Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-02
US. AGENT SHOT
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The couple then entered the dining
room and ordered food, displaying
revolvers to enforce the demand.
The disturbance attracted the at
tention of Policeman Stephens and
he entered the lobby. He wrenched
the pistol from Phillips companion
and started for the kitchen. where
he was told that another man was
terrorizing the hotel help.
At that moment Phillips entered
the lobby and ordered Stephens to
throw up his hands. Almost Instant
ly he fired at him, the bullet hitting
the policeman in the shoulder. Ste
phens grappled with Phillips. who
fred several more shots, none OF
which took effect. Most of the bull
lets hit the floor. The hotel en-
ployes and the reporters fled.
Whitson, attracted by the shots
and a suspicious man he saw out
side the hotel. slipped around to
the back door and shot Phillips
through the heart before he could
close on Stephens again. Phillips
was still alive when doctors arrived.
but soon died. His companion IN
the hotel and the man who had been
outside escaped.
Phillips. when shot, wore cap
JnaC D6iOHStu " NouSiII SeAAhoe@A -
Williamson county. and 1t was said
that he called on the sheriff several
times lately.
The sheriff, who had gone to the
capital to confer with General Black
about the need of troops. had said
that Phillips had called several
times, but did not divulge any par
ticular business.
The shooting today came on the
heels of the killing of S. Glen Young
and Deputy Sheriff Ora Thomas, who
shot each other to death in the lob
by of the European hotel few days
ago. AS soon as their funerals had
been held, and coroner's jury had
returned a verdict that they killed
each other, Sheriff Galligan request
ed troops be returned to Herrtn to
prevent a serious outbreak. ~
Testimony that Judge E. N. Bowen
of the Herrin city court was seen Sat-
urday in company with Phillips and
that the judge pointed out Fowler to
the stranger. was given in the inquest
over the shooting here this afternoon.
The fact that the stranger had tele-
phoned Fowler and attempted to per.
suade him to come to the hotel.
coupled with the testimony at the in
quest, was interpreted by klansmen
as meaning that a trap had been set
for Fowler. H..
The jury was unable to determine
the strangers name or his home. II
found that he came to his death from
a gunshot wound inflicted by Whitson.
Fowler on the stand testified that
Judge Bowen had driven by a garage
where Fowler was standing Saturday
and that he had pointed Fowler out
to stranger that was with him. Fow-
Ter said that the man with Bowen
was the slain man.
Jack Eberhardt, who was with Fow-
Ter. gave substantially the came tes-
timony, and C. G. Copeland testified
to having seen Bowen with the man.
All identified the person seen with
! Bowen as the dead man.
Major r. w. Davis and Lieutenants
Eugene Hansman and M. ID. boulder
! late today reported to Adjntant Gem
eral Black at Springfield that things
were quiet here. -,
The coroners jury exonerated Whit.
son.
ut was merely a case Of an officer
of the law performing his duty" Ma
jor Davis remarked.
The major said he had reported on
conditions in Herrin to Adjutant Gen.
eral Black but had made no recon-
mendations. He said his personal
opinion was that martial law was
mot necessary at this time"
Efforts to identify positively the
slain man continued tonight. ShsriFc
Galligan, at Marion, said the man had
been introduced to him last Thursday
or Friday by City Judge e. N. Bowen
| Of Herrin.
| Judge Bowen could not be reached
| tonight for statement.
Sheriff Galligan said he had declined
to go to Springfield today for a con-
ference requested by Adjutant General
+; Black because he had been advised