Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-03-12
DEATH OF old PHIL. 8"

"Old Phil is dead. His end came at
the Retreat at Is o'clock last night. from
chronic bronchitis, from which he had long
suffered aggravated by severe attack of
grip. His death removes one of the most
familiar figures ever seen on the Brattle-
boro streets. His name was Philip Con-
molly.
The early history of the old man is OBJ
scure, but it is known that he was born in
1874 at the foot of the Galtee mountains
in the counties of Waterford and Upper
airy, Ireland. He was an unusually bright
and promising lad, and his parents began
to educate him for the priesthood, but he
received an injury to the head which upset
his mental balance. 1t is supposed that
he came to this country when he was about
81. He landed at Castle Garden, and went
first to Troy, Y. Y and afterward to Ben
nington. He proved intractable to his EN-
ployer, however, especially when under the
influence of liquor, and soon left Benning-
ton and found his way TO Newfane. When
living in that town it is related that he met
one day farmer who was driving unruly
sheep. The farmer abruptly commanded
him 70 assist in caring for them, which the
young man refused to do He was finally
persuaded to care for one of the sheep,
while the farmer went in pursuit of the
others. When the farmer did not return
as expected, Philip grew more excited,
and finally seized the sheep and beat its
brains out. For this he was arrested and
sent to Jail. The mittimus under which
he was committed to the Vermont asylum
is dated Sept. 20, 1S49. 1t states in SUBJ
stance that Phillip Connolly, having been
committed to the common Jail on a charge
of malicious mischief, and not having been
indicted by the grand jury by reason of in
sanity, it is adjudged that he be sent to
the insane asylum at Brattleboro because
his discharge and going at large would be
dangerous to the peace and safety of the
community. Daniel Kellogg was the Judge
OF the court, Marshall Miller the clerk, Ed
ward kirkland the states attorney, and
Timothy Ii. Hall the sheriff, all of whose
names appear on the mittmus. 1t is said
10 have been the first commitment of the
kind on record in the state.
Connolly was % years old when COM
mltted to the asylum. He was subject for
several years to periods of excitement, but
these had gradually worn away, and for
many years he had practically had his per
sonal freedom. For II years he has been
the constant servant, companion and
friend of Porter Spencer, the steward of
the Retreat. His marked personal quail
ties were trustworthiness, faithfulness and
The chains, badges and
other curious decorations which he wore
were not part of his insane deluson, but
were worn as a child might deck himself
with such things. He was very expert
card player, and remarkably accomplished
story teller.
He was kindly cared for in his last i'll
ness. The Rev. Patrick Cunningham Wis
tied him only two hours before his death.
and by the wish of Father Cunningham
the funeral will be held at the Roman
Cathollc church tomorrow morning at 9
o'clock. The burial will be in the cemetery
of that church.
Among Phillips numerous personal eff
fects, most of them such as a child might
gather, were great number of curious
coins of small value, and SO in money. |
of this $55 was in gold.