New-York tribune., 1922-12-06
Murderess Is Believed TO
Have Kidnapped Woman
Who Testified Against
Her and Gone TO Mexico
Plane Flight Seen;
Husband Denies Aid
Cell Bars Sawed and Es.
cape Made in Bare Feet;
Help of 2 Men Suspected
Special Dispatch 70 ~ TrsSsn.


Los ANGELES. Dee. while the
search for Mrs. Clara Phillips, con
vieted murdcress, who sawed her way
to liberty from the Los Angeles county
jeil last night, continued without re-
suit. Armour T.. Phillips. her husband
tonight issued a formal statement de-
nying knowledge Of his wife's escape
and giving detailed account Of his
movements before and since the Jail.
break. Phillips notified the sherifrs
Office he would welcome inquiries.
Grave fears are felt FOR the possible
fate Of Peggy ChhGee. the witness
whose testimony convicted Mrs Phil
lips. Two hours after Mrs. Phillips
escaped, there came a frantic call for
help from Peggy's bungalow, and then
the phone connection was suddenly
broken. SheriGs deputies, who has
tened TO the bungalow, found no trace
OF Peggy, or any signs Of life about the
place.
Practically IN front OF her Long
Beach home, there were foot prints
corresponding TO those Mrs. Phillips
made on the roof as she escaped from
the Jail window and iu the road was
the scarf she wore dtfting the trial. A.
the time OF the call for help from Peg
0y's bungalow. the sheriff dill not know
Mrs. Phillips had escaped. The prison
er's feelings toward Peggy were ex-
tremcly bitter No trace Of Peggy has
been found despite an all-day search.
Mrs. Phillips. convicted OF second de-
gree murder 10 the death Of Mrs. Al
berta Meadows. whom she was said 90
have beaten o. doath W..h a nnmmor,
was in jail awaiting action on her
motion FOR n new trial
Last night she sawed AWAY three
stout steel bars, and bent them far
enough 10 permit her 20 squeeze
through. She dropped a few feet 10 the
roof Of an adjoining building. slipped
down n rainpipe and evidently was
picked up by an accomplice. She left
her shoes and most Of her clothing in
the cell.
Fear for WomAn's Enemy
Deputies have been sent everywhere.
but there has been found but one
slight clew, and that leads TO fearful
theor.cs concerning the safety OF Phil
lips's one great enemy, Mrs. Cafee.
Mrs. Caflec accompanied Mrs. Phillips
and Mrs. Meadows 10 Montecite drive
last July.
At the trial Mrs. Caace swore Mrs.
Phillips had killed Mrs Meadows with
the hammer. She had kept quiet for
some time, she said, fearing the con-
yictcd woman would kin her. Peggy's
testimong resulted In conviction. Clara
was convicted Of second degree murder
and sentenced to prison for from ten
years 20 life.
After her escGpe Mrs. Phillips first
went to Long Beach. A car in which
was found a ncckpiccc believed 20 have
been hers was left standing a few
blocks from Peggy Calceis home. And
there Is no trace Of Peggy.
The Sheriff Office believes Mrs. Phil
lips has gone TO Mexico by airplane,
boat or by another automobile And
it would not surprise the deputies, they
say, % learn Peggy went with her, kid
uaped.
From the nature Of the escape, Il Is
believed Mrs. Phillips must have been
aided by az least two or three men.
Immediately after the matron discov-
cred her missing little past 7 o'clock
IIAI ANNAAAIAAh NNuAkM was WNkA ANA
her husband. lie was found early this
evening az the Office Of Attorney Bert
Harrington, and.was taken 10 the Sher-
id's Office 10 be questioned. -
Phillips. in his statement, asserted
he FIRST learned OF his wife's escape
through the newspapers. lie at once
telcphoncd Beriram Harrington, her at
torney, and later went 10 the latter's
Office. After a brief conference with
Harrington he reported 10 Police Head
quarters
Saw wife in Jail Monday
Phillips said he had left tho hone
of Mrs Phillips mother and sisters,
where he had been staying, following
a disagreement. His present quarters,
he said, were az a downtown hotel.
The statement also asserts Phillips
had called on Mrs. Phillips at the eoun-
ty Jail yesterday morning. lie later
conveyed a message from his wife 20
her attorney. lie did not reveal the
nature Of the message.
Harry Karst. friend OF Mrs. Phillips
her husband once charged she had
gone TO Camp Baldy with him, and THIS
is what led TO the murder Of Mrs:
Meadows Billy Moody, chorus girl
ehum: Mrs. Madelyn Obenchain. who
was an int mate Of Mrs. Phillips. and
several others, were questioned. but
could tell nothing about the escape: .,
The authorities are convinced II bad
been planned several days ago. The
matron remembers that on seyerai
occasions she had seen men walking
on the ROOF Of tho building next the
Jail, re-arranging some clothes on the
line. Il is believed tn may have been
intended as n message for Mrs'
Phillips.
fcohiIhuto on psss isuD