The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-23
Clara Phillips DiScIoSeS
Scheme to Overthrow Gov
ernment of Honduras,
PRISON ESCAPE DESCRIBED
Fugitive Goes Through Mexico
to Central America With
Money and Munitions,
By HERMAN ROBELTO
tCopyriaHf, 1925, bu Tnitrd Press
TEGUCIGALPA. Honduras.

TEGUCIGALPA. Honduras.
May 23.-Clara Phillips. "ham-
mer murderess," D." fed to Hon
duras in the belief the govern
ment would be overthrown and
she and Jesse Carson, her "hus-
band" would emerge from the
revolution as dictators of the
country.
This was revealed by Mrs Phillips
,oday in her first story Of her jail
break and remarkable fight across
Mexico. Walking out of Los Angeles
County jail under the nose of the
guard she escaped to Mexico. joined
Carson and was captured by Mexican
rebels, liberated. hid in wild vol
canic region and finally started for
Honduras with a fund Of $50 600. while
steamer loaded with munitions fol
lowed her down the coast.
But the plot by which the tiger
woman" was to have been set I'D as
the first lady # the land" was frus-
tFated. ard she found herself in a cell.
arrested for extradition TO California
20 serve her time for beating Mrs.
Alberta Meadows to death with A
hammer in a At Of jealous rage.
Carson, in a statement to the Hon
aurRs authorities. made 4 full confes-
sion Of his part In the conspiracy to
tear down the existing government.
he said many Americans were in
Rolved in the plot. which was directeu
rom Vera Cruz.
Escape Was Easy
Mrs. Phillips also made a free state
nent Of her part in it She came here
from Mexico. she said. in the firm be
lief that the revolution would be sue
cessful, and that unlimited power and
money would be hers
Starting her story at the beginning
Mrs. Phillips said:
'My escape was easy. There was
nothing sensational about it. I filed
come of the bars OF the prison and
quietly left passing right under the
noses of the guards.
We suffered many hardships. but
finally reached Mexico City, where
thought we would be safe. But this
man Carson is q savage. He talked
freely cf who we weer and told me il
would be necessary for us to continue
on 10 Honduras, where would be
perfectly safe.
Then Carson told me that il was
the government was to be overthrown.
Money Is Promised
We would then have power and
money, he said. Our safety would be
absolutely assured. he pointed out, be-
cause We would be in control of the
government.
so We came here, but something
were counter orders issued and instead
Of seizing the national palace. we
found ourselves arrested
Carson, called before the author
ties. made a detailed statement in
volving many prominent Houdurans
who are residing abroad.
ON March %, in Vera. Cruz,
Mexico. d Mr.. Ward gave me $4,000
to take to a revolutionary leader in
Tegucigalpa," he said
This leader was to direct an armed
uprising, which would overthrow the
government. The steamer Tehuante-
pee left Vera Cruz with arms and
ammunition for the Honduran revo-
Iutionists. The actual military move
ments against the administration were
to be conducted from the Casino Es-
panol in Vera Cruz.
However. before reaching Teguci-
galpa I received counter orders which
caused me TO deliver the $80O10 to At
Mr.. Sharpe in Guatemala"
Carson Is Det aimed
Carson mentioned the names of a
number of persons who he said were
involved, and they are being investi-
gated. Meanwhile, Carson, instead of
being sent back TO the United States,
Is detained hero pending conclusion
OF an investigation into charges Of
conspiracy against the public order.
Every precau:ion is being taken to
get Mrs. Phillips out of the country
before an armed attempt is made to
free her. A special automobile, guard
ed, was sent to fetch the mail pOucn
containing the extradition papers. Mrs.
Phillips and her sister were placed in
an automobile and whisked away to-
ward Puerto Cortez, one of the At
lantic ports Of Honduras.
The United States minister stated
that Mrs. Phillips would enter Amer
lcs through New Orleans.