Monroe Phillips & The Brunswick Massacre

In light of recent events (seven found dead in a mobile home and two more in critical condition on 29 August 2009 CLICK LINK to download BBC video documentary) I wanted to point out that this is not the first time that such a horrible "massacre" has happened in Brunswick's history.  On Saturday 6 March 1915 in the middle of downtown Brunswick, Monroe Phillips decided he had had enough.  Pressure was mounting from business deals gone wrong and what he deemed as an attack on his character by people wishing to see him fail.  Monroe grabbed his shot gun and decided to see the man who pushed him over the edge.  Phillips started with the man who was immediately attacking him, Col. Dunwody, and ran into his office and just randomly shot at those inside the office.  He then decided to kill his own lawyer, Albert Fendig, who as luck would have it, was out of office that day.  These actions, unfortunately, did not appease the wrath of Phillips so he walked out onto the streets of downtown Brunswick and just started shooting at everyone in his path.

The result, 8 dead including Phillips, many more wounded physically and mentally.  Families destroyed and the peace of Brunswick destroyed as well.  The horrible deaths that occurred sometime late Friday 28 August 2009 in north Glynn County was not the first time that such a heinous crime was committed.  The motives may have been different but the end results were the same.

            It was a quiet Saturday morning, children were playing in the streets and alleyways, residents were strolling along the streets conducting their Saturday business, men were in the barber shop getting a shave and a hair cut, and local business men were in their offices conducting last minute business tasks before Sunday.
            No one could have foreseen what was about to happen, an action such as this never crossed the minds of the peaceful citizens of Brunswick.  By the end of the day, 32 people were wounded 5 were dead, and three more were not expected to live.
            Monroe Phillips was born on 18 May 1856 in Bibb Co., Georgia to parents Henry Haywood and Martha Catherine (Durden) Phillips.  According to news accounts he was over 6 feet tall and weighed in at about 210 pounds, more or less.  He came from a large family, one of eight children, a family that mainly settled around Twiggs and Bibb County.
            Monroe became involved in timber and real estate, owning properties in his home town, and later moving to Brunswick where he started conducting real estate deals and other transactions.  He married sometime before 1884 to Ophelia Rebecca Durden, daughter of Wiley Jomney and Levonia (Cowart) Durden.  To this union were born three children who survived to adulthood:  Ida Belle born 1884; William Rabun “Rabe” born 1890; and Millard Jenkins Taylor Phillips born about 1901.
            The scene opens at Col. Harry Franklin Dunwody’s office (today known as the Dunwody Building on the corner of Newcastle & Gloucester Streets), the man on the top of the list of those who had wronged Phillips.  Without a thought, without a pause, Phillips pointed his shot gun at Dunwody’s head and pulled the trigger, killing the man instantly.  A client, Albert M. Way, tried to duck for cover, but Phillips unloaded the second barrel, hitting Way in the face leaving him hanging on for life.  The only person spared in the office was secretary Ila Lee.
            As Phillips went down the stairs to exit the Dunwody Building, he reloaded his shotgun in time to pull the trigger yet again and shot off-duty police officer L.C. Padgett in the chest, causing him a slow and painful death, making 2 casualties in a matter of minutes.  Judge Eustace C. Butts was standing right behind Padgett and was wounded in the leg; he and passersby carried a dying Padgett to a nearby drug store.  By this time numerous people were on the streets and coming out of businesses wondering what was happening.
            His ire fueled, Phillips was on an unchecked rampage through downtown Brunswick.  He fired random shots aiming first at Kaiser’s, a woman’s boutique, causing women to panic, run for their lives, some even fainted on the spot.  No one was hurt.  He reloaded again, now on to his next planned assassination.
            Albert Fendig, born on 27 October 1870 in Jasper Co., Indiana; first generation born in America, was an aspiring businessman whose descendants still live here today.  Fendig was the next target, and as his luck would have it, he was away on business.  Phillips was met by William King Boston, whose life was spared because, according to Phillips, Boston was always a good friend.
            Outside of Fendig’s office Phillips decided to head towards Branch’s Drugstore where the dying Padgett was taken.  On his way over, he gunned down streetcar conductor George W. Asbell as he was running to help Padgett, leaving his vehicle in the road.
            From there Phillips became indiscriminate in his targets, shooting randomly, his first victim being undertaker William Hackett who was riddled with buckshot.  Then twenty-year old Gunnar Tolnas was shot down from his bicycle, dying several days later from the wound in his back.
            Standing on the corner, Phillips aimed towards the Brunswick Bank and Trust Company hitting several people, one woman, Annie J. Slater, was saved by her corset staye that deflected a stray buck shot.  Herbert Miller was shot in the chest, but was unharmed; however, he was left with a memento, a nickel with a piece of number 12 buckshot imbedded in it.
