The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-23

indian reservation In the eastern part of
this state and there educated az a ward OF
the government From early youth he was.
1t Is abundantly testified to. unruly, and
at the time Of the murder OF Wells he had
just been released from prison In British
Columbia where he had served seven years
for grand larceny.
Upon obtaining his liberty he turned hIs
steps In the direction OF Seattle. On the
night Of the murder Of Wells he was dis
covered wandering about in the corridors
or tho Price hotel on First avenue south.
burglary had been committed In the
hotel only . short time before and q
chambermaid seeing Phillips thought she
recognized in him the burglar, who had
not been captured. she reported Phillips
presence to the hotel office and . police
man was called.
Patrolnan Ed Cummings answered the
call and placing Phillips under arrest took
him to the patrol box to wait for the
patrol wagon from police station. In look
ing over his prisoner Cummings could only
see that he was q swarthy quiet young
fellow dressed In rough clothing, but not
apparently a criminal. He was still firth-
er thrown OF his guard by the fact that
Phillips spoke to him about aid in obtain
ting Job as q shoemaker. Cummings prom
Used 10 help him do so.
When the patrol wagon drove up Cum
mings turned his prisoner over to PATROL
man Wells. who was acting temporarily
rs jaiier at the city jau. Phillips had MT
resisted arrest and had not. therefore. been
searched by Cummings. From Cummings
statements Wells also did not consider II
necessary to search Phillips and ordered
Driver j. f. Weeden to proceed to head
quarters
On the way up town Phillips sat by
Wells side and said no; a word. He after
wards confessed that during the ride he
planned the murder. Arriving at the sta
ton Driver weeden backed the wagon up
to the curb and Wells. aiighting. told Phil
lips TO get out. Phillips rose obedientiy
and started FOR the rear OF the wagon.
Just as he reached II he stopped slightly.
Driver Weeden thought that ne was reach
ing for the hand rau OF the wagon. In
stead Phillips. as he rose. drew a shining
revolver and fired full at Wells breast
The act was witnessed by several per-
sons who rushed 10 Wells aid. But II was
too late. He fell heavily to the sidewalk
a. the very steps OF the police station with
the pailor OF death on his face. The only
sound 10 es,ape his lips was the smothered
exclamation ''Ohs' just as the bullet
struck him. His brother officers picked
him up and carried him into a back room
Of the station. There he died FIVE minutes
later from loss Of blood. the bullet OF %
callber having pierced the large artery OF
the heart
Phillips Escape.
After firing the fata. shot Philips leaped
from the wagon and ran like a deer down
'he hin toward Washington street, There
he encountered Detective Jack Williams.
who at the time was dressed In citizens
clothes. Williams called upon him 10 stop.
For answer the nlurderous half breed. fui.
OF malice toward all mankind. turned as no
ran and fired shot at Williams. Williams
returned the FIRE. but unfortunately failed
to hit the target.
AS soon as Wells life blood had ebbed
away and II was known that one 81 the
kindest and mos, generous hearted men
that ever wore a polieenans star was
dead, the whole department turned out 70
hunt down the murderer. Hardly an hour
after the shooting he was located under
house on Washington street within a few
blocks ~ the scene % she shooting,
Detectives Lee A. Rarbee and William
7. Meredith undertook his capture They
ordered the fugitive 20 come out. The
only reply was pistol ssot frnm the dark
ness. The two detectives. taking their lives
TIA their hands, bearded the murderer IN
his retreat TIE psstnl battle that ensuei
was ore OF the ffercest ever fought IN the
city Of Seattle
Phlilsrw manifested a plain Intention no,
10 be taken alive and continued 10 Load
ani Gre his revolver until finally hall
from a pistol IN the hands OF one Of fhs
detectives struck hts right wrist ana broke
r. Then he surrendered.
A. police headquarters Psillius' right
hand was afunutateti by a urgcon- During
ths operation he never fsncAst, although
,hs psla was almost nnscsraMe. Later ne
made a fun confession 90 his crime 10
Chief ~ Polsce Reed ard other officers At
Tie same ttyne The chief came into possess
stea ~ q note book taken from PhllIips
person ard containing memoranda Snow
iss< that the young haf~hgeea hal gene
forth from the British Columbia reri,en-
;isFy with murder Tn his heart and fully
determined 70 enter urca s. criminal career
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