Imperial Valley press., 1923-05-29
TIGER. WOMAN" IS
RETURNED BY WAY
OF new ORLEANS
Asserts Innocence and
Declares She Will
Prove 1t
CARSON HER AIDE
He Planned, Executed
L. A. Jail Escape
and Flight
BY United Press Leased Wire

BY United Press Leased Wire
NEW ORLEANS, La, May 90
Clara Phillips, fugitive hammer
murderess,'' who defied authorities
of several nations to make her cap
tive, was safely returned to the
United States from Honduras to-
day.
The sensational career of the no.
torious "tiger woman gilded with
tales of international intrigue and
cunning came to a dramatic climax
as the slayer of Alberta Meadows,
in custody Of Los Angeles officials
was brought ashore here from the
steamer Copan.
The woman whose daring break
from the Los Angeles Jail attract
ed nation wide attention, was de-
tanned in the city Jail here under
close guard, pending departure of a
train for Los Angeles.
Crowd is Silent
A crowd at the pier maintained a
grave silence as the ship warped to
the dock and Mrs. Phillips walked
down the gangplank, through the
narrow lane to waiting automobile
where she was whiskeu away 10 I'M
prisOnment.
The Tiger woman was dressed
in a simple brown frock which ac-
centuated the slender lines of her
figure.
II never welded hammer in
my life,' Mrs. Phillips said with
determination as she left the
steamer. II did not kill Alberta
Meadows, the rival for my hus-
band IS affections. Another woman
did it and ! am going to tell the
whole story when I get back to Los
Angeles.
81 am returning of my own free
will, although l could have remain
ed in Honduras. | am confident L
will prove my innocence.
Carson Posed as Husband
"Mr. Carson did pose as my hus-
band. My sister and l went to New
Orleans with him from Los Angeles
by way of st. Louis.
"Whiie we were enjoying our
selves here Mr.. Carson, who aided
me to escape from the priSn in Los
Angeles, was arranging for our pas
sage to Vera Cruz on the steamship
Baja.
Mr.. Carson,'' she said slowly
and with great emphasis, "acted
as my body guard. That was ALL"
Told of L. A. Escape
The "tiger woman" told of her
hair-breadth escape from the Los
Angeles Jail. The mysterious male
in her case, Jess Carson, whom she
termed ga soldier of fortune and
revolutionary adventurer," became
stirred by her appearance in court,
she said and was infatuated with
her.
One night with a steel hack saw
bcted to him, he scaled the outer
wall of the prison, crept over roof
to her cell and sawed through the
bars.
Depending upon his giant muscles
to lower her safely down from roof
gutter to a wall, she crept with him
to safety.
After month in hiding, Clara
and her married sister, Mrs. Eta
May jackson, disguised themselves
i'll loose fitting clothes and horn
! trimmed spectacles and went to st.
Louis over the Salt Lake route.
They were Immediately transferred
to New Orleans by the Southern Pa
cific.
Went to Vera Cruz
From here they went TO Vera
Cruz, thence to Mexico City where
they were traced by newspaper re,
porter working in conjunction with
Sheriff Tracger of Los Angeles.
Learning she was discovered Mrs.
Phillips and her two companions
dashed by rail to the Southern Mex
lean border and proceeded into
Guatemala. They finally worked
their way through Guatemala and
Salvador and arrived at their last
destination in Central America, Te-
gucigalpa, Honduras.
There Carson began laving plans
for a revolution. Mrs. Phillips was
taken through giddy whirl cf
social events and met every minister
and politician Of note in the little
country.
Was Released
Under Sheriff Biscailuz then took
up the story.
"We found Mrs. Phillips had
gained the favor of government Of.
ficials in Honduras, Z" he said. "Shc
was released on writ of habeas
corpus granted by the supreme court
of that country the night before she
left with us for the states. She IL
coming back of her own free will
and could have stayed If she had 40
desired We persuaded her 10 waive
extradition and come back with us
to face the music. -