            Ernest McDonald had recently gotten over a horrible bout of pneumonia, it wasn’t expected for him to live, but he overcame and on that fateful day decided to go for a shave and hair cut.  As he stepped out of the barber shop, lather still covering his face, he was shot down in the street, he struggled for life that night and was expected to survive, but his body was still weakened from the bout of pneumonia, he did not live.
            Soon, the police were on the scene, having a shoot out with Phillips in the middle of Newcastle Street.  Rookie officer Rex Deaver, with only 60 days on the force, wounded Phillips before being shot himself.  He died on the way to the hospital.
            While all the mayhem was unfolding, Butts and a young man named Ralph Joseph Minehan ran to the United Supply Company and purchased a shot gun and a 32-caliber pistol with ammunition.  Together they slipped in the back door of the drug store, and while Phillips was shooting at Deaver, they took aim, Minehan firing off about five shots and Butts firing the shot gun, hitting Phillips in the kidneys, Monroe died within minutes.  The massacre was over; it had lasted only ten minutes.
            And then, pandemonium.  Who was dead, who was dying, who was just hurt, who needed medical attention fastest, and how would they get everyone to the hospital several blocks away?
            Confederate Veteran L.J. Leavy, Sr. was transported to the hospital but walked in under his own power with a wound in his right soldier.  Albert Way sat idly by while those more seriously wounded were tended to; he lost his eye as a result of his wounds.  Among the wounded was Dr. R.L. Fox, who dressed his wounds and started tending to the rest.  Fox was hit in the neck by small shot that was never removed.  It was assumed that this buckshot contributed to his death years later.
            So what caused this rampage, this psychotic break in one man’s life?  According to sources at the time Phillips was never a very stable man; he had very peculiar habits and an explosive temper.  He was always under the impression that people were out to get him, to cause him harm or ruin his life.  He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist from Milledgeville as a “paranoiac of the most vicious kind”.  It was obvious to those around him that he was just a powder-keg waiting to explode.
            Many wondered why he was not treated before he got worse, this is hind sight though, I’m sure there were many more who thought nothing of his aggressive and unusual behavior.  There weren’t any organizations back then to help a man such as this, no medications, nothing to inform the public that a person with this type of attitude could be a danger to society and himself.
            The very next week, the epidemic of random violent acts started.  Henry Beatenbaugh of Waycross shot and killed W.H. Hunter in Dickinson’s Store at Waycross, Ware County, Georgia.  Not only did he kill Hunter, but he wounded Sam Brady, then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.  What spurred this violence that was slated to end the lives of more than Mr. Hunter?  An argument at work over a monkey wrench, unfortunately the news article was cut out of the  paper, the outcome of this is not known by me.
            It didn’t end there, the fuse was lit for many more imbalanced people to step forward and release their pent up rages and delusions of revenge using the Brunswick Massacre as their excuse.
            Ten days after Phillips’ rage a Macon youth, badly affected by the Brunswick tragedy, opened fire inside a store trying to kill his sweetheart and later killing himself.  Twenty one year old George Cheatham was suspicious of his brother Rufus’ attentions towards 16 year old Lucile Pinholser, and decided that, like Monroe Phillips, he would just go out and kill everyone involved in his twisted love triangle, and anyone who was in the way.
            He entered the store of D.F. Pinholser around 1 o’clock in the afternoon and opened fire on Lucile and her two younger brothers, Sherwood aged 4 years and Raymond aged 2 years.  His own brother running out the store and escaping injury.  George left the store and about a hundred yards away in a gulley, he turned the gun on himself and fired, death was instantaneous his body was discovered an hour later.  The young Pinholser children all escaped mortal wounds, as George loaded his shot gun with bird shot.
            George Cheatham’s father stated that his son had been worried over the Monroe Phillips shooting and would constantly talk about it so much so, that his father thought his son was mentally unbalanced.  R.S. Cheatham, the father, stated that his son always complained about his head, possibly early signs of schizophrenia.  George had lost his job days earlier, then the tragedy in Brunswick, and his suspicions of his brother combined to a boiling point.
            These terrorist acts that we see today in our schools, shopping malls, etc., are not a new occurrence.  Even long ago, when they happened, one random act of violence spurred other outbursts.  The reasons behind the latter outbursts were always attributed to the first act.  Monroe Phillips’ rage gave others the match to light their own fire.

