Suicide notes found on the body of A. R. Driskell, grandfather of Welby Hunt, Los Angeles, 1927-1928

Item Overview

Title

Suicide notes found on the body of A. R. Driskell, grandfather of Welby Hunt, Los Angeles, 1927-1928

Date Created

[1927 or 1928]

Publisher

Los Angeles Times

Language

English

Collection

Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection

Notes

Description

Suicide notes found on the body of A. R. Driskell, grandfather of Welby Hunt, accomplice with William Edward Hickman in the murder of pharmacist C. Ivy Toms. The handwriting was not analyzed when Driskell took his life (May 25, 1927), but his relationship to Hunt and Hickman brought his death into question during the C. Ivy Toms murder investigation and trial (1927-1928). Both Welby Hunt and William Hickman are referenced in the notes. Initial handwriting comparisons suggested that not all the notes were written by Driskell. An investigation led by George Contreras, chief investigator for the District Attorney's office, concluded that the death was a suicide.
Related to the article, "Hickman Trial Forces Line Up: Insanity Defense Offered; Hearing the 25th Inst.," Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 1928: A1.

Caption

Text from negative sleeve: Hickman, William Edward
Text on notes, left to to right, top to bottom: [1] Should any one pick me up you can call phone 3971-Alhambra. I am A. R. Driskell After 6 am Phone 446J. [2, documents payments and balances for March, April and May 1st with some indecipherable text. Portion of text in lower right corner reads:] These are payments on new notes of Hickmans that are not [indecipherable] (not at bank). [3] Dear [indecipherable] & Welby – Forgive me I can stand it no longer God bless you be a good boy Welby [indecipherable]. [4] …taxes [indecipherable] are all – due & past due – also interest to [indecipherable] you will find statements on money [indecipherable] & bank book. Sell the home if you can and pay the balance and live in all [indecipherable] [signature]. [5] Should you find me call my wife 2424 Birch St Phone 446J Mrs M. C. Driskell I am desperate that you will find me in same just above bridge [6] On Colorado Bridge – I am so sorry for Welby but what can I do. God bless you dear Welby [indecipherable] just above where you find me I have [indecipherable] could not stand the [indecipherable]. [7] My name AR Driskell 2600 W Main in Alhambra Phone 3971.
Handwritten on negative: Specimens of writing found on the body of A. R. Driskell

Physical Description

Extent

1 photograph

Medium

b&w nitrate negative

Keywords

Genre

cellulose nitrate film
notes
news photographs

Subjects

Suicides--California--Los Angeles

Names

Driskell, Abner R., b. 1866 or 67-1927
Hickman, William Edward, 1908-1928
Hunt, Welby Leeson, 1911-1995

Location

Los Angeles (Calif.)

Resource type

still image