Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-02
DICKINSON SLAIN
IN ROBBERY ride"
Killed Because dead Men
Tell No Tales" 3 Girls
Say in GriIling.
Nv tho Associated Press.

Nv the Associated Press.
DETROIT. July Howard Carter
Dickinson. slain New York attorney,
dined and drank with his killers and
pajd their dinner check few hours
before they shot him to death in a rob-
berry. it was disclosed today in the last
of a series of confessions made by
william Lee Ferris and his three
party girls" companions.
Early this morning Prosecutor Dun
can c. McCrea reported that he had
fitted together the last pieces of the
puzzle picture of Dickinson's murder,
drawing from three screaming, half
hysterical girls the admission that
I'VE decided to kill him" because
dead men tell no tales"
The complete absence of feeling,
which police questioners reported as
stunning. marked each confession, they
said. as it came forth in greater detail
during the night from Ferris and his
companions. Loretta and Florence
jackson, burlesque dancers, and Jean
Miller.
Miller Girl Breaks.
The story that Dickinson, we'll
eroomed. wealthy appearing counselor,
was taken for ride" and killed for
his money, came first from the Miller
girl. Fighting off hysteria through
hours of questioning, Prosecutor Nc
Crea said she finally blurted out that
Ferris killed their victim and that the
girls rified the pockets of clothing for
money.
Confronted with her admission, Nc
Crea said Ferris broke down and told
what the prosecutor said he thought
was the whole story"
But it was from Florence Jackson
that McCrea reported obtaining the
details of the intrigue which he said
linked the quartet in the murder.
Loretta, Bill and myself talked
about taking Dickinson out when We
we're in Bills room Tuesday night"
McCrea quoted her as saying N her
statement.
Suggested Rolling Him.
I'VE all agreed that Dickinson had
. lot of money and that we ought
tn get a lot from him. Bobbie
tLoretta) and I suggested rolling him,
but Bill said it might be hard
thing to do. He was against it be-
cause he was afraid that Dickinson
might talk. We then suggested knock
ing him out. but Bill said that was
too dangerous because he would be
able to talk when ne came to and
would be able to identify us.
He thought the only thing for
was some argument about that, but
we finally decided to let Bill get
his gun and we'd take him out.
I'VE decided to kill him"
In describing the plot Florence said
they arranged to signal Ferris when
they thought the time was ripe for
the robbery. I'VE laid plans for the
signals" McCrea quoted her IS say
ing, with Jean included in the plans.
Then we didn't tax much more about
them Wednesday night, because Dick
inson came up and we had dinner
with him"
Met in Dining Room.
The prosecutor said Ferris described
how he and the Jackson sisters
struck up an acqus intance with Dick
inson in the dining room of hotel
last Tuesday night, decided he had
money. and made date with him
for Wednesday night. The Miller
girl Joined the Darty that night.
Riding through Rouge Park after
Wednesday night the four had con-
sumed a quart of whisky and played
nickel poker in Ferris hotel room.
McCrea quoted Ferris as saying the
girls asked to get out of the car.
Then put the gun on Dickinson"
said Ferris. according to McCrea. He
wouldn't put his hands up, so I let
him have it. The gun went off a sec
ond time as was pulling Dickinson's
coat and vest off"
The girls told the prosecutor that
before Dickinson died. he said: You're
a damn fool. You kids are making q
mistake"
$40 in Wallet.
McCrea said that Florence told him
In her confession that she and Jean
'gra bbed for the coat and vest"
We didn't find any money in the
vest. But Jean took the wallet out of
the coat pocket and took out small
book. There was sl4 in the book.
Jean counted out sl20 she took from
the wallet.
Bill said: That's hell of a small
amount to kill man for. I thought
there'd be some sos in there. But he
won't talk any more"
McCrea said he did not plan any
speedy court action against the quar-
tet. I'm not going to rush this" he
SAD. I'm getting lust what I want"