The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-12-06
FLED TO MEXICO?
Search for Mrs. Clara Phillips,
MurdereSs, in Vain.
May Be on Motor Boat Headed
for Lower California.
BORDER is CLOSELY GUARDED
Husband Unable to Throw Any
Light on Break From Jail.
Search Also Being Made for
Mrs. Caffee, Star Witness.

san Francisco, Dec. Eff Clara
Phillips. convicted hammer murder
ess," had made good her escape across
the international boundary line into
Mexico she is safe to return to this
country at this time. even il located.
This was the opinion expressed at
the Mexican consulate here today,
where it was pointed out that there
are no extradition laws in force now
between the two countries. due to the
non-recognitiJn of the Mexican gov
eminent by the United States It was
also stated that California officers
have no ght I search for the pris-
oner or attempt to bring her back
after she Crosses the border line into
Mexico.
Los Angeles, Dec. 6.-Hunted by
every officer of the law in southern
California and federal authorities
along the Mexican border, Clara Phil
lips convicted hammer murderess"
of Alberta Meadows. who escaped from
the county Jail yesterday by saving
thru the bars OF her cell, was still the
enigma woman" today at the END
of twenty-four hours search after her
get away.
AItho working without a single
tangible clew. Sheriff W. L Traeger
and his deputies went at their task
of finding Mrs Phillips with renewed
vigor today and confident that she
would be found before nightfan-
Under Sheriff Eugene BiscailuZ, act
ing on a tip that Mrs. Phillips may be
aboard a fast motor boat heading
for Ensenada. a Lower California port,
left Tia Juana early today for that
point to make a search for the escaped
prisoner Deputy Sheriff Nolan was
left in charge of the jail at Tia Juana-
Husband In Custody.
Armour L. Phillips. for whose love
Mrs. Phillips is said to have beaten
Mrs. Meadows to death. has been
rfa~
on the sudden disappearance of his
wife. After Phillips explanation OF
his whersa bouts on Monday night and
Tuesday until he was found in the Of
flee of Bert Harrington. Mrs. Phillips
attorney, he was released but later
taken into custody and is being held
incOmmunicado.
According to Phillips story. he re-
tired in a downtown hotel about 1880
O'Clock Monday night and slept sound
ly until about noon yesterday. After
leaving his room, Phillips said he saw
the headlines telling of his wife's
escape and that was the first he knew
of 1t other details in Phillips story
were checked up to the minutest de-
tails and found to tally as he had told
Hours To Make Getaway.
The question was raised today as
to The exact time OF Mrs Phillips
escape It was pointed out that while
NIatron Fisher was on duty at the Jail
the little steel room. Mrs Phillips
retired Sunday evening about $3.50
O'Clock and her Jail break was not dis
covered until o'clock yesterday
morning.
1t was admitted she might have
gained her freedom before midnight
and sandwiched herself in the crowds
along the street.
Viewing her escape from this aspect,
officers were more inclined to believed
she headed TO- the Mexican border.
The theory, however, that she crossed
the international boundary line at Tia
Juana was given little credence, as
il was believed she would attempt to
cross at some other point, perhaps
closer to Imperial Valley. where the
country is less populated The theory
was advanced that she might try to
make her way 10 Mexico proper and
join relatives. who might join her
from Houston, Tex.
May Have Flown Away"
The possibility that Mrs. Phiilips's
flight from Los Angeles to some point
across the border might have been
made by airplane was not being over
looked by the authorities Sheriff
Traeger said that while he had no evil |
dence to cause such belief. the posi-
bility existed she might have literally
flown from the city. 1t was expect
ed a check would be made of the
various flying fields to ascertain if any
plane is missing or made a mysterious
trip.
Search was started today for Ed
(Goldtop) johnson, alleged race track
gambler. said to have become infatu- |
ated with Clara Phillips while he was
a prisoner in the county Jail. He is
suspected of having struggled to her
the saw she used in cutting the bars
on her cell window when she escaped |
from the county jail.
Question Mrs. Obenchain.
Mrs. Madalynne Obenchain was
scheduled TO be questioned again to-
- l. =
which hung in Mrs. Phillips cell had /
been given her when Mrs. Obenchain |
left the Jail Monday after a murder |
charge against her had been dismissed. |
Deputy sheriffs were also searching !
for two other persons. whose identity I
was not revealed. who, il is claimed. l
had stated while in Jail they would be i
glad to assist Mrs. Phillips. to free 4
dom.
The belief that an abandoned auto
mobile found at Long Beach might 1
lead to a solution OF the case was dis /
carded when the owner of the machine /
called for his car and explained how
it came to be parked some distance 4
from his home and explained his ac- 1
tons on Monday evening.
Search was also continued TODAY /
for Mrs Peggy Caffee. former friend i
OF Mrs Phillips and on whose testf- I
mony the state convicted Mrs. Phil |
lips, but with little avail.
Guard Border Closely.
Calexico. Cal, Dec 6. - Complete /
and thoro search of Calexico and i
Mexiczi. Mexico. fails to reveal any
information regarding Clara Phillips. /
City, county and federal officers are /
guarding the border here closely and |
il will be almost impossible for her to /
cross the border in this vicinity. On /
account of the close watch kept on /
this border, escaping criminals seldom.
IL ever, use this port The chief OF 1
police of Mexfcali has detailed special /
officers in watching the border and /
he will return her TO Calc~s Officers
II she be successful and reach Mexi- L
can soil IN this vicinity