The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-01
HITCHCOCK STILL
ELUDES ARREST
Actors Friends Claim That He
Has Been Kidnapped by
Prosecutors.
MAY HAVE KILLED HIMSELF

NEW YORK, October s1.--The dlsap-
pearanco OF Raymond Hitchcock. fol-
lowing HE indictment by the grand
Jury, which had heard the stories OF
three little girls, was tho absorbing
topic to-day on Broadway. where those
who had known the star intimately
during his ton years on the stage,
advanced half a oLzen theories In
OF his default. The ac-
tors closest friends, who have ener-
getically defended his name since ht.
became involved in trouble. are d.
vided in opinion. Many insisted to-
day that. driven desperate by se-
rtUus accusations, ne had committed
suicide. Others were satisfied that he
had been spirited away and possibly
murdered by men who had practiced
on the comedian and who
feared exposure tr the case against
their victim came TO trial.
This theory was voiced by Herman
t'romme, the missing mans attorney,
and by Mrs. Hitchcock, who before
marriage was Zabelle Mangasarian, OF
Chicago. Mrs. Hitchcock, though near
collapse through worry. has continu. d
to play opposite her husbands under
study at the theatre, where both were
engaged until yesterday. when Hitch
cock failed to appear at the matinee.
SIR. t'rommc said:
Hitchcock did not go away OF his
own accord. He has been either Kid
Mapped or murdered by the band Of
blarkmailsrs, by whom he has been an.
noyed. threatened and bounded for tht
past two years.
six OF these dozen men are known
| by the name to me- Mr.. Hitchcock
has lived in a state OF continual ter
ror on account OF their prosecutions FOL
| two years. Nevertheless. he has no
! left hts vito voluntarily. He is OF
innocent man, and there Is no proc
against him that there is the slight
! est foundation for the accusations
made. Four men have been trailing
| him for months. Now it turns out tina
they are blackmailers.s Last Monda!
Mr.. Hitchcock was anxious to hav
! this entire matter aired in court, blu
/. an adjournment prevented this. TIL
case was called for this afternoon.
believe that he is the victim OF TIL
blackniailers. who are not anxious t
have the case thrashed out"
Police Trying to Find Him.
l w ullc IuSsS -SlOaiGo EalhSa SOhAO ~ V
dence, the police did not relax thei
efforts to locate Hitchcock. which be
gan when police alarm for his arres
was sent out last night. All outgoin
lsteamers were visited and their pas
senger lists scrutinized. A wireless
\ message was sent to the Majestic
(which sailed yesterday. Detective
lalso watched the train stations. btu
late tonight their vigilance had nc
Ibsen rewarded. District Attorney Je
rome tonight sent two detectives t
Boston. This action probably gre
out Of the statement by railroad cor
ductor, who thought he had Hitchcoc
as a passenger from this city to Mort
Adams yesterday. This conductor.
B. Keeler, returned to New. York t
night. His train picked up. he said t.
night three men passengers at Or
Hundred and Twenty-ffth Street we!
!, terday. In one OF the three he though
he recognized Hitchcock. He was NJ
!. positive of the Identification. He ha
however. seen Hitchcock on the stag
land for the moment did not doubt thu
the comedian and his passenger wei
one and the same. At North Adam
train connections can be made for 30!
!, ton or Troy.
Has Sought Sccluslon.
Some OF 11itchcock's acquaintance
think 1t likely that he has sought S,
iclusion. where, undisturbed for fe
days. he can think over his predic,
!. ment and decide upon a. course I
action.
Hitchcock's troubles have assumt
several phases. He first caused I'll
arrest of boy who. he alleged, hi
attempted to blackmail him. Disclo
ures In the case led to Hitchcock's a
rest, and he was arraigned Monda
The case went over until to-day. al
he was released on $4,000 ball Mea,
time the grand jury returned six Il
dictments against the actor. some
them charging criminal assault and a
lduction. When the original case W,
called to-day and the defendant fail,
to appear. his counsel asked that Il
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