Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-24
CLARA TELLS HOW
SHE LANDED IN JAIL
INSTEAD OF PALACE
BY HERMAN ROBLETO

BY HERMAN ROBLEIU
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May
23.-Clara Phillips, hammer muir
deress," fled to Honduras in the be-
lief that the government would be
overthrown and that she and Jesse
Carson. her husband" would emerge
from the revolution as dictators of
the country.
This was revealed by Mrs. Phillips
today, in her first story of her Jail
break and remarkable flight across
Mexico.
Walking out Of Los Angeles county
Jail under the nose Of the guard"
she escaped to Mexico, Joined Carson,
was captured by Mexican rebels, lib
Grated, hid in a wild volcanic region,
and finally started for Honduras with
a fund of $4,000, while a steamer
loaded with munitions followed her
down the coast. But the plot by
which the tiger woman" was to
have been set up as "the first lady
of the land" was frustrated, and she
found herself in cell, arrested for
extradition to California to serve
time for beating Mrs Alberta Mead
ows to death with a hammer in a
fit of jealous rage. u.
Carson, in statement to the Hon
duras authorities today, made a full
confession of his part in the con-
spiracy to tear down the existing
government. He said many Ameri
cans were involved in the plot which
was directed from Vera Cruz.
Expected to Become Power
Mrs. Phillips also made a free
statement Of her part in it. She
came here from Mexico, she said, in
the firm belief that the revolution
would be successful and that I'M
limited power and money would be
hers.
my. escape was easy" Mrs. Phil
lips said. There was nothing sem
sational about it. I filed some of
the bars of the prison and quietly
left, passing right under the noses
Of the guards.
Through arrangements that had
been made in advance, it was not
difficult for me to leave Los Ange-
les and enter Mexico. There I met
Jesse Carson, and my sister, Mrs.
Eta May Jackson. There We were
captured by Mexican revolutionists.
We were held several days, and we
did not know what they intended to
do with us.
"When we were liberated, the
MeXicans left us at a place near the
American border. We sought refuge
in wild, desolate volcanic region.
1t was peopled only by wild animals
no human beings or houses.
1--WE suffered many hardships, but
finally reached Mexico City, where
I thought we would be safe. But
this man CARSON is a savage. He
talked freely of who we were, and
told me it would be necessary for us
to continue on to Honduras, where
"Then Carson told me that It was
best for US to go to Tegucigalpa, as
the government was to be over
thrown.
1--WE would then have power and
money, he said. Our safety would
| be absolutely assured, he pointed
out, because we would be in control
of the government.
Jail Instead of Palace
80 We came here, but something
seemed to have gone wrong. There
were counter orders issued, and in
stead of selling the national pal
ace, we found ourselves arrested"
ION March 25, in Vera Cruz, Mex
leo, Mr.. Ward gave me $4,000 to
take to a revolutionary leader in
Tegucigalpa, he said
This leader was to direct an arm
| ed uprising, which would overthrow
| the government. The steamer Te-
| huantepec left Vera Cruz with arms
and ammunition for the HOnduran
revolutionists, The actual military
| movements against the administra-
| ton were to be conducted from the
| Casino Espanol in Vera Cruz.
However, before reaching Tegucl
| galpa. ! received counter orders
which caused me to deliver the $780,
| 600 to a Mr.. Sharp in Guatemala"
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 being held here pending
an investigation into charges of CON
spiracy against the public order.
Escape Plot Is Feared
If the story Of the plot is true, it
| probably explains the organized eff
! forts that have been made to liberate
| Mrs. Phillips since her arrest. On
one occasion, a considerable number
Of men were involved in such an at,
tempt.
Every precaution is being taken
10 get Mrs. Phillips out of the coun-
try before an armed attempt is made
to free her. A special automobile.
! guarded, was sent to fetch the mail
pouches containing the extradition
| papers.
Mrs. Phillips and her sister were
unexpectedly placed in an automo-
bile and whisked away toward Puer
to Cortez one of the Atlantic ports
of Honduras. She wa: escorted by
Under-Sheriff BiscailuZ, Detective
Hunter and local authorities. Just
| bofOre this her trunks and other