Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-11-01
RAYMOND HITCHCOCK, The ACTOR,
HAS DIsAPPEARED UNDERCHARGES
Under Six Indictments For Criminal Assault and AbduC
ton, He Fails to Appear in Court When Case
Is Called May Have suiclded

New York, n. Y. ], Oct. 81 The das-c
appearance of Raymond Hitch cock,
following his indictment by the grand
jury that had heard the stories Of
three little girls, was the absorbing
topic today on Broad Way, Il where
those who had known the star inti-
mately during his ten years on the
stage, advanced a hall, dozen theories
in planation of his default. n
The actors closest friends, who
have emerge tically defended his name
since he became involved in the trou-g
Bile are divided IN opinion. Many in
sisted today that driven to despera-
ton BY the serious aecusat ion, he had
committed suicide. Others were sat
isfied that he had been spirited away
and possibly murd ered by men who
had practiced blackmail on the come
dian and who feared exposure if the
case against their victim came to-
trial. This theory was voiced by Her
man Fromnae, the missing mans at.
Storney, and by Mrs. Hitchcock.
Mrs. Hitchcock, though near col
lapse from worry, has continued 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.
Mr.. Fromme said:
Hitchcock did not so away Of his
own accord. He has been either kid
mapped or murde red by the band OF
blackmailers by which he has been
annoyed threatened and bounded for
the past two yea rs.
& Six of these dozen men are known
[ by name to me. Mr. Hitchcock has
I lived in a state of continual terror on
D account Of their prosecutions. He is
an innocent man and there is no
proof against him -Four men have
been trailing him for months. Now
it turns out that they are blackmail-
ers. Last Monday Mr.. Hitchcock was
anxious to have this entire matter
aired in court, but an ad iournment
prevented this. The case was called
y for this afternoon. i believe that he
4 is a victim Of black alters, who are
4 anxious to have the case threshed
4. out. g! .5 ..#t
While these theories gained some
credence the police did not relax
their efforts to locate Hitchcock
h which began when the police alarm
for his arrest was sent out last night
All outgoing steamers were visited
and their passenger lists scrutinized
wireless message was sent to the
4 Majestic, which sailed yesterday De
tectives also watched train stations
hut8Iate tonight their vigilance had
B not been rewarded.
District Attorney Jerome tonight
sent two detectives to Boston This
action probably grew out Of the state
Inent Of railroad conductor who
thought he had had Hitchcock as :
passenger from this city to NORTH
Adams yesterday
Conductor G b. Keller returned to
New York tonight. His train picked
up, he said tonight, three men pas
sengers at 10th street yesterday II
one Of the three he thought he rec
N ognized Hitchcock. He was not posi-
tive of Identification. He had, how
ever, seen Hitchcock on the stage
Il and for a moment. he did not dollb
that the comedian and his pasesnge
\ were one and the same, He added
seThe three men carried baggage
and one Of the other two paid casl
fares for all to North Adams. The,
engaged d drawing room IN the Pull
man car and remained in the apart
ment throughout the trip. After on
arrival iii North Adams, I met tn
three men on a street but have n
idea where they went. \
AT North Adams train connection
can be made for Boston or Troy
4 Some Of Hitchcock's acquaintance
think IT likely that he sought seciu
sion. where, undisturbed for fe'
days, he can think over his predics
Inent and decide upon course OF at
ton.
Hitchcock,s troubles have assume
several phases He Brst caused q
arrest Of boy who, he alleged ha