plain
However that may be Governor Roosevelt was
surprised on Saturday morning TO receive a let
ter from Asa Bird Gardiner saying he had
heard attempt was being made TO spirit
away Hickman, his chief witness In the Moi-
neux case and he wanted the warrant revoked,
because. In his opinion. the Hickman who es-
&C ped from jail in Tennessee was not the same
Hickman who testified against Molineux. 1t
was this which caused the Governor TO sus-
pend the execution OF the warrant already is
sued by him. until he could find time to give
the matter further consideration.
Captain McCusky. OF the Detective Bureau. is
quoted making this emphatic declaration:
Hickman will not be delivered up until the
fun merits of this requistion known. |
have my own opinion to the way in which the
warrant was obtained. Hickman is the most
important witness in the Molineaux poisoning
case This whole proceeding looks peculiar. II
it is ruse to spirit Hickman away. it VIII
fall"
WHAT MOLINEt-X'S COUNSEL SAYS.
Barlow s Weeks counsel for Molineux. told
Tribune reporter yesterday that he had nothing
TO do with the extradition proceedings against
Hickman He professed tn believe that Heck
mans testimony against Molineux was Of no
Importance. anyway He declared, too that
Heckman's testimony had not been presented 10
the Grand Jury which indicted Molineux, and
with regard 10 Mr.. GARDENERS charge that some
one was trying TO spirit away" Hickman he
retorted that Hickman safe under lock and
key In Tennessee. could be found at any time by
the District Attorney. whereas Hickman at lib
erty. while under indictment for bribery and
badly wanted by Tennessee jailers, might be
harder 10 find.
Roland b. Molineux declined to discuss the
subject in his cell in the Tombs yesterday.
As is usual In most mems troubles there Is
woman in Heckman's case. and an element Of
romance. This woman is Blanche NJ. Graham
Her AFFIDAVIT forms part OF the requisition case