Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-10
A MILLIONAIRE WISER.


Dr. Philip L. Jones, q wealthy mser of &c.
centric habits, was found dead In the bath.
room OF his house in Brooklyn last Wednesday.
He was at one time physician of considerable
prominence, but. according to neghbors. no
human being had been allowed to go inside his
residence for years. He was seventy years of
age, and is reported to have been worth over
| 81 ,OOO, 900.
From papers found In his possession, II was
shown that he owned tracts of land I'm Oregon
Arizona and Dakota, and was the proprietor OF
building lots in Michigan, Delaware and Min
| nesOta. He owned also considerable property
In Norwich, Conn, while among his effects were
found bonds and securities representing over
800, 600 1t was found upon further investi.
CATION that DR.. Jones had bought property In
President street. that is two three-stOry and
basement Philadelphia brick-front houses
about ten years ago. He had rented one Of
them over twenty years ago and deposited .
portion Of the purchase money upon it within
one month after he had hired it.
Just after he moved In his wife died, and then
he seemed to be an utterly changed man. He
dismissed his housekeeper and lived alone. He
used to go to bakers store near by and buy
live cents worth OF rolls. These would last him
most OF the day and what other meals he would
have he would purchase at restaurants. 1t was
also his custom about midnight every day to
get an oyster supper. He never deviated from
this practice.
The eccentric old doctor was known in the
nelghborhood In which he lived better than the
baker or the groceryman. but about his own
business he was dumb. Not word ever es-
capped him. While he would make and meet
friends outside he never invited them to his
house. His closest companion never crossed
his doorstep. There had been strange stories
told of his mode Of life, and when policeman
from the third precinct was sent down to take
charge Of the house he was afraid to penetrate
into the rooms. because 1t was said that spring
guns and all sorts of explosives were secreted
in them. Whether this was Imagined from the
doctors conversation Is not known, but when
reporter visited the house he saw in the hall
way q large number Of wires and cords myster-
iOusly arranged. He found that in any room
of the house DR.. Jones could either open or
close the door by use Of these wires He had
also an electric apparatus connected with every
doOr-knob, by which q thief or an intruder
could, at his Will, be paralyzed 90 to speak
In his parlor were nothing but a gas stove
an easy chair, some very ancient furniture and
piles OF newspapers arranged In methodical
heaps and representing about two tons ofwaste
material. The mantcl-piece and O desk In ON
corner were covered with dust. The old mans
bed. on the second floor was Of solid mahogany,
at least nifty years old. rs far - construction
was concerned, and perfect marvel OF carving.
His furniture was thrown all In . heap, and
Coroner Keller saw to II that policemen from
the third precinct were detailed 70 take charge
Mr. Ferdinand w. Jones, arrived. The cor.
oner's deputy searched the clothing Of the dead
man. found some keys, eos In money and Q
bundle Of letters, every one OF them relating to
financial matters
The remains were given in charge Of the un-
dertaker. and IN autopsy has settled that death
was caused BY rheumatism Of the heart.