The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-07
Lawyer Curtis Makes Startling
Charge In Philips Case.
WIDOW UNDER SHARP FIRE.
Body 0Isssetsd and Diseased Organs Re-
mowd-Ths Trunk and Brain Were
Burned la.Nr 10 CfsnatsTy

New York, March f-During the argu-
ment OF a motion before Surrogate Fitz-
gerald yesterday for the appointment OF
temporary administrator OF the estate
OF +. Stanhope Philips. which IL valued
at from y1DJ,0OJ 10 SJlJ.O00 former Judge
George NJ. Curtis. who represents James
Ralph Pnilips.a brother. contesting the
probate of tho Will, declared that the wild
ow, Mrs. Martha Bagg Philips. had
caused her husbands body TO be cre-
ted at Fresh Pond for the purpose of
preventing any disclosures being made
that Mr.. Philips had been OF unsound
mind prior 10 his death and therefore in
competent to make will.
Mr.. Philips died on January u last. lie
had been III FOR some time before his
death. His will was executed on Septem-
ber "a last, and by its provisions he leaves
all his property to his widow.
He had been in the dry goods business
for many years and accumulated "a for
tune. Ills widow places the value of IL
at about sl05,Oc0 while his brother. who
is the only other relative, declares that
the fortune Is worth between sioo.c0 and
$4,000, from which an income OF $4,000
annually is derived.
Mrs. Philips comedies the income 10 be
$4,000. derived largely from real estate
IN this city. Mr.. Philips first vile was
Miss Grace McGregor. Philips obtained
divorce from her some years ago. and
eighteen years ago married Miss Martha
Bagg He was sixty-six years old at the
time Of his DEATH which resulted from
cancer.
WIDOW ASKS FOR PAPERS.
William j. Curtis, in behalf of the wild
ow, applied for her appointment as ad-
ministrator, saying that, in View of the
contest by the brother, the estate would
likely be in litigation for a long while.
and IL was therefore necessary to have
some one 10 take care OF II. lie stated
that the widow had managed the estate
for a long while during her husbanos S ILL
ness, ana. being thoroushy familiar with
II was the best person to be appointed.
Former Judge Curtis stenuously object
ed TO her. selection, declaring that N was
against the policy OF the law To appoint
a person so vitality Interested In the out
come OF contest. III she is arpoint-
woman--for she is formidable on account
OF her abilities. her resolution and her
courage-is In a position where she will be
entitled TO influence this litigation.
This was not the first matrimonial
venture OF Mr.. Philips" the speaker con
tinued. His first wife Is still living. He
An autopsy was made on his body by one
of the ablest pathologists I'm the city. Dr.
John - Thatcher, and what was reveal
ed7 The fact that Mr. Philips had died
from cancer OF the shoulder. breast and
collar bone, involving cancerous disinte-
grafton of the liver and kidneys.
Now look at the foresight of this extra
ordinary woman. and there Is nothing In
fiction that can compare with II. She had
the trunk OF her husbands body dissect-
ed, and from the skeleton were taken
those diseased organs to which referred.
but the head which contained the brain
the seat OF empire-she had burned in the
crematorv at Fresh Pond. together with
the skeleton.
WAS OPPOSED TO CREMATION
''Mr. Philips all through his life was
bitterly opposed 10 cremation" concluded
the former judge. He was a religious
man. and believed with the major part OF
the church. whether rightly or wrongly,
in the old fashioned system of burial:
Depite this his skeleton and head and
brain were incinerated within compare
lively few hours after his death.
Mr. Curtis contended that the widow
had used undue influence over her hus-
band 10 obtain possession of his property.
and that his condition physically and
death He submitted an affidavit Of Or.
William j. Cruikshank as to what he
learend with reference to the crema ton.
Or: George Y: Monroe, the attending
prior TO his death was present at the au-
topsy. which was conducted by Dr.
Thatcher. who formed the conclusion
that death was due to cancer. DIR. Cruik-
shank called on Or. Thatcher, who in
formed him that an examination OF the
brain and central nervous system was
not included in his autopsy Or. Monroe
told him that the body OF Mr.. Philips
was cremated. together with the head
w. j. Curtis declared that the autopsy
had been properly conducted and that Mrs.
had right to do. or. which was the
cause Of any unfavorable comment
Surrogate Fitzgerald reserved his de-
cision.