The New York herald., 1873-10-12
SAD DEATH OF AN EX-UHiTED STATES
CONSUL.

He Cuts His Throat at q broadway Ho-
tel in n Fit OF Despondency-Pecunia
Embarrass cnt tine Cause.
The inmates OF the Crittenden House, ], IA Broad.
way, were startled yesterday morning about nine
O'Clock by the announcement that one OF the gen.
tlemen bOarders had committed suicide by cutting
his own throat. The report was true and the VIC
tim proved to be Mr.. Augustus E. Phillips, gen.
teman nearly fortyeight years OF age. and native
OF Providence, II. |. For some months past Mr..
Phillips. with his wife, an accomplished Cuban lady,
has occupied room on the fourth floor Of the
above named hotel. while he kept his office
(dentaD in the house Of his kind and particular
friend, DR.. N. w. Kingsley No. 25 West Twenty
seventh street. For some time past business with
Mr.. Phillips, and upon which he depended for
support, has been very bad indeed, which had the
effect OF depressing his spirits to an unusual de-
gree AS his means vanished and dependence
upon his friends and the public seemed inevitable,
Mr.. Phillips became extremely nervous, losing his
appetite and being unable to sleep. He took NOR
phne and other opiates to quiet his nerves, but
without the desired effect, and as as he seemed to
get worse instead or better, he was ad-
vised to- and did, pitch his medicines into the
street. Among other books which Mr. Phillips
attempted to read on Friday afternoon was
work on anatomy and his wife thought it strange
that he should be thus engaged but the tragic act
which so speedily followed clearly showed the mo.
tive tive which , PROMPTED MN 20 p peruse the work at
plated sef-destruction and wished to learn the
best and most certain method Oh terminating an
existence which had become intOlerable Yester-
day morning Mr.. Phillips arose feverish and ex-
cited, and, being conscious that he had no money
to pay his room rent, then due he expressed fears
OF trouble to his wife, Dut she endeavored
to quiet him. He said he had not even money
enough to buy their breakfasts, but Mrs.
Phillips told him she had some money she took
from his pockets several days ago. At that tune
Mrs. Phillips started down stairs to get her break.
last, and upon returning few minutes later with
cup OF coffee for her husband, she was horrined,
on opening the door, to ind him lying on the floor
unconscious with the blood gushing from ghastly
was instantly summoned, out without effect, as
death ensued In few moments afterwards Find.
log himself alone in the room, Mr.. Phillips hastily
seized his razor, and, drawing 1t across his
throat severed the jugular vein. Phillips
at the time OF committing the deed stood In front
OF the mirror then on the bureau, which was
covered with blood also the ornaments and the
carpet Mr.. Phillips dropped the razor, and, stag
gering some ten feet towards the door, sunk from
exhaustion and died as stated above.
Coroner keenan, was notified, and gave permiss
sion to remove the remains from the hotel. The
relatives and friends took charge OF the body for
lnterment.
Some years ago Mr.. Phillips was appointed
United States Consul to Santiago de Cuba by the
present administration. and acted in that capacity
till March 8, 1872, when, becoming obnoxious to q
portion OF the people, he was mobbed and driven
from the country, whereupon he returned to New
York with his vile. mr.. Phillips subsequently
brought q suit against the Spanish government for
time he was forced from the country; but the mat
ter remained unsettled at the time OF his death.
Much fault has been found with General GRANTS
administration by several powerful journals of this
Mr.. Phillips at the hands OF the Spanish govern.
ment.