New-York tribune., 1911-02-24
MOUNT VERNON REALTY
MAN IN BELLEVUE
Edward Phipps, Calling Himself
Lord Armstrong, Stlrs
Up TenderIoin.
LEFT HOME ON SUN0Ai
Story of His Erratic Conduct
Leads Magistrate to Enter.
tain Charge of Insanity
Made by Son.

After series Of escapades reaching
over several DAYS and including erratic
visits 20 the Tenderloin station, the Re-
publican Club and taxicab rides, Edward
Phipps. a rich real estate dealer OF
Mount Vernon, w3s taken into custody
Yesterday, and last evening Magistrate
Breen. In the mems night court, COM
mtted him to Bellevue Hospital for OBJ
servation as 10 his sanity
Phipps is a rather distinguished look
Ing mau about fifty-fve years old. In
the night court, where his son, Edward.
ir, appeared against him. he announced
he was Lord Armstropg" and then
burst into tears. The son said his father
| disappeared from the Phipps house, at
| No 102 South Sixth avenue, Mount Ner-
non, on Sunday, and until yesterday af-
| ternoon, when he telephoned home for
| $4,000, he had not been heard from.
The telephone message from the Re-
publican Club. in 40th street, between
Fifth and Sixth avenues was the first
clew TO his whereabouts his family had
received. Soon afterward a second mes
sage was received from member Of the
| club asking that some one be sent to
look after Mr.. Phpps. Edward Phipps,
| jr. and Ronald. another son, immedi-
ately came 10 this city.
Escapes from Taxi.
The services of Pstrolman Thoms, Of
| the Tenderloin station, were thought
necessary, and after the officer had. upon
complaint of the son. taken Phipps into
/ custody, the start for Bellevue Hospital
was made. On the way the real estate
man made sensational attempt to esr
cape.
The plan was TO take him to the hos
pitsl and keep him there until the OPEN
ing of the mems night court, as 1t was
| then too late to arraign him in the day
| court. Patrolman Thoms and the
patient We're in one taxicab and the two
sons in a second taxicab. and the party
had reached Second avenue and 3Sth
street before the trouble began.
Suddenly the Mount Vernon man
smashed the side window of the taxi.
Then he opened the door and leaped out.
! 1t so happene that two patrolmen OF
the East 35th street station were stand
ing at the corner, and they aided in
capturing and restraining the real estate
man. Then an ambulance was called
from Bellevue and Mr.. Phipps was trans
ferred to the hospital.
Phipps was taken later to the Mems
Night Court and arragned before Mag
istrate Breen. Edward Phipps, jr., made
a charge of, insanity against his father.
While Edward Phipps, jr., was testi-
flying, his father interrupted him on sew
eral occasions. The real estate man
begged the magistrate not to pay any
attention to his son. Later he said he
had been robbed of $4,000.
The son was authority for the state
ment that his fathers diamond studded
watch, valued at $500. was missing, and
also pair of diamond sleeve buttons,
valued at 500. The Mount Vernon man
had no money in his possession when
| taken into custody.
Mr.. Phipps appeared at the Republican
Club on Wednesday afternoon and
caused sensation by his peculiar ac-
tons, and afterward visited the Tender
loin station.
When he entered the Republican Club
on his first visit his air of mystery at
tracted attention, and after several half
| whispered references to o conspiracy he
went TO the library and gathered up
scme OF the periodicals and books.
With these in his arms he hurried to
| the entrance and deposited tho, in a
taxicab. Soon afterward he appeared at
| the Tenderloin station. There he asked
TO see Captain McCulum." The off,
Ger on duty, Acting Lieutenant Dunn, IN
formed him that Captain McElroy was in
command Of the precinct
Finally the visitor confided TO Dunn
/ that he had come to the city 10 sec Fire
! Chief Croker. The chief was an old
| friend, and he had expected to meet him