The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-18
Marion Parker'S Slayer to
Pay for Crime With Life;
Calm on Last Day. i
CLOSE GUARD IS KEPT
Moved to Death House at
Night: ConvictS Shout
Farewell to Him.
BY GERALD P. OVERTON,
United Press STAFF Correspondent


SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON,
CAL, Oct. 18.-Alone with his con-
science in the old death cell of San
Quentin prison, William Edward
Hickman today watched with out
ward calm the passing of the few
hours of life left to him.
Shortly after 10 a. m. tomorrow,
Hickman will be led from the cell
over the last short path of San
Quentin's condemned and will
mount the scaffold to forfeit his
life in atonement for the murder Of
Marion Parker.
Hickman'S final farewells are said.
The only legal means that offers a
remote possibility of delaying the
hanging has been abandoned. There
remains for him but a little more
time to spend reading or writing
at small desk in the corner of the
condemned cage" and one moro
night of sleep on narrow cot in
the opposite corner.
Outside the cell, prison guards
keeping the death watch, march up
and down the corridor.
Taps Echoes His March
just as the last mournful notes
of taps sounded out over the walls
of San Quentin state prison last
night, Hickman started on his
march to the death house.
Lights in the long rows of prison
cells went out at 8 p. m.
A moment later Captain James
Carpenter of the prison guard
started down the balcony of the
second tier of cells on the south
side of the courtyard within the
walls of the prison.
Stopping at cell No. 20, Carpenter
swung the door open and called
Hickman out.
Hickman emerged from the cell
and preceded Carpenter along the
balcony and down one flight of
stairs to the ground.
Excitement spread throughout the
prison as word was whispered from
cell to cell that Eddie is taking his
walk up back"
COnviCts Cry Farewell
The murmur of many voices broke
the usual night stiffness of the
prison, and there were cries of fare
well to Hickman from within the
darkened cells as he passed swiftly
along the rows of doors.
Arriving, Hickman walked up
long flight of stairs on the outside
of the building, and as he reached
the landing at the top he caught
his last glimpse Of the world beyond
the prison walls.
On the way to the death house,
Hickman talked with the warden,
James Holohan, on commo. lplace
things and never for a moment
showed sign of fear, Holohan said
"He was one of the coolest men
it ever has been my lot to take 20
the death house" Holohan said.
AS soon as he entered the place
of doom. Hickman was weighed and
measured in preparation for hts
hanging.
wants 10 Dec NOLueI
He then was escorted to the cage
of the condemned in San Quentin,
a large cell in the death house with
walls of wooden Stats, through
which the guards watch the man in
side constantly.
Hickman stepped through the
door, then turned to the warden.
Il would like to see my mother"
he told Holohan.
The warden informed Hickman
that this request would be granted
if his mother arrived at the prison
today.
Removal of Hickman to the death
house was delayed for several hours
on a reLort that Mrs. Eva Hickman
Of Kansas City would come to San
Quentin to see her son.
Hickman made no other special
requests of the warden. He made
himself familiar with the furnish
ings of the room, a table, chair and
small cot.