Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-05-18
CATHOLIC PRIESTS
MYSTERIOUS DEATH
Causes Sensation In Two
Northern Cities.
THERE'S A WOMAN IN CASE

Father Phillips, a Clergyman of Ha-
zelton, Pa, Found Dead In New
York Ia Room of a ssFakir," Who
Is Arrested.
NEW YORK. May 16.-The body of n
man found late last night III house in
Ninth avenue has been identified as that
of the Rev. Edward S. Philips of St.
Gabriels church, Hazelton, Pa, who
recently had a conference with j. Z.
Morgan in reference to the threatened
strike in the iron and coal regions of
Pennsylvania. The police are working
on what may prove to be murder.
Kirk Stanley, q massage operator, in
whose rooms the body was found, is un-
der arrest as suspicious person.
Decomposition had advanced so far
when the body was discovered that a
cursory examination was not sufficient
to reveal the cause of death, and an au-
topsy will be held.
Stanley has been subjected to a rigid
examination and is said TO have told
conflicting stories. Mrs. Bernius, from
whom Stanley rented rooms, in one of
which the body was found, said that
her tenant claimed TO be from San Fran
cisco and called himself DR.. Stanley.
He was accompanied by young woman
whom he introduced as his wife.
The body was discovered by Mrs. Ber-
MUS daughter, who went into Stanley's
apartments to remove some bedding
which was hanging out of the window.
Identity of Dead Man.
The police were Immediately notified
and a search of the body disclosed a num-
Der of papers. Among them was let
ter from John Mitchell, president of the
Rev. S. Phillips, Hazelton, Pa. There
were also several kilograms from Mitch
ell addressed to the priest, half-fa
railway coupon such as is issued to cler-
gymen, and several receipts made out in
DR.. Phillips's name.
1t was made public for the first time
after the Identification of the body that
two confidential alarms had been sent
out by Captain of Detectives Titus for
Mr.. Philips, who, according to this in
formation, had been missing from his
home in Hazelton since April %. The
first alarm was sent out on May and
the second yesterday, and detectives
from the central office have been quiet
ly searching the hotels and hospitals in
this city for the missing clergyman.
Police Captain Donahue, after exam.
lining the body, the rooms and the effects
of the dead man, sent out a general
alarm for the apprehension of Stanley.
Shortly after midnight Stanley was seen
walking through Fiftieth street. When
he came TO the corner of Ninth avenue,
half block from his apartments, he
stopped.
Arrested on Suspicion
A policeman saw him. Stanley saw
the policeman at the same moment and
at once turned and walked rapidly
through Fiftieth street toward Eighth
avenue. The policeman ran after him,
and, touching him on the shoulder, said
the captain desired to see him. Stanley
accompanied the policeman, and when
he reached the sGationhouse was taken
at once to Captain Donahue's private
Office. He and the captain were closeted
together for more than an hour.
The captain then took Stanley before
Sergeant Sible and told the sergeant to
lock him up. The prisoner seemed to
be suffering from the effects of drink or
drugs. His manner was that of man
who was badly dazed. He said his name
was Kirk Stanley, and that he had come
to this city about year and half ago.
He said they called him Doctor" but
he had no diploma. He was a massage
operator and intended to open an Office
here.
The police are searching for woman
who was known as Stanley's s wife, They
say this woman left the house in Ninth
avenue on May and has not returned.
Father Philips disappeared on May s.
Professed to Cure rheumatism.
Stanley is said to have wife and
12-year-old son living in San Francisco,
and is said to have resided at the Palace
hotel in that city. After coming to
New York he frequently received 500
checks from Alameda, Cal He pro-
fessed to cure rheumatism by the appli-
cation of air at temperature of about
400 degrees.
Stanley was arraigned in the police
court and was remanded to the custody
of the coroner. He refused to make any
statement in court.