Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-30

Buffalo, N. T.. Nov. 29.-The acci- dental killing of a man in Lowell, Mass, twenty years ago, was given tt night by John Frank Hickey In a sign- ed confession as the starting point of a career of debauchery and crime, dur ing which he murdered two boys and assaulted many others. Hickey's vic tins, according to his confession. were F. Mercy of Lowell Mass, poisoned with laudanuni over twenty years ago; Michael Kruck. 12 years old, a New York newsboy, strangled in Central Park in 1902. and Joseph Joseph, ' years old, the son of George Joseph, merchant of Lackawanna, killed in similar manner October 2, 1911.
 Whiskey Makes Him a Maniac.
 ''The details of Hicl0ey's last two crimes are too revolting to make pub lie" said District Attorney w. c. Dud- ley. Hickey apparently is man with a dual personality. He is intelligent. He is now overcome with remorse and pays again and again that he cant comprehend what possessed him to commit the crimes. He asserts that Le became a maniac only when filled with WhiSkey."
 Agreed to Sign Confession.
 Hickey's full confession came after long series of admissions made to Dis trict Attorney Dudley and Chief R. R Gilson of Lackawanna that began on Wednesday morning, when the two officials left New York for Buffalo with their prisoner. Today Hickey agreed to sign a confession, and shortly after 5 o'clock this evening he was brought through the tunnel connecting the county jail and city hall, used today for the first time since Leon -CZolgosL was taken through it after being sen fenced to death for the assassination of President Mckinley.
 Confesses Many Assaults.
 Shackled to Sheriff Becker, Hickey was taken to the district attorney s office, where in the presence of MT. Dudley the sheriff and a Stenographe1, he again went over the details of his crimes. In addition to the murders Hickey confessed to many assaults and attempted assaults on small boys, the last being committed in Lawrence, Mass, August 5.
 Hickey said repeatedly during his confession that all his crimes were committed while he was drunk Sobar thought of crime never entered his rn1nd But when he became intoxicatea there came over him an unsuitable de- sire to kill small boys. The tortures or his victims, as related in the confes- sion, were frishtful.
 Ready to Pay the Penalty.
 After signing his confession Hickey said he was glad his life of crime was at an end.
 T have made my peace with God" he said. q am ready to pay the pen alty for my crimes demanded by man.
 Poisoned Man as Drug Clerk.
 The killing of the man, Ed Mercy, in Lowell, according to Hick- ey's confession, was accidental. He was then a clerk in drug store whei e Mercy frequently called to beg for whiskey.
 To get rid of him one day, Hickey said, he put laudanum in the whiskey that Mercy was about to drink, intenG ing to make him sick, but the man, weakened by dissipation, died from the effects of the drug.
 Crime Drove Him to Drink.
 This crime proving upon his mind for years, Hickey said, ultimately drove i1m to drink After killing the Kruch boy in Central Park, New York, Hic.z ey fled to Boston. but returned to New York in few days and read in the newspaper files in the public library stories about the finding of the little fellows body and the search for lis slayer.
 The postcards written from Boston in which Hickey told of killing che Joseph and Kruck boys and indicating where the body of the Joseph 9)y could be found, Hickey states, wert written at desk in the general de- livery room of the main postoffice building
 Confession Came Easy.
 District Attorney Dudley said tl.ai Hickeys confession came without mucl persuasion.
 There was no grilling examination nor resort to the so-called third de- Rree," he said. Hickey became quitv confidential with me and at times Would eSA me bits of his lifehistory. It wa; 6n the train that l made remarks abo,: different points of evidence we ha, against him. This seemed to worry him considerably. I told him that h. could not expect anything from me, anC anything said would be used agains him.
 Detailed History of His Life.
 Finally he launched into a detailed history of his life. He said that whel he was boy in Lowell, his birthplace something happened to him that h. never forgot. He then related the ac cidental killing of the man, Mercy This, he said. was followed by period of remorse that he sought to obliterat from his mind with drink. By and b. the stories of the other crimes cam out, until he finally broke down com pletely and between sobs told me hoy he murdered the Joseph and krucl boys.
 Letter from kruck Boys Father.
 Police Chief Began today received letter from Henry Kruck of 353 Fiftl avenue New York, who says he is tn father of the murdered Kruck boy begging permission to see Hickey.
 T am not happy since the child wa lost" the letter reads. NO matte where I go or what I do, my child always in my mind. Maybe justice wi cool me up when the murderer i dead"
 Must Submit to Search.
 In reply Kruclx was told he might ss the prs ,ner provided he submitted | a search at police headquarters befor going tO tbe jail
 We will do everything possible comfort you if you come here" wrot the chief. Your letter shows that yo still grieve for the dead boy. Be com forted because God takes care of . all, and He knows everything"
 Bridgeport Has Hickey caseP
 Prid0anort Conn Nov % lOn Oe