The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-28
FORMER SALT
LAKER ADMITS
MANY GRIMES
Harry Edgar HilIon Tells the
Denver Police Thrilling
Tales of Holdups, Burg
laries and Murder.
HE BLAMES LIQUOR
FOR HIS ARREST
Admits That He Served Term
in Utah State Prison for
Forging Name of
Uncle Here.
Special TO The Tribune.


DENVER, Oct. 27.-Harry Edgar
Hillon, alias James Nelson, alias
Frank Allen, the tall bandit, who has
terrorized Denver for a week, this
morning made confession of murder
and robberies declared by those who
heard 1t TO be the most remarkable
story ever related at police head
quarters. Before he had told of all
mis- crimes he was taken out to show
now be murdered Thomas Chase Fri
day morning. His confession details
how he committed more than fifty
holdups and robberies in various cities,
including Salt Lake City.
Nelson hesitated a moment before
starting his confession this morning,
then smiled and said:
"Well, I guess you We got it on me.
and I might as well tell the whole
story from beginning to end and have
it over with, I know 4 am sticking
my head in the moose, but you d hook
me anyway, guess, so what's the use
of stallingi''
HillOn Convicted in Salt Lake.
Hiilon stated that he was born in
st. Paul, MINI, and lived there until
he was years Of age, when the
family moved to San Francisco. He
attended public school there until he
was Ia years of age, when be forged
his fathers name TO a check, and, TO
escape the possible consequences, ran
away from home
After beating his way about the
country between the Pacific coast and
Salt Lake City for several wears he
went to live with his uncle, John
Hicks, in the latter city. After short
time there he forged his uncle's name
to check, for which he was ar
rested and sentenced TO the state
prison for term of eighteen months.
Robs Two Hotels.
After his release he worked his wav
through the northwest, committing
holdups and robberies, and always by
lucky chances escaping arrest At
Pocatello, Ida, he obtained work as
night porter in hotel. At the first
opportunity he tttouched " the safe for
$500 and left town.
Later, In Oakland, Cal, he secured a
similar position. When the chance pre-
sented he robbed the safe Of Sljc
and left town. Then he went east
He told Of series of holdups COM
mitted in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Chi
cago and middle western cities, and
declared that his operations enabled
him TO live in comparative luxury
without exerting himself to any ex-
tent.
Liquor Cause Of Downfall.
"But it was whisky that finally
anded me here" he continued "If
had not got full of booze Satur-
day night they never would have GOT
me- When they told me to throw up
my hands I knew there was no use
making gun play then. because they
lad me dead to rights. I am the uu-
uckiest man that ever lived
ANSieVb tuch SaNC d SidPut hf
'cription of every Job he had pulled
,ff since his arrival in Denver. inelud
ng the affair which ended in his shoot
ng Thomas Chase Friday morning. He
llso admitted shooting Pullman Con
luctor Clark, whom he held up near
he Union depot
"I am "a years DID, said Nelson,
fand outside of few weeks work
n Pueblo and in the army, i lived ms
,est T could from robberies and
,urgiaries.
Hillon's confession will he used TO
end him to the gallows.
Fl. II, Eillon, believed TO be the man
eferred in the foregoing dispatch was
rTested here on a charge OF forgery oy
ohm q. Burbidge. March Q. 1910. He WAS
entenced on May of the same year to
no year In the state prison Mr.. Beck-
tead could not remember last night the
etails Of the crime OF which llillon was
ound guilty According TO the lniorms. ,
lon attached TO his photograph in the
npueat gallery Mt police headquarters.