The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-09-02
WASDRIVEN TO HIS DEATH?
DID DETECTIVES CAUSE BICKLE
TO COMMIT SUICIDE?
Company Says He was Not Suspected
But Detectives Kept Worrying
Him With Questions.

ear to ear Sunday morning about
1880 o'clock in the bath room OF his
residence at No. II Greene street.
Death resulted almost instantly. 1t
is thought he was driven to the des-
perate deed by i'll health and sub
sequent nervous breakdown, which,
coupled with several visits OF detec-
tives, broke him up completely and
affected his mind.
On the night Of May '1S a package
containing several hundred dollars
was stolen from the express car OF a
Southern train between BranchVille
and Augusta. When the train ar
rived at the union depot, Express
Messenger Hutto was found inside
his strong box. He claimed to have
been held up by masked men who
knocked him down and Imprisoned
him under the lid before he recov-
cred consciousness.
Bickle was mail clerk on that
train, and George P. Humphreys was
baggage master. About six weeks
ago Humphreys killed himself by
cutting his throat with a razor. He
had been openly suspected by the
express company of knowledge Of the
robbery, or completely in the crime,
and his house was searched more
than once by detectives.
Though the express company oftic-
ials stoutly deny that Bickle was
ever suspected, the grief-stricken
members Of his family tell that he
was harassed by repeated visits OF
detectives, who subjected him to the
most searching cross-examinations,
and who were finally forbidden by
Bickle's physician to molest him
again. They state that on the day
after the robbery detectives came to
the house and Bickle went away with
them to make statement at the In
vestigation. Subsequently, a certain
detective name they do not
know-made three visits to the
house, bringing with them each time
a different associate.
Mrs. Bickle asserts that on the de-
tective's first visit she gave him per-
mission not only to search every
nook and corner Of the house, but to
make careful inquiry at all the local
banks for deposits Of money. He
made no search of the house, but
contented himself with asking Bickle
many questions.
Detectives Accuse.
On one of these occasions, the
eldest of the Bickle children, a
daughter about 16 years Of age, over
heard the detective fatty tell her
father that he saw the robbers, and
could give their names If he wasn't
afraid. To which Bickle replied that
he knew absolutely nothing OF the
crime.
Following these visits, Bickle In
variably underwent a relapse. He
would suffer the most painful agita-
ton, become frightfully nervous,
walk in his sleep, go away for long
walks, and take but little food.
The family declare, though, that he
was improving rapidly up to the last
visit by the detectives, which took
place about three weeks ago. It's
unfavorable effect on his condition
was more pronounced than ever De-
fore. In fact, 80 disastrous were the
consequences to his nerves and gen.
eral health that his physician, DR..
G. A. Taylor, is said to have FORBADE
the detective to molest him again:
Just year ago yesterday, B1ckie's
favorite child, a daughter In her
teens, who was the eldest OF five, d1ed
at the City hospital.
Her death cast a shadow over his
life, and he was never the same since
that bereavement.
About the time of that daughters
death, it is said that four members
of the Bickles were i'll at the same
time in the hospital. He could not
leave his work. His run was be-
tween Augusta and Branchville, ana
he could only see his loved ones LOT
a brief period each evening. Tne
food caught him at home, and ne
was unable to get to the hospitai::
It Is said that he walked the front
verandah in frenzy.
Health Broke Down.
On June q his health broke down
completely, and he had to quit work,
On August IA he tried to go back,
but was unable. The doctor recon-
mended that he go to North Carolina,
thinking a change of climate and en-
yironment would result benehcially.
For the last few days Bickle was
in deep gloom. He could not keep
m a conversation coherently. He
ate little, and slept f1tfully. He took
long walks alone. Friday night at
supper he remarked to his wife that
he felt like ending it all.
Mr.. d. G. Stebbins, who Is neigh
bor. heard screams from the Bickle
home Sunday morning, and ran over
To Investigate He found the suicide