Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-07-15
HAMMER MURDER
SUSPECT CAUGHT
Mrs. Phillips Accused of
Killing Girl Love Rival
in Los Angeles
SILENT WHILE
HELD IN PRISON

TUCSON. Ariz., July 15.-(United
Press)-Mrs. A. L. Phillips. held
here for extradltion TO Los Angeles
on a charge OF beating Mrs Alberta
Meadows 10 death with a hammer,
defed the third degree today.
TN talk when / get back to Los
Angeles" was her only reply TO
questions.
The woman accused of deliberate
ly killing the girl whom she eonsid-
cred iove-rival, sits calm and smil-
Ing in her cell here She even de-
MES that she is Mrs Phillips.
Il am ready to go back to Los
Angeles" she said placidly when in
formed Sheriff Traeger OF that city
was enroute here TO take her in
charge. Confronted with letters
found in her handbag, signed with
the name Clara Phillips. the alleged
hammer murderess' remained un-
disturbed and smllingiy insisted she
wa. not the person wanted" for the
Staying
Perhaps" and II don't know"
were her tranquil replies to the
questions fred at her by police in
cross examination.
Los ANGELES, July Is Omitted
Press) Mrs. Peggy Caffee, eye
witness OF the hammer murder" in
which Mrs. Alberta Meadows was
slain, today re-enacted the tragedy
in hills near Los Angeles for the
benefit OF police.
Mrs. a. l.. Phillips, held under ar
rest at Tucson. Ariz.;- IL accused of
the murder by Mrs. Caffee and by
her own husband who says she con-
fessed to him.
While police looked on, Mrs.
Caffee demonstrated how she alleges
Mrs Phillips, goaded to cold rage
by belief that her husband was init
mate with Mrs. Meadows, lured the
alleged other woman" to a remote
spot and then-first accusing her OF
misconduct-slowly killed her by
striking her with a hammer pur-
chased especially for the occasion.
Mrs. Caffee nearly collapsed as
she went through the motions OF
the tragedy. She declared Mrs
Phillips invited her to go for an
ride and later asked (
Mrs. Meadows to accompany them. !
Then she STOPPED the car at a re-
mote spot, asked Mrs. Meadows to (
step out. accused her OF stealing J
her husbands love and attacked /
her with the hammer, Mrs. Caffee
When the doomed girl, held fast
by her exscutioner, shrieked for
help Mrs. Phillips shook the bloody |
hammer at Mrs Caffee, threatened |
her. then continued her grim work,
the witness asserted.
Police directed the taking OF |
photographs and the making OF
charts as Mrs. Caffee re-enacted the 1
tragedy. Later Mrs. Caffee was or
iered held incommunicado for the
lime being. She will be the chief
witness.
Phillips. husband OF the alleged
nurderess is under guard as ma
.erlal witness.
It was he who Informed police his
wife had confessed the killing to
him. enabling them to arrest her at
Tucson.
Phillips refused to comment on
he report hat Mrs. Meadows, five
hours before her death, had a long
telephone conversation with a man
he called Daddy" and arranged
o meet him that day.
I'VE won't talk about that now"
lie said. He insisted his relations
With the dead girl were honorable.
officials OF the First National
Bank where she was employed and
Ter intimate acquaintance said
hey could not believe she had been
unity OF misconduct with Phillips.
It was announced an inquest !
ro,,fd - ba1d ~ O a m MOudav ,