The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
NO THIRD PERSON.
1continred from Page one.l

Half leaning over the form of his
victim, Rickels stood at the very bot
of dirt furnished an excellent resting
place for the stock of the gun He
rested it against the pile of clay and
with his right hand brought the barrel
to a point within a few inches of the
/. base of his own skull. With the fin
gers of his left hand, Rickels pulled
the trigger. A minute later he Joined
his victim. Both Rickels and his step
daughter had been shot in practically
the same spot. AS he fell, Rickels still
held in his right hand the barrel of the
gun that had that day done double
execution. The barrel was in the
same death grasp when q little search
ing party found the two bodies that
night The gun was under the body
of Rickels.
That Ricke1s committed suicide has
been established to the satisfaction of
people who followed the case closely.
The finding of two discharged shells,
daughter were killed by the same gun.
In RickeIs' hand was grasped the
barrel OF the gun, just as he held 1t
when he pulled the trigger for the last
time.
Visit Scene of Tragedy.
Out in the Fairview district, the
double killing is the one topic Of con-
versation. Hundreds of people have
visited the lonely scene of the double
killing. These men and women have
viewed the sickening pool of blood and
brains and broken skull in the deep
gulch.
Mrs. Rickels IS still suffering from
the shock of the crime. A dozen
neighbors are caring for her. She is
almost Frustrated and neighbors fear
that the shock may affect her mind
With her face tear trained, she s0bS
constantly for the return of her child
Sometimes she blames herself for the
double killing. Then she pleads with
the women at her side for sympathy.
d a<,I~0
the girl for two years with his at
tentions, the woman fears that she
is to some degree to blame for the
murder and suicide. Her anguish is
pathetic and after a disposition is
made of the bodies, it is probable that
the woman will be taken to the home
of her brother, George w. Cowper-
thwait, near Silver Lake.
Suicide, Says Sheriff.
Each hour county officials are be-
coming more convinced that it was
impossible for a third party to have
figured in the double tragedy. Every
indication points to the fact that Rick
els killed himself, they believe, and
there is not the slightest evidence at
hand to back the third party theory.
Il have studied the crime thorough
ly," Sheriff Norton stated today, in
discussing the killing, land am con-
WINGED that the murder was commit
ted substantially as reported in the
State Journal last night There is not
the least evidence on WHICH we can
base the third party belief. Rickels
was insanely jealous of the girl. After
killing her, he shot himself. The find
ing of the two shells, the position OF
the bodies and the fact that Rickels
still held in his hand the barrel of the
gun that had done double murder,
eliminates all possibility of third
person.
Coroner H. w. Bomgardner is still
inclined to the third party belief. But
he admits that there is little on which
to base this view.
"Rfckels must have fred both
noon. when asked for his theory of
RickeIs' death. 1.-The puzzling thing is
to understand how the shot which he
himself fired could mutilate the head
in the manner it did. Finding of shot
| in the mans head and the lack of evil
| dence to support the belief that some
other person took a hand in the kill
ing, seems to leave but one safe guess
that Rickels killed himself"
County Attorney Simon admitted that
he was inclined to the Rickels suicide
theory. He declined to make a state
ment of his views, however, until he
brought to his attention. Asked con-
corning the possession of his mysteri-
Gus testimony, the county attorney de-
clinad to discuss the subject.
II haven't investigated the matter to
my own satisfaction" Simon said, land
more fully before making a statement"
Coroner's Jury Called.
The following coroner's jury was
summoned today by Sheriff Norton: A.
M. Russell, Ed Guild, Frank Leach.
John Rogers. Carry johnson and Frank
jacques. At o'clock this afternoon
these men went to The Conwen under
taking establishment in North Topeka.
where they viewed the bodies of Rick
els and Miss Stickney. That was all
men. At 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon
they will be called to the court house
to hear evidence concerning the double
killing.
Mrs. RicIzels Will be brought to To
peka this afternoon. If her condition
will permit making the trip. She will
be taken at once to the county attor-
ney'S office, where she will tell what
she knows of the case.
Last night Rickels' seven year old
son, Herbert Rickels. told Assistant
County Attorney James Mcclure of the
relations of his father and half-sister |
The boys mind was dazed by the
tragedy in the home and many of his |
statements are contradictory. He said |
that Clara Belle Stickney often joked !
with and leased her step father and in |
the presence of her mother treated her |
step father courteously On other oc-
cas1ons the girl called Rickels a fool |
and tainted him of her friendship for
girl are said to have driven Rickels to |
point of insane jealousy. The girls |
alleged statements, however, are dis |
proven by the fact that she did not |
keep company with any of the young |
men in the neighborhood.
The bodies of Rickels and Miss Stick |
ney viii be buried Sunday morning in |
the Silver Lake cemetery. Short fun |
eral services will be held at 10 O'Clock |
in the Conwell undertaking rooms
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