The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-22
Great rials Of History.
Trial, OF HICKS.

Albert w. Hicks. who was executed
on Bcdloe's Island. where the Bar
tholdi Statue OF Liberty Enlightening
the World now stands. on July IS, 1860,
was tho greatest murderer who has
ever been convicted and punished In
this country. Hicks was merely tried
for the murder OF Captain Burr. Smith
and oliver Watts, which he had COM
United on board the oyster sloop r. a.
Johnson. But this was bur minute
part Of the great number OF crimes OF
similar character OF which ne was
guilty.
The indictment against the prisoner
was that on the 2lst of March. 1850.
on the sloop Johnson. Hicks had com
George II. Burr, master ana conman-
der of the vessel, and To conceal the
crime had murdered the three men
floating in the New York Bay. showed
large spots OF blood upon it,
When the murder became known
Hicks made his escape from New York
and was unprecedented at Providence.
X. l.. and brought back To the city.
When he was arrested he had on his
person silver watch which was idcn-
titled as having belonged TO Captain
Burr ar well as other articles belong
ing to Burr and the other two men muir
dcrcd.
After II preliminary examination be-
trial lasted five days. during which
time the prisoner maintained show ~
cold indifference. Ia those days rob-
berry on the high seas was punishable
with death. aud III consequence only for
piracy was the prisoner tried. ana not
Tor murder. The prosecution was con-
Quoted by Ex-Judgc Roosevelt. the
United states district attorney. ana by
Two asssiistants. Charles II. Hunt and
James +. Dwight Mcssrs Graves and :
Sayles defended the prisoner.
Mr.; DWIGHT made the opening speech
called was Se!ah CowcI, who was a
half Owner with Captain Burr Of the
sIoop ~ which the robbery and murder
MANI other prisoners followed. all OF
which testified az to seeing Hicks on
the s!oop when II left the dock. others
seeing him on the boat, and stiiI otb-
ers meeting him after the murder.
several witnesses who had met Hicks
testified that he had told them that
ne Hdd been in Il wreck at sea, in which
ms Sloop was run into ana the other
inc.nhcrS OF the crew were knocked
ov%rboard and either killed or drowned.
The watch was brought in as .vi-
dchce, as well as the other articles
found on the prisoner At the end
OF the NTH day Judge Sinalley charged
Inc jury, and they withdrew ut l0:S,;
and were only out seven minutes be-
fore they returned, and announced a
removed TO the Tonbs In irons. A mo.
ton for Il new trial was afterwards
argued ana denied. immediately after
tn!S decision the sentence of death was
passed upon Hicks. the day fixed FOR
me execution being Friday July ~
Hicks made long confession before
Lorenzo dc Angeles. the Deputy United
states Marshal for the Southern Dis
trict OF New York on July O. in this
story Tie prisoner gave 4 complete his
Tory or his life from the date OF nis
birth. In 1879. in the town OF Foster.
~ ]. lie hNd run away from homo
when he was fifteen. From this on for
the next twenty-five years the story Of
his life Of crime is most amazing. and
globe. down 10 the murders on the H.
y. Johnson 80
Hicks confessed that he had never
known OF or seen Captain Burr bo-
Tore he shipped with him. He said tho
captain was an amiablc man, ana that
he even liked him, but that he had en-
gagged himself solely and only for tho
cruel purpose OF taking his life, he
cause he knew that he had consid.r,pIo
money with him. This confession is ono
OF me most remarkable ever subscribed
10 by criminal
HICKS was executed at half-Das. II
o CLOCK In the morning Of July III The
execution was witnessed by thousands
from the humorous excursion boats on
.he nay, and was in plain view from
Inc battery. company OF United
suites marines preserved order He
nlaue no remarks on the gallows. en-
SEPT 10 request the marshal to hanf-
him quick. Hicks's confession we
printed generally throughout the CONS
Try the day after his execution. There
is no doubt. from this confession I'm,
he was one OF the most ficndish NO.
stcrs mat ever lived.