The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-13
A SOCIAL SENSATION.
Serious Charge Against Senator
q Harris Private Secretary.
INDICTED BY THE GRAND JURY.

n n. Miiliken Charged with Entering the
House Of Ex-solicitor General Phillips
and Endcavoring to Chioroform Ono Of
Mr.. Phillips Daughters.
WARRINGTON, July Is. Tho grand jury
OF the District has returned an Indictment
against Benjamin Harrison Milliksn for
morly of Memphis, Tenn, young man
well known in official and social circles in
ehis city, and private secretary to Senator
Harris, of Tennessee, for house breaking
and felonious assault. The offense was
committed on tho night OF July 4, at
which time he was arrested and taken to
the station house, but was subsequently
released Two days later Milliken left the
city, and has not yet returned.
For some time past Milliken has been
q afrequent caller at tho house Of Ex. Solic-
ttor General Samuel II. Phillips, 1917
Rhode Island avenue. Mr.. Phillips has
two daughters, Gertrude and Nora, both
accomplished young ladies OF high char
actor, and to the former Milliken was es-
pecially attentive. Milliken was always
welcome at the house, as his character
was supposed to be Of the best. On the
night of the Fourth Mllliken called at tho
Phillips residence and asked for Miss Ger
trude. When the latter saw him she no.
ticed that he acted queerly. as II under the
influence Of liquor. She left him at onco
and retired to her room. Milliken then
summoned u servant and sent his card up
to the young lady, but she refused to SEQ
him again, and the servant showed him to
che door.
About midnight, after every one in the
house had retired, Mr.. Phillips was sud
denly aroused by his daughter Nora call
ing TO him exoitedly Nora and Gertrude
occupy communicating rooms on the third
floor Mr.. Phillips found both his daugh-
ters In a high state Of excitement Ger
trude being apparently terror stricken.
The door leading into the latter's room
was locked. Gertrude finally managed to
tell him there was man in the room.
She had been awakened by the smell Of
chloroform and had found u man leaning
over her. She had struck his hand away
from her face and escaped to her sisters
room.
Mr.. Phillips started for his daughters
room, while his wife and daughters ran to
1 the lower floor. He was Joined by his
partner, Mr. Frederick McKenney but in
the meantime t%o policemen arrived on
she scene. Tt5 man, however, ran down
stairs apd<escaped into the back yard As
ne ne pagsed tho light no was recognized as
! ~Inilikcn. Tho police followed and ar
rested the man, who was taken to the sta
ton house He was released later in the
night.
How Milliken got into the house is not
known. The servants say that the doors
were securely locked as usual. Entrance
could easily have been effected, however,
by means Of the side window on the first
floor.
When Mr., Phillips learned that Milliken
had been released he was surprised. While
naturally disposed to shun the unpleasant
notoriety which would ensue, he thought
the law should take its course. -
Milliken is about 80 years old, rather at
tractlye in appearance, and good con.
versatlonulists. He came here from Mem
phis Tonn., some years ago as corre-
Bpondent for some southern newspapers
Later on he was connected with the local
press. p.s..,