Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-22
FELL PEACEFULLY ASLEEP.
Auntie Phillips, One of Abilene
Pioneers, Is Dead.

Pioneers, Is Dead.
One by one the historic characters
Of Abilene are passing away and as
those who were prominent in early
days are called into the other world il
makes the pioneer timea of Abilene
seem farther removed iniothe rsst.
Monday night, just before midnight,
Margaret Phillips, better known as
Auutie Phillips, died ut the rome Of
her niece, Mrs. G. W. e. Rohrer, after
a weeks illness. She had been feeble
for some months but her marvellous
will power kept alive the spark Of life.
She was born in Arcadia (now Newark
Wayne county, New York, Jan. II,
1912, thus being little more than 50
years of age. L. 1929 she married
Joel Phillips, who died in lSi9 She
had three children, Thomas X, Joel
and Emily. The first died IN 1875,
joel In 1875 and Emily at three years
Of age. Her nearest relatives are her
niece, Mrs. Rohrer; her half brother,
Major W. J. Winfield, of Kansas City;
and her niece 10y marriage, Mrs. r. W
Hicks, of Palmyra, N, Y, now visiting
here.
| Auntie Phillips arrived in Abilene
Oct. 2, 1868. She was one Of the first
members Of the Presbyterian church
aud the only one who had brought her
letter at that time. She has been u
faithful member since. She gave the
first tea party Ia Abilene and has long
been respected and esteemed, not alone
for her personal worth and admirable
qualities Of head and heart but because
of her long identification with the
city's history.
MIS-. Phillips, aside from having
become well and most favorably known
as one of tie first and Oldest citizens of
Abilene and one Of its first and most
CONSTANT church workers, was more
or less historic character because of
the part her son Thomas played in the
early history of Kansas.
We have no detailed or accurate his
tory of this son. III general way
however, II is known that when a lad
many years before Aunlie Philips came
west, Thomas disappeared. lie came
weet and became stage driver ON the
plains OF Kansas, and among the noun
tains OF the west. He became noted
among the mon Of his time and calling
Tor courage and good Judgment in the
trials and dangers of frontier lite and
Indian troubles. Many of his doings
and sayings are yet told aud repeated
by those who knew him In those days
1t is said that on one OCCASION where ht
had u military escort for his stage
sorAe Of tue soldiers and officers talked
of having a chase after buffalo. Ton
was very small man, not above five
feet four inches tall, but from the boot
Of the stage lie called to them, "YOu
fellows had better stay with me or somt
of you may get hurt" His advice was
not needed and several of the soldier,
lost their lives,
Shortly before aud during the early
months of the war, Thomas spent
much Of his time about Leavenworlh
aud became known as captain Crick
o., ~ aud by this name he will be- re'
membered by the early settlers. In
1867 he settled at what Ia now Abilene
aud for the first time since leaving
home communicated with his mother
then IA widow, and she and his brother
Joel came to him here where all have
lived and died. The great kindnes,
Of this somewhat strange family ioI
each other was always remarked by
those who knew them.
For many Yeas au annual gathering
Of The wives OF the early settlers hat
been held on Jan. l7lh, in honor Of
Mrs. Phillips birthday anniversary and
AuDtie has always been not only The
chief guest, but the most CHEEKY OF
them all on such occasions. Nor wat
this less true when tue last of these
birthday parties was held only a month
ago at the home Of Mrs. ROhrer. Sin.
cere sOrr0w Is felt in many homes OF
Abilene today over Auntie Phillips
death. 1t will DO to many The passing
Of a neiRbOr and near friend,