The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-23

1.-The greatest comeback In
history" is the description to
the career Of Hicks, who, from
a penniless prisoner, has be-
come a millionaire, has sur
mounted the difficulties that
come to those whose mistakes
invite suspicion, has risen
above any obstacle not only to
fortune, but to the deep respect
and highest regard of all.
Tonight Hicks retires from the
editorship of the Speciality Sales
man, the magazine founded for the
purpose of exposing mail order
frauds and imposition upon the
helpless and the needy. Its
phenomenal success has made him
a millionaire and more than a
millionaire.
Wants Freedom From Care
At 10 he wants a little freedom
from care and perhaps wider
scope for his. purposes than that
afforded by his very successful
magazine.
Hicks will listen tonight to the
praise of men who come from afar
to pay him tribute. He himself, per-
haps, will not hear the words, but
will let his memory dwell upon a
career that marks him as the
greatest living proof that no man
can be downed by circumstances If
he is possessed of the will and the
courage and the purpose to conquer
and make good.
The real career of Hicks started
on a day when, as youth in Mis-
souri,, he sent away a quarter for a
concoction guaranteed to grow,
within three weeks, a luxuriant
mustache.
Mustache Mark of "CIass"
In those days such hirsute en-
bellishment was a mark of distinc-
ton and the youth whose silky hair
above his upper lip was the long
est was the most popular.
The Vigorous application of the
mustache- producer resulted in a
sore lip, not hair. And family
doctor volunteered an analysis Of his
purchase. It could be bought for a
dime bucket.
Hicks resented the fact that he
had been stung. He likewise caught
the idea that if he could be trimmed,
other boys also might fall, and he
went into the business, sending out
his circulars with pictures of men
with villianous rnustaches and guar
anteeing sure duplicates to all who
sent their quarters. 1t was q
profitable venture.
His agile mind conceived of other
schemes and he embarked upon q
career that was always veering
slightly before the winds of the law,
making money at times, at others
losing it, but always increasing the
sales of postage stamps by his
methods and his wares.
Anthony Comstock, famous vice
crusader of New York, saw some
thing sinister in one of his enter
prises and obtained warrant for
his arrest.
F1ees to Europe
There was a conviction. But
Hicks at that time was rich and saw
no pleasure for himself behind bars
He jumped his bond and sailed for
Europe, visiting foreign capitals,
finally losing his identity and in
day when passports we're not re-
quired, again returned to this coun-
try, depleted in capital, but safe
from detection.
It required journey to the very
depths before there came the re-
bound. And one night, down in the
slums, he heard the appeal of
mission singer and crawled into the
warm, stuffy room to listen to pray
ers and exhortations.
That night the soul Of Bob Hicks
threw off the encasement of hard
ness and he found himself.
He started a little printing shop
and, at nights, was a volunteer
worker and preacher in the mission
which had salvaged him.
But conscience always prodded
and one night he decided that he
would serve the prison sentence
which he had evaded. He called
upon Comstock. The prison to which
he had been sentenced no longer
was in existence. 1t required, much
against the advice of federal auth