Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-09-28

DEATH OF S. TRAvERs PHILLIPS.

..
Last night about O'Clock the city was
startled with the report on the streets that
Capt S. Travers Phillips, one OF the most
popular of our younger citizens, had been
shot, and been found lying in bed, dead.
His room was in Mozart Hall, and on
reaching there our reporter found the re-
port too true. The apartments consisted
of a chamber, which opened into a bath
room. Over the marble wash-stand hung
a photograph of imperial size OF a lovely
girl, and on the wall was photograph of
a group of school girls, another group of
Capt. Phillips male friends, and above
them a large picture. On table, covered
with books, lay his vest with his watch in
the pocket, and on the bookcase was rest
ing a mirror, which he appeared to have
placed there while dressing. On the bed
lay the body, lying on the back. He had
evidently gotten up and dressed, except
vest and coat, and lying down again had
with single barrel Derringer pistol
been shot through The head, the ball en-
tering about two inches above the right
ear and lodging there. What was most
remarkable was that his hands, one con-
tanning the pistol, were crossed quietly
over his breast; his hair was brushed
smooth, and there was not a rumple in the
smooth, white shirt front. He had not
| moved muscle since firing the shot. The
face looked up to the ceiling, with the
eyes half closed. Coroner Harlan, who
hoJ boop cont for Summoned q iurv non,
posed of the following gentlemen: a. II.
Fultz, foreman; S. M. Yost DR.. N. Wayt,
| r. w. Burke, Jas. T. Byers and David E.
| Strasburg, and the following evidence was
taken:
DR.. B. M. Atkinson testified that about
| a quarter of I o'clock he was sent for and
arriving found the deceased lying on his
back in bed, cold and stiff, evidently having
oeen dead some hours. He WAS laying
| straight with his heels together. His
| hands were crossed On his breast and
| single barreled Derringer pistol lying UNI
| der his hands. There was a large hole IN
| his skull two inches above his right ear,
from which had exuded blood and brains
which were held in a puddle above his
| shoulders, showing that he had not moved
since the shot was discharged. The blood
| ran from his mouth and ears. The pillow
| by the head and in a few inches of the hole
in his head Was stained with burnt pow
der. OBSERVED that the forefnger and
thumb of the right hand were blackened
as if with burnt powder.
j. G. Thorn testified, that he and
the deceased went down town about
O'Clock Wednesday afternoon; in search
of a newspaper. They stopped at
hardware store, (McIlhany's,) whers Mr..
Phillips purchased some cartridges for
breech loading Derringer. They then went
over to the American Hotel for the paper,
when Mr.. Phillips left him. Detected
nothing Unusual in Mr.. Phillips manner.
Anderson Lewis, colored, testified that
he waited on MI. Phillips room, which
locked with d night latch, Of which witness
also had key. Went in at II O'Clock yes
terday to clean up and found deceased still
lying on the bed, saying he had headache
and did not think he would get up till din
ner time. About O'Clock yesterday even
=
latter had been to dinner, and being told
no, went over and unlocked the door and
went in; called deceased and getting no all
swer, struck match and saw MIN dead on
the bed; was so frightened that he ran out
and pushed the door to after him, and then
ran over to the Institute and told Rev. Mr..
Phillips who sent him Immediately for DR..
Atkinson. Since Mr.. Phillips return from
Richmond, few days ago, he had not
looked himself, and would sit about the
room looking stupid. The room of the de-
ceased was locked when he went there both
times.
FL. Fl. Fowle testified that Wednesday
afternoon Capt. Phillips was at Bumgard-
ner's warehouse and drew out a Derrin-
ger (the same which caused his death,)
saying it wanted cleaning it having been
loaned out for some time and cutting
rammer out of wood, cleaned and oiled it.
Some one suggested that single barreed
pistol was not much use now, when every
body used revolvers, and Capt. 2. replied
that his carried large ball and he would.
be sorry for anybody that got it in them,,
The conversation turning on the Harri--
sonburg execution some one remarked he.
had rather be the man that had been
hanged than those still under sentence.
Capt. Z. said he would rather be the man
who had month to live-that nobody
feared the mere act Of death but what was
to come after and quoted Hamlet's solilo-
a ~,
Saw nothing unusual in Mr.. Phillips man.
her. Knew he had not been well since
bis return from Richmond
Coroner Harlan said he had seen Capt.
P. at the Virginia Hotel Wednesday night
about 10 o'clock. where the deceased had
ust lett his card Tor a friend from Lewis
TO-, W. Va. The deceased started for
lome bidding him good night,
The coroners jury returned a verdict
hat IS. Travers Phillips came to his death
between IL O'Clock and o'clock P, NJ. of
his, the 9th day. of September, 1877. and
mat his death vas caused by pistol shot
wound from pistol in his own hand.,
Ills most intimate friends who know his
habits we'll and his earelessness with fire.
rms, think that after getting VI, and
resslng for dinner he was lying On the
ed examining the newly cleaned pistol
VhseA It exploded and caused his death.
. IraVers Phillips was about 20 years
Il age, ana was a son OF the Rev. r.. FL.
2hllllps. tie was a young man of Remark
by brilliant mind, and had already filed
he Important post of Commonwe ,,th,s
Attorney of the city. He was a. man of
indy heart, high courage and a fine