News Articles

The Brunswick News; Sunday 7 March 1915; Pg. 1 all 

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY ENACTED HERE WITH HORRIBLE RESULTS—MONROE PHILLIPS KILLS FIVE AND WOUNDS MANY—WITH DOUBLE-BARREL SHOT-GUN HE SHOOTS AT ALL IN HIS SIGHT—Load of Shot Fired by E.C. Butts Ends Life of the Man Who Was Author of the Wholesale Slaughter of Prominent Brunswick People—HON. H.F. DUNWODY WAS THE FIRST VICTIM TO FALL—L.C. Padgett, Geo. Asbell, William A. Hackett and R.N. Deaver Then Brought Down in the Order Named—Three of Wounded Men Reported to Be in Serious Condition Last Night—Brunswick Thrown in Reign of Terror by Awful Tragedy.

THE DEAD—H.F. Dunwody, Lawyer; Wm. A. Hackett, Undertaker; George W. Asbell, former police officer; R.N. Deaver, policeman; L.C. Padgett, ex-policeman; Monroe Phillips, real estate and timber dealer.

THE INJURED—Those whose injuries are considered serious are:  Ernest McDonald, butcher, shot in stomach and leg broken by buckshot.
            Gunner Tolnas, bank collector, shot through back and lungs.
            Albert M. Way, real estate dealer, shot in face, eye and tongue.
            L.J. Leavy, county officer, shot in back and in chest.
            S. Levison, merchant, shot in face.
            Others who were struck by stray buckshot and more or less wounded were:
            R.L. Fox, physician; Geo. M. Smith, cashier Brunswick Bank and Trust Company; E.C. Butts, lawyer, who finally killed Phillips; Tom Ford, Southern Railway engineer; S.A. Ellard, insurance agent; P.H. Crumpler, farmer; Isaac Cohen, collector; A.H. Boyle, member city council; H.M. Frank, physician; Claude Walker, bank clerk; W.H. Berrie, Jr., clerk; B.T. Brown, carpenter; Alex. Lorentzson, clerk; H. Jennings, barber; T.B. Burns, wheelwright; R. Skipper, barrelmaker; W.J. Way, insurance agent; Herbert Smith, auto dealer.
            Within the twinkling of an eye, in a community full of peace and happiness, under skies as beautifully blue as those which hung above the homes of our first ancestors, Brunswick’s hospital here pressed into service yesterday morning, while Brunswick’s undertaking establishments were converted into veritable morgues.  Within ten minutes, from the time Monroe Phillips, well known about the city, a man of ill-temper and burly form, merged into the law offices of Hon. H.F. Dunwody shortly after 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning, thirty-two Brunswickians felt the force of bullets from an old-fashioned 10-bore Parker shotgun.  Col. Dunwody was evidently murdered at his desk; he was found a few minutes afterwards in a reclining position in a desk chair, a head full of buckshot into his left cheek had literally destroyed the [illegible], penetrating the brain just below the left ear, causing death instantly.
            Coming down the stairs, after encountering Mr. A.M. Way, and emptying a load of buckshot inot his face, the blood-crazed man, with gun in position, after warning passersby to scatter, again emptied his gun; this time laying low C.L. Padgett, former policeman.  On he went like some crazed demon, shooting as he advanced with the wide world for his target, caring little who he murdered or why.  Asbell, a man of undaunted courage, unknowingly pursuing his own way, feel into his pathway, a load of buckshot in the back of his head, brought him to earth.  William Hackett, well-beloved and who, in his time, has tenderly prepared many Brunswickians for their last sad trip; crossing the street [illegible] trying to get out of reach, was the next victim.  [The rest of paragraph is illegible] before an automobile could reach the hospital.
            In the meantime the avenging spirit was busy, but the man who had inflicted death so calmly was doomed to meet that article by the same instrument in which he was dispensing it.  Eustace Butts, and it was a nervy act, after having been shot in the leg, armed himself with a shotgun, entered the rear door of Branch’s pharmacy, and while Phillips was in the act of killing others, a well aimed shot from Butts’ gun did its work.  Phillips lingered for eight or ten minutes.  In his conscious moments remorse did not seize him, and he begged that those who had shot him finish their work.  While all this was transpiring, it must be remembered that twenty-five or thirty other people, some of them perhaps fatally, had been the victims of this trusty gun; from the spent bullet, which did little damage to the shot at close range, penetrating the vitals, damage was inflicted right and left.

SCENES EXCITING

            The scene in the heart of the city where business traffic is large immediately following and during the shooting beggars description; people were hurrying and scurrying for shelter; in two minutes perhaps after the last man was killed there was not a person on the street, and yet within a few minutes after Phillips had been felled, pandemonium and excitement vied with each other.  The news scattered quickly; all of the murdered men were well known, and a scene of general confusion and bewilderment followed.
            Those who were seriously wounded were rushed to the city hospital; every physician in the city was summoned there, and every ward in the big building had one or more patients within its gloomy confines.  Just here it must be said that too much praise cannot be given to the doctors and the hospital management for the promptness, the discipline and the splendid order and regularity in which the suffering was relieved and the gruesome work was done of administering to the afflicted.

PHILLIPS HAD THREATENED

            The frightful drama staged so horribly here today has a background extending for several years.  Just where it had its beginning cannot really be stated.  It is known, however, that Monroe Phillips, a sort of financial plunger, real estate operator and more or less of a business man, has been involved in much litigation since his residence in Brunswick.  He was over bearing in his manner, did not make friends easily, was morose and ugly in his disposition, and has been suffering from imaginary wrong perpetrated upon him by leading Brunswick business men.  For instance he had stated openly that Albert Fendig, wealthy real estate man, banker, etc., was due him $25,000 as commission on a big real estate transaction, in which he and Mr. Fendig had figured.  Likewise, he claimed that R.E. Briesenick, prominent capitalist, was due him sums of money.  His hatred extended to the lawyers, who brought suit and represented clients against him.  The direct trouble is due to the sale of a lighter to Savannah parties, consummated several days ago by Phillips.  The Savannah people wanted a clean title to the property; there were liens against it, represented by Brunswick attorneys, Mr. Dunwody among them, and a conference was fixed for 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning in Mr. Dunwody’s office.  It seems, however, that before filing this engagement Mr. Phillips visited his own lawyer, Judge D.W. Krauss, and was told that Mr. Dunwody, representing local creditors, whom Phillips hated, were insisting that liens against the property be wiped out.  It is known that Phillips invited at least one of those claimants to go with him to the Dunwody office; this was refused and still suffering from bad temper, Phillips bolted into Dunwody’s office to adjust the matter in his own way.
            While some people think that Phillips had a regular list of six or eight people marked for death, others believe that after murdering Col. Dunwody and perhaps mortally wounding Mr. Way, and after having strode through the Fendig offices, seeking Mr. Fendig, he concluded to shoot until he was shot to death.
            Phillips is said to have believed that he had been prevented from obtaining commissions on a large real estate deal by several prominent men.  He is said to have threatened their lives and to have made a list of six men he intended to kill.  Little attention was paid to his threats.

A RECENT DEAL

            A few days ago he sold a lighter to a man named Quinlan of Savannah, who paid $75 to bind the deal.  The purchaser arrived yesterday for