New-York tribune., 1907-09-10
MRS. PHILLIPS PLEADS.
Gires Bond after Denying Murder
of Her Husband.


Hall before Justice William Brown to-day. on
the charge of killing her husband. J. j. Phillips,
or September .. She gave bond in S'soS
While the preliminares of signing the bond
were being arranged Mrs. Phillips remained in
an invalid carriage with nurse and a physi-
clan at her side. Mr.. Nef. her attorney. said his
client had appeared voluntarily to meet the
charge against her. The hearing was set for
September 20.
Mrs Phillips feebly pleaded not guilty and
waived examination.
tBy Telegraph to The Tribune
Pittsburg Sept. 9-John II. Jones the mill
Ionaire president of the Pittsburg and Buffalo
Coal Company admitted to-day that he en-
ployed Roger OMara. the Pittsburg detective.
to work on the John J. Phillips murder case at
Cleveland. Mr.. Jones is positive that Phillips
did not commit suicide and is extremely indig-
nant over the arrest of Mrs. Phillips on sus-
pcion of having killed her husband After ao-
mitting that he had employed OMara' MT
Jones said this afternoon:
was associated with Mr. Phillips for many years
I'm business, ne having had charge of our Cleveland
office. 7 do not believe that he committed suicide
nor do | believe that Mrs Phillips was connected
In any way with his death She is most estimaoe
and her husband was a most estima pie
man. shocked that the Cleveland police
should connect her name with the crime. and have
instructed OMara TO do everything in his power
clear up the murder and to vindicate Mrs. Phil
lips.
The murder Of Mr. Phillips is the most puzzlng
mystery which the East Cleveland police have had
to solve In many years. John J. Phillips, rated Tor
years as a millionaire leader in the coal trade for
than a decade. and prominent since youth I'm
club and society circles vas shot to death in his
home in the fashionable suburb OF East Cleveland
early last Monday morning. II announced I'M
medately that he had been slain by a burglar
At time
rumors Of suicide because of financial troubles be-
came current. Twenty-four hours later the friends
OF the family astounded when ii became
known that the wife under suspicion. Since
that time she has been under close surveillance and
her in court yesterday puts the charge
against her Of murder in the second degree formally
upon record.
Medical aid for Mr. Phillips not summoned
until several hours after the shooting Mrs. Phil
lips who gave the alarm. alone with her hus-
band after he was shot. and in ante-mortem
statement ne declared he the victim Of burg
lars. When asked why she did not summon
physician once Mrs. Phillips said she had tried
in vain TO do This delay the chief cause or
directing suspicion against her Chief of Police
stambergcr. after close investigation. which failed
to reveal any trace Of burglars. preferred the
charge OF murder against Mrs. Phillips. but the
warrant, because OF her Illness. was not served
until yesterday. 1t thought by the police that
the Illness was due TO her taking powerful drug.
but this fatly denied.
This Is the second tragic incident In the marital
career OF Mrs. Phillips She is the daughter OF
Henry Clarke. of the leading pioneer farmers
of Western Michigan. living Oshtemo. She
being courted by Captain Isaac Andrews.
prominent n lake captain. and day. in De
cember. 1881. he from a hunting trip Is
said. fndea message from her that they were 70
be married that night: that she had obtained the
wedding license and made all necessary arrange
ments. lie is said to have sent back word that he
was tired" but the reply came. II is asserted
ceremony performed. ard the couple removed
Cleveland. Six years later Captain Andrews
committed suicide IN the harbor Of Duluth by TAX
ing Iaudanum.