The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-20
FIRE OVER COFFIN
Cowboy, Killed in sMovie'' Act,
Buried ssWith HonOrs.'
AL Philips Horse Fell While
Chasing Film Desperate.

Chicago, Aug. 20.-Alexander Phil
by, a real cowboy from the western
plains, who met death in a moving pic
ture drama staged near Chicago, was
buried with his chaps on and with all
| the cowboy rites at Rosehill cemetery.
Philby has served his time at roping
cattle, throwing mustangs. and brand
ing calves. He was graduated from
the western ranch as an A No. horse
man, and thereby qualified TO show the
tenderfoot easterner how western men
live and die. He was engaged by the
American Film Manufacturing COM
pany to act as a cowboy in a western
drama. He was the leading member
of the cowboy troupe of half hun
dred en- the American Film ranch" on
The prairies near Evanston.
Two weeks ago Philby was leading
his band of dashing horsemen after
stage desperate who had shot UP a
gambling joint. With whoop and
hurrah the men charged around pic
turesque corner of country road, Phil
by leading and swinging his lariat. At
the treacherous corner his horse STUN
bled over a root that protruded into
the path. Philby. for all his expert
craftsmanship, was pitched over the
animals head, and the rest of the
horsemen rode over him.
"Diablo'' Walks Behind Hearse.
The camera man of the moving pic
ture firm forgot to wind his film and
the COWBOYS nurr1oQIy OlSmOunIoQ.
Philby lay crumpled and bleeding in
a heap. They carried him on his
horse to the nearest drug store. From
there he was taken to the St. Francis
hospital. His grit and hardihood
defied death for a week, and then he
died.
Thousands of miles distant from the
environment in which he had been
reared and to which he was accustom-
ed, he was buried as he would have
wished could he have expressed a
choice.
Petite Diablo," Philips spirited
little black pony that already carried
the record of having killed one rider,
was led behind the hearse by Philby
best pal Phillips. cowhide saddle
was reversed and somebody had drap-
ed the pummel with a knot of crepe.
The whole cowbody troup assembled
in front of the dead cowpuncher's
home. There were both men and
women. They We're. bronzed and dusty.
They wore black kerchiefs about their
threats and bands of crepe on their
arms.
Fire Across the Coffin.
Slowly the cavalcade continued to
Rosehill. They formed a double flank
from the hearse to the grave and the
body was borne between them with
Petite Diablo." paving and champ
bearers stood back as the minister
spoke. Then they took their places |
close beside the casket.
'Draw!" commanded Bill Lee, the
ranch foreman. Eight forty-fours |
flashed from the holsters. They
crossed over the casket.
"Fire!" came the second command. |
Three volleys barked back at the |
thunder that had just followed a |
lightning flash. The revolvers were !
replaced. The men then threw bits |
of gauntlets and trinkets that had |
been dear to their pal on the casket |
and it was lowered slowly into the |
grave. Bill Lee then picked up d |
handful of dirt and tossed it down on |
the lid and murmured Dust to dust |
Philby left a widow and four chill
dren. The cowboys departed from the |
cemetery discussing the possibilities |
Of giving a wild west benefit for AIS |
widow and the kids