The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-24
OFFICERS SEEK MAN
WITH EVIL RECORD
Charles Phelps, Once Convicted
of Murder in Utah, Wanted
i'm Idaho.
LATEST MURDER DONE
DURING POKER GAME
Released From Penitentiary
Here in Spite of Protests of
Court Judge.

Charles Phelps, So years of age, who
has served two terms in state prisons
for murder, is wanted by the authorities
at Buhl Ida, where on Sunday, March
20. he stabbed TO death John May, n
young man 80 years OF age, while he
and May were engaged in game OF
poker in the Pastime poolroom at Buhl'
where Phelps was employed.
During the progress of the card game
q dispute arose and without any warn
ing, il is said, Phelps drew his knife
and plunged it into the body OF May
Stabbed through the left lung over the
heart. May fell to the floor in an un-
conscious condition. Phelps, ii is added,
instantly attacked the unconscious man,
stabbing him viciously as he lay on the
floor During the resulting confusion,
Phelps disappeared, and although every
city and town in southern Idaho has
been searched. no trace of Phelps mas
been discovered The vicious attack on
the man on the floor has Incensed the
citizens of Buhl TO such an extent that
the authorities fear that Phelps VIII
be lynched if caught and returned 10
Buhl.
Barlow Asked to Help.
Chief of Police Barlow has been
asked to appreheud Phelps, as he is sup
posed to be in or on the way to SAT-
Lake City, where he is said 10 have
number of friends among certain ele'
ment. His photograph, which was Ia
ken while he was serving n HE SEN
tence, afterwards commuted, IN the
Utah penitcntianry, has been forward
cd to the authorities in Idaho.
Phelps, known also by the name OF
Phillips, is described az five feet, Ten
inches in height, weighing about I9o
pounds; blue eyes, one of winch mas n
souint; sandy hair and moustache and
wearing. i'm all probability, a dark gray
suit of clothes and slouch hat or cap.
His face shows signs of dissipation,
Phelps being heavy drinker and a
gambler.
Phelps, who was a United States
deputy marshal in Idaho about twenty
years ago, and who was known as a
dangerous gun man. got into an argu'
ment with Heber West at Pocatello9,
Ida. during which he shot West through
the heart. He was arrested, convicted
and sentenced 10 six years in the Idaho
state prison. and after serving four
years he was pardoned.
Convicted and Pardoned.
Phelps came to Salt Lake City after
being pardoned, and lived here for some
time He was arrested on July II, and
charged with completely in the killing
of John Egan. During the trial the
evidence showed that Phelps and Jesse
Mcmillan placed morphine in beer
glass and gave the beer to Egan to
drink while all were in the old Senate
saloon, which al that time occupied the
present site of the Paris Millinery store
on Main street.
After Egan drank the beer and had
become unconscious, Phelps dragged the
man from the saloon into the alley in
the rear OF the building, where he left
him to die. The body Of Egan was dis
covered bv The police, and the arrests
followed. Four dollars and a silver
watch were the proceeds of the robbery
of Egan by the men.
- Mcmillan was sentenced TO twenty
years in the state prison, but was
pardoned some time ago on account of
the fact that he was dying of consump
ton. Phelps was sentenced TO life.
Eight years ago Phelps made an un-
successful attempt TO have his sentence
but his appeal was constant
ly protested bv Alice West. the relict
in Poca!ello. Judge Norrell of the Third
district court VINO mad sentenced Phelps
steadily fought the Communication of
the sentence, stating that as long as he
lived he would never consent to the re-
lease Of Phelps. whom he deemed a
dangerous man to be at large in any
Is Considered Dangerous.
In the meantime Detective Earl Rip.
ley had met, wooed and won Mrs.
West. Phelps never gave up hope of
being released from the state prison,
and engaged the legal firm Of Stewart
g. Stewart. attorneys Of this city. about
a year ago, to have the sentence set
aside and regain his liberty, If possible
The attorneys called upon Detective
Ripley. who, after looking up the
past life Of Phelps, refused TO consent
to the pardon. Nothing more was said
regarding the matter TO Detective Rip
ley or TO Mrs. Ripley, and both were
surprised when the pardon granting
Phelps his liberty once more was
granted.
The photograph of Phelps has been
sent to the authorities Of Idaho.
from where it will be sent broadcast in
an effort to apprehend Phelps again. He
is considered one Of the most dangerous
criminals ever captured by the Salt
I ka Do1irp dana ~ rnpnf