Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-15
ALIEN PROPERTY
SHOW
Frederick C. Hicks Succumbs
in Midst of Eerie Act
by Magician.

Nhue ThurSton the ma glClan, was
mysteriously raising the body OF
woman he bad seemingly hypnotized,
Frederick c. Hicks. custodian of alien
property. slumped down in his seat
in the Belasco Theater last night and
died before medical aid could he sum-
moned. Death was ascribed to acute
Utilization OF the heart.
The fatal attack struck Mr.. Hicks
near the end of the first act. AL
ways interested in the performances
of magicians. he had gone to the
theater alone and occupied an aisle
seat in the seventh row of the orches-
ira. Mr.. Thurston was reaching the
climax Of one of his most eerie num-
berS.
Having apparently hypnotiZed a
young woman, he proceeded to raise
her from her couch by sheer force of
his own Will and commanded her to
float In midair above the stage 1t
was just at the point where the body
seemingly foated up and down on
nsthinG- but air that Mr.. Hicks fell
fpr&ard in his seat.
Dies I'm Darkness.
Arthur Lane. the house manager,
was dli'ts a Id ltl WI t1l'NS
died IN the arms Of Mr.. Lane, while
the thea ter--Was completely darkened
in preparation for the magician's next
number With the assistance OF sew
erai usher- the bsd1 was carried from
the auditorium through the orchestra
pit to a lounge room below the the
alter.
: M excitement attended the tragedy
and only few persons near Mr..
knew Of II, Those nearest the
stricken man merely believed him Ill
and quietly notified the house officials
1t is believed that none Of the the
ater's patrons learned OF Mr.. Hicks
death, although he succumbed while
still In the auditorium.
Mr.. Hicks wife and his daughter,
Georgina Hicks, were at their home
at I'LL Massa chusetts avenue. They
Were notified from Emergency Hospi-
tai, where the body had been taken,
and were Frustrated upon reaching
the hospital. Both We're so deeply
shocked by the tragedy that il was
necessary TO put them under the care
of physicians.
A son. Frederick c. Hicks, 4 years
old, also survives him.
~ Served in Congress.
. Born in Westbury. y. Y, Mr.. Hicks
was graduated from the public
schools and later took his degree I
Swarthmore College. In 1893 he was
era duated in law from Harvard Uni
yersity. His first attempt TO win
a seat In Congress failed but he tried
again apd succeeded two years later.
He then represented the first district of
New York for four successive terms.
serving for time on the naval af-
fairs committee. resigning after the
ixty-seventh Congress
Mr.. Hicks was appointed custodian
OF alien property by President Cool
idge last April. succeeding Thomas
w. Miller. Prior to that he had been
appointed to the diplomatic mission
to Peru, in 1924, and in the last DO
Htical campaign had charge of the
Eastern headquarters of the Repub-
mean national committee. He was a
member OF the Friends Church
Mr.. Hicks business interests all
centered around Port Washington,
Long Island, which he considered his
legal residence. 'He was a director
or two banks and a trust COMPANY
there. and also held directorshfp in
the Glen CoveaInsurance Co. and the
Sea Coast Realty Co.
he was a member OF the New York
Yacht Club, Union League and Re.
publican Club OF New York the
Chevy Chase, Burning Tree and tho
metropolitan Clubs of this city.
The funeral proba bly, will be Thurs.
day, from the residence.