Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-06-11
uFRED M. PHILLIPS TAKES HIS
OWN LIFE in DRAMATIC
MANNER AT HIS HOME
NEAR FALLS CITY.
FIRST CALLS ATTENTION
Fires -Four Shots to Warn BehOlders,
Then Shoots Himself in Temple,
Dying Instantly; NeighbOrs Witness
Act; Parents Cannot Explain Rash
Action.

Sending a bullet from a 38-calibre
revolver crashing through his brain,
after having fired four shots in rapid
@ccessoin, evidently to attract atten-
ton, Alfred M. Phillips, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Barney Phillips, killed him
self instantly at the home of his pa
rents, southeast of Falls City, Sunday
night about 7 o'clock. His parents
4 are at loss to understand the reason
for his act. The deed was committed
in full view of neighbors, and was
Witnessed by Elias Robinson and
Mrs Matte Hoptonstall, who were
8stting on the porch of the dwelling
4 occupied by the latter, a short dis
tanCe from the spot chosen by young
Phillips to end his life. Their atten-
ton was first attracted to the boy
when they heard four shots in rapid
succession. A moment later while
Watching him, they heard another
shot and saw Phillips fall to the
ground.
Even then, according to a statement
made to County Coroner r. L. Chap
man. it was not believed that Phillips
had shot himself, but was merely
acting as he did to fool them, but
Robinson made an investigation and
iOund the boy dead, with a gaping
bullet hole in his temple.
Had Prepared for Death.
An investigation by the coroner,
who was hastily summoned, develop
ed that Phillips had calmly prepared
Tor death. He had removed his shoes
ana socks, hanging them over near
oy limb, and had placed a new pair
0l socks on his feet. He then remoV-
ca his coat and spread it on the
ground with the evident intention of
falling on it when the revolver should
10 It's work. 1t later developed, ac-
eordlng to the statement made to the
coroner, that Phillips had purchased
lhe weapon, which was a 3S-calibre
T. s, from a store in Falls City on
saturday That the intention to take
ms own life was uppermost at that
ume and that he bought the revolver
lOf that purpose, is believed.
Had Peculiar Disposition.
The parents of the young suicide
are at a loss to explain his action.
Ihey say that he was of a peculiar
uNposition and given to fits of mel
sneholy. He often complained that
ne didn't amount to much, and
seemed to have the idea that nobody
jared for him. He was much given
" hunting, and would roam the
Noods for hours at a time with a re-
,O''er' shooting at birds and animals
-e usually carried a single barrel
tAlol' and the first intimation that
mad any other kind. came when
S dead body was found after sun
s nights shooting. Sunday Fans
NY resident appeared at the Phillips
.'lne with an automobile and invited
'-e iamily for a ride. There was n)t
.1o'n Tor all of them in the machine
80 Alfred was left at home. The
s'i'y came 10 Dallas and returned in
early evening. reaching home
-l o'clock. None Of the family
ne boy blow out his brains.
Came From Minnesota.
ar and Ms. Phillips and family
&c 10 the Coast from Mime ota
-.sial years ago. and settled in Falls
!, Where they lived until about
monthss ago. when they moved
ne place in the country they nov
-il- The suicide was Il years OF
ms eighteenth birthday would
been on July 19.
tai services were held az the
MS morning at 10 O'Clock and
'lent took place in the Falls CITY
.fT- Besides his parents de-
Is survived h~ a 1a~ra ruuher