The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-26
OOFTY GOOFT BETTER.
The Woman VIII Not Deny that she q. Mr.
Mooper, Hroolelyn'a HennIIfnI PrIsoner.


Mrs. Mary Hooper, who shot Augustus
PHILLIPS. better known Hs "Oofty Gooft," on
Thursday evening. refused 10 see any ono yes
terday. She kept her cot In the New York Hos
Dltal all day. und sent down word that she had
nothing whatever to say about hor identity
or past life Tho hospital attendant added that
Mrs. Hooper did not deny nor admit that she is
the same woman who WIS arrested in Brooklyn
and subsequently confined in the Kings County
Penitentary for stealing $4,000 worth Of dia-
monds that belonged to tho members Of the
family OF VIM. II. Delaney of Brooklyn. She
shows the marks Of tho struggle that she had
with Phillius. or would IL tho bandnges that
swa,ho her face and head wcre removed. To
tho attendant she said that she belonged to a
very respectable family. and that she did not
desire 10 hive them disgraced by the exposure
Of hcr present trouble. MIRA Hoopcr met Phil
lipe, II If said, soon aitor her roleasc from the
pCnitentinry.
At tue tine Of her trial. in December 1877.
cnmo Interested In her story. There was no
Ionh about the theft. She had been visitor IN
with her maid. The diamonds were missed
Vfter abe went away. und they wero found in her
possession when sho wgs arrested, Il few days
n,terward. In Taylors Hutcl in Jersey Cay.
Mrs. Hooper was very indignant when arrested.
Sho said that she Ind takcn the diamonds rs
security for money loaned to DELANEY but ON
trial she failed to mako any satisfactory de-
fence. and was sentenced to the pen tentiary for
year. Her beauty and her polished manners
created much sympathy Tor her. and powerful
Influences were brought to bear In mitig CATION OF
her sentence. I, awaited as fnr ns ~ effect her
release threo months before the year had been
In tho Penitcntiary shc was pvt 10 work In tho
hhoe-shop but shc manifnsted Mysteries and
the physician. fearing that sha might be caught
IN the machinery in ono of her attucks. ordered
her 10 tho hospital whore sho was put in charge.
Sh" won the sympathes ~ many wc.l-known
looking "A
beauty in distress. called upon hcr in state.
Her tblr WIS rarely without flowers. the gilt Of
some OF her admirers. strong effort was
made 10 g.t pardon for her. and although
many well. nown residents OF Boston and
many Brooklyn officials Joined In the petition.
II was not successful She WAS careful Of her
good behavior and gentle demeHnOr 10 the
prison ON 'lals and 70 tho visitors nevertheless
she was surprised one day slnok ing n clay pipe
as though she rclished 1t. Her husband wrote
her many anrrtionate letters from California.
and expected her to Join him after her relcase.
Mrs. Hooper knew Phillips before her arr .st
tur stealing. and il said TO have met him ~ IN
9arlicE hsr release, and agreed t, live with him.
where she shot Phillips. they pnssed as husband
and wife. but the landIndy soon discovered that
NE house n porc"lnin photograph Of Mrs.
Hooper. which was one of the few ornaments in
the room occupied by the two. which represents
hct IS a beautiful woman. richly dressed. aud
nnrienci with diamonds AMI icwCiry Her
bla'h cyrS. Well developed ignre and dark hair
are r. produced on the porcelain with such Ell 1t
as L. make a PORTRAIT that would bc at once siu-
glri cut fur its beauty
Mrs. looper's history was told fully Mt the
timc oi nor arrest AMI trial IN Brooklyn. She
II a lh hilnd.lDhlgn by birth. and her faith, T. il
s said. stili livce therc. Her maiden uurnc was
Andrews. She was educated ia acanNcnt near
BOSTON. After leaving the convent her beauty
attracted much attention 10 her. aud she had
mnny suuors. So murrird Henry ". Potter a
tobacco merchant 81 New YORK. about niteen
years ago. when she was about 20 years OF age
and She lived with him In Boston for several
ye1rs. Everything that she could wish was
provided tor her. hut her husband could not
restrain her from questionable conduct. and he
got divorce. Subsequently fho married VIM
". Hooper mn iron merchant q. Is lstOn, and Il
y said. ruined him 10y her eX'raNag.nt habits
~ wont tQ son. Then she wat ~ Brooklyn.
whore abe had made frsni willie Mrr. Potter
and Mr.. Delaney from whom sno stole the dig-
% lnds. nnd Who had known her n tho beautiful
vito O.! Nj. hDtter lut nothing o.! her history
invited her ~ visit himself AMI his wifr.
When Mr.. Hooper first went to live with
fitli.ts hr had "a ONO sufficient to hire ci,-
giant furnished hhis in a ftshi enable street up
tnwh. but she md he spent money rccslcssY
while they had II. and soon were obliged 10 20
10 more humble apartments IN Sixteenth street
Phillips wis better yesterday. Although not
out ~ danger. he has. II IS thought. n fnir
chance Tor recovery. Tho bullet Was not found
Yesterday. Phillips called tor the morning
newspapers and rrud the account ~ his trouble
for while hnt. before finishing. sank back on
his cot exhausted. and soon tell asleep.