Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-10-02
A SORROwFUL OCCURRENCE.

CORNONER'S INQUEST AND VERDI -.
TONS BY THE BAR-FUNERAL CEREMONIES
&C.
A thrill of the deepest sorrow filled the hearts
of the whole people Of this city when it was an
nounced on Thursday evening that S. Iravefs
Phillips had been found dead in his room at
Mozart Hall. He was universally beloved Dy
all who knew him and the sudden and unac-
countable mode of his death increased the GRIEF
and sorrow of all over his untimely loss.
The facts. as far as known, of this SAD nap
rening are given below in the evidence taken
before the Coroner's jury.
He was in his 10Th year. Having graduated
in law at the Unive rsity OF Virginia, In 1857 ne
came to the bar here and soon rose to that
eminence in the profession which his unusuaf-
ly high intellectual endowments entitled him
to. In 1870 he was elected Commemorative
Attorney for the City of Staunton and filled
that position with marked ability and with
great credit to himself and city. He was a man
of the noblest instincts, honorable, high-toned
and chivalrous, and of the deepest attachment
to his friends, by whom in return he was most
devotedly loved.
For the past several months he had been max
ing preparations to go to California to begin q
new career, and looked forward with the bright
est hopes to his success. On the night previous
to his death he was talking to friend in the
most cheerful manner Of his trip and before 60
ing home made arrangements with him to go
to the Ball, which was to have come off at the
Virginia Hotel on the Friday night following.
This was the last time that he was ever seen
alive by ann of his friends. He remained in his
room the next morning and about II O'Clock
when the servant went to his room he COM
planned of headache and said he would not get
up until dinner time. When he returned about
half-past six he found him Iying-dead On his
bed with his hands folded across his breast, and
fully dressed with the exception Of coat and
vest.
His friends who knew him best and were
most intimate with him believe that he came
to his death by accident, the pistol being dis
charged in the act of removing it from his hip
pocket and placing it under his pillow. They
are strengthened in this belief for they
know of unreasonable cause which could lead
him to commit SO rash an act
THE CoRoNER's INQUEST.
AT Coroner's inquest, held before Coroner
Geo: Harlan, onithe body of S. Travers Bhillips,
at Mozart Hall, on Thursday, September 9th,
1877, the following jury, being first duly sworn,
enquired as to when how and by what means
the said s. Travers Phillips came to his death,
before whom the following testimony was
elicited:
ALEX. H. FULTZ, Foreman,
d. Z. STRASBURG,
S. NJ. YOST,
r. W, BURKE. Jurors.
JAS. T. BYERS.
DIR. N. WAYT.
DR.. B. NJ. Atkinson, being first duly sworn,
testified as follows:
Abont quarter to seven o'clock, Mr.. Phil
lfpss sarvant came to my house for me, and
came up and found the dead body of S. Travers
Phillips, having been dead long enough to be
stiff and cold, lying on his back, on his bed laid
ed on his breast, and a single barrelled Derrin-
ger Pistol lying under his hands, a large hole
in his skull, about two inches above the right
ear, from which had exuded a considerable
quantity of blood and brains, which was held
in puddle above his shoulder, showing that he
had not moved since it had been discharged
The blood which had run out from his nostrils,
mouth and ears had dried on his face. On the
pillow by his head, and within few inches of
the hole in the skull were the stains of burnt
powder. have no doubt that his death was
caused by pistol shot through the hole in his
skull. mentioned the stiffening of the body
and drying of the blood to MITIGATE that he must
have been dead several hours: observed that
the forefinger and thumb of his right hand were
blackened as if with powder. found no point
of exit of the ball.
B. M. ATKINSON.
Mr.. J. c. Thorn, being first duly sworn testi-
fled as follows:
On last evening, between and 5 o'clock Mr..
Phillips and went down street in pursuit OF
some newspaper information, and on our way
toward the American Hotel we called in at a
Hardware store nearlyoppoSite the Courthouse
gate, and after inquiring for a newspaper he
asked for some cartridges for breach-iOading
Derringer while they we're selecting them,
went to the front door and waited for him we
| then went to the American Hotel where he en-
| Quired for paper, and where he left me. Since
then / had not seen him until called to his
| room this evening, where l found him lying
| under circumstances described by DR.. Atkin-
| son. agree with DR.. Atkinson az to the cause
of his death.
| [Signedl ]. G. THoM.
i.Andrew Lewis, being first duly sworn, testi-
| fled as follows:
Yesterday evening met Mr.. Phillips on the
corner of the street at Messrs. Byers & Eakle's
Store, and he said to me. ANDY, want you to
I go into my wardrobe and get Mr.. Ed. Echols'
| black vest and take it home to him; you had
| better do it this evening" / did not see him
any more until about IL o'clock to-day. when
| I went to attend to his room, and he said to
| ANDY, amt going to get up yet, have a very
| bad headache, and will get up about dinner
| time" never saw him again until between
and o'clock this evening, when l went into
| his room and found him dead. The door was
| locked when went to the room and unlocked
| it; he had key to the room and had one also
| I Immediately went over to the Institute and
told his father, and he sent me at once after DR.
| Atkinson. When 1 went into his room at Il
| door is q night lock. never saw him with a
pistol.
| his
ANDREW ID LEWIS.
J~oiy, Rurr gE.1r facfi