THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Seventh Year, Marlin, Texas, Number 198
Saturday, November 2, 1907 - Page 1, Column 3 & 4

THE CRISWELL TRAGEDY

Few Developments -- Was Assault
to Murder and Suicide.

       There are no further developments in the Criswell tragedy.  The report given in Friday's Democrat is substantially the full facts as developed.  It was simply a case of assault to murder upon Mrs. Hickerson, followed by suicide.  The motive, if any, behind the assault on Mrs. Hickerson will ever remain unknown.  The most generally accepted theory is that Criswell was suffering from a temporary derangement of reason and that in this condition he sought to take the life of the estimable lady.  She has two very ugly wounds in the face and neck but without complications she will recover.
       The only additional information as to the circumstances immediately preceding the tragedy that comes to light is the fact that the pistol with which Criswell killed himself, was given to him by Mrs. Hickerson when he came to her house in response to the calls of herself and daughter.  This pistol had been left with them by John C. Criswell, father of Will Criswell, and was left there that they might protect themselves while Will Criswell while Will Criswell and wife, their nearest neighbors, were away from home.
       Mrs. Hickerson says that when Will came over in response to her request, that he appeared in the very best of humor, and that she requested him to remain in the house the rest of the night.  That she went into an adjoining room to prepare a bed for him and that while she ws in the act of arranging the bed that Will caught her head with one hand and with the other inflicted the wounds as previously described.  A bloody razor with gaps in it and a pocket knife were found on Criswell's person.  The pistol with which he shot himself was lying by his side.  A portion of his clothing, ignited by the explosion of the gun, had burned away.
       Dr. Baird, who was first called to attend the wounded lady, called in Dr. Allen and the two dressed the wounds and Mrs. Hickerson is now resting nicely.
       Justice Dashiell, County Attorney Connally and Sheriff Poole, conducted the investigation and are agreed as to finding of the court that it was a plain case of assault to murder and suicide on the part of young Criswell and further, that his mind was evidently unbalanced at the time.

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