The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-12-24
DEMEANOR OF
BOY KIDNAPER
is CHANGING,


with the news that Cramer was con.
fined in Jail.
"Well, this must be some trick of
the man know, as. Cramer to get
me in bad" he hazarded. "Per-
haps he thought of this long time
back. ! only knew him by the name
of Cramcr. Perhaps he assumed the
name of a man in jail>to double
cross me-"
Yes, but Cramer knows you," an
officer suggested.
eyes; and know Cramer," the
youth retOrted.
"Thc entire thing Is 50 impossi-
ble;-so utterly impossible" he fin
ished.
Only when confronted by evidence
newly discovered by police in their
increasing cndeaver to conclusively
pin the murder upon him did the
blank expression leave Hickman's
face.
The prisoner went to sleep early
last night closely guarded,
Many officers have expressed the
belief that Hickman alone was re-
sponsible both for the kidnapping
and the mutilation.
Hickman welcomed the Rev. Rob-
bins, Baptist minister, on his first
visit to the cell, and asked that he
return again. Tom Gurdane, one Of
Hickman's captors, accompanied the
minister into the cell. The pastor
talked on religious matters with the
boy, leaving a little red booklet
"about a fellow that was in the
same fix I am" Hickman later ex-
planned.
Reporters Visit Him
When the minister departed, Cur
dane was approached by newspaper
men with the request for a half hour
talk with the prisoner.
There were eight or 10 persons
grouped in a semi-circle around
Hickman's cell. He was sitting on
the cell cot, reading the red PAM
phlet.
'Do you mind telling US what you
are reading, Hickman" he was
asked.
cts a book about fellow that
was in the same fix I'm in" he re.
piled, looking up at his interroga-
tor.
HE was helped by God"
Hickman turned again to his
booklet, and was talking of relig-
ion, as If speaking to himself, when
Gurdanc announced the interview
was over.
Dr., w. D. McNary, psychiatrist
and superintendent of the Eastern
Oregon Asylum for the insane, Wis
tied Hickman and listened to his
Does Not Appear Insane
II observed him from q medical
and professional viewpoint" the
doctor said, land saw nothing out
of the ordinary about him. His
mind seemed clear and he told
straight, coherent story. He was
never at q loss for words. There
was nothing about him to indicate
While Hickman slept last night,
one Of the fastest trains on the Pa
cific coast sped northward to Port
land. carrying the men who direct
ed the nationwide search for the
fugitive, and the man who will d.
rect his prosecution in the courts
Of Los Angeles county. They were
Chief Of Police Davis and Chief Of
Detectives Herman Cline Of Los
Angeles, the directors in what has
been called the greatest man hunt
in the west, and Asa NJ. Reyes, dis.
trict attorney Of Los Angeles coun-
ty. They were due to arrive today.
Insists He Tells Truth
"Under the California law you
face death for what you already
confessed" Hickman was told to-
II can't help it." replied Hickman.
He spoke steadily and with appar.
ent frankness. =
II have told the truth. will feel
better to go that way than to have
to tell . lie"
Hickman displayed considerable
apprehension on being informed Of
the approach Of California officers
who are to return him to Los An
geles. He asked questions about
the probable length Of time before
his trial and was interested in get
ting information concerning court
procedure.
Would Conduct Own Defense
Hickman expressed The wish to be
able to conduct his own defense. He
had been reading in the newspapers
Of the Remus trial Ct Cincinnati
and Indicated that he would like ia
try his hand as m attorney. He
showed ignorance Of court procedure,
however.
4 Forsseeing . grilline when he Il
taken into custody by the Los An
geles authorities he asked questions
shout members Of the official party.
He said be had heard about District
Attorney Asa n. Reyes and HER
man Cline, chief Of detectives, and
seemed 70 be, mastering his forces
to match wits with those o1ficGrs.
q Civilized life reached it's first
etaals il about 1000 =, G. soon Alter
En4 rC8IHG6 = 49, m MI $50. IN go