The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-23
STABS
HIS DAUGHTER
IN THE BREAST
Theodore SyphuS, Crazed by
Drink, PIungeS Knife Into
Mrs. TaylOr'S Form.
VICTIM DRAGGED FROM
HOME BY HER BROTHER
WAS GROOMING HER BABE TO
SLEEP At TIME OF
THE ASSAULT,

While lying ON her bed. cuddiius her
22-months' old baby within her arms
i'm the goodnight lullaby. Mrs, Ike
Taylor was stabbed ina the breast last
night by her drunken father, Theodore
Syphus. aged 81 years. and was only
saved from further outbreak of his muir
derous rage by being dragged from the
house by her 16-year-Uld brother, TheO-
dore Syphus, jr-
The assault occurred in the fathers
home, 453 West Third South street. close
to II o'clock. The injured woman was
huTriediy removed to the emergency
hospital, where DIT. L. r. Steele at
tended her and later she was taken to
her own home at l1g West Fifth South
street.
Mrs. Taylor who is the wife of Ike
Taylor, night clerk at the Savoy hotel,
had been stopping at the home of her
parents for the past few days. Last
night her mother, Mrs. Syphus, had
gone to Murray to visit friends, and
while putting the little baby to sleep
Mrs. Taylor had lain down on the bed,
still dressed, awaiting the return of
the mother.
About 1880 o'clock the father entered
the home. apparently under the infiu-
ence Of liquor and going to the room
where his daughter lay, he i'm a sudden
burst of rage started to grab her, at
the same time showing q knife As the
daughter with Shrek of terror, tried
to protect herself, SyphJs plunged the
blade into her left breast just over the
heart. As he pulled out the blood
stained knife and drew back his arm
for another thrust Theodore, who had
heard the scream for help, ran into tht
room. and hurting the father aside,
picked mis- sister in his arms and half
dragged and half-CarTied her out into
the street Neighbors who mad also
heard the screams were on the street,
and the woman was carried into the
[ home of r. l. Watson. where she was
cared for until the arrival Of the police.
Syphus Locks His Door.
Patrolmen Conyers and McMartin,
who went out with the patrol wagon,
found that Syphus had locked his door
and at first refused to admit the Off
GERS. Upon their threats to break I'm
the door, he unlocked and coolIy enough
submitted to arrest. only asking
/ What's this fOT2' and then refusing
to say anything further or give any ex-
PLANTATION.
The wound, although deep, is not con-
sidered dangerous. In her weakened
and frightened condition. Mrs. Taylor
could tell nothing more last night Of
the attack than what is related above.
Mr. Taylor. who was summoned to the
hospital could only tell that his wife.
who has been slightly sick for the past
few days. had been stopping with her
mother. and that NJ 6 O'Clock last night,
while ne was at the hotel. she had told
over feFr4.f7,Y,1 4T4.f --~- h.
had gone to Murray. Mrs. Syphus was
still in Murray at the time Of the as
sault. and did not return until after the
daughter had been removed 10 her
home.
Syphus. it is said. has repeatedly
beaten the members of the family
threatening their lives. and has a num-
Der Of times struck his daughter to the
floor.
r. L. Watson. who lives nearby. and
who was the first To give assistance to
the injured woman. said last night:
My brOther-in-law. p. +. Baheling.
and I were sitting playing cards when
We heard somebody cry, Help Help.
Murder" We both jumped to our feet.
and BahelinE said. oh, I guess it is
some boys trying to play a joke We
went outside, though, and saw young
Syphus dragging his sister along the
Sidewalk. We ran to them, and just as
We reached them 7 could hear Mrs
Taylor say. Take me quick before 7
faint Baheling took her I'm his arms
and carried her to our house. where We
took care of her until the police came
We knew nothing of the affair until We
/ heard the cry for help
At the station Syphus showed little
sign Of being drunk, and appeared to
/ be sane enough, answering the desk
/ seTgeant's queries nationally. He re-
| fused. however to make anN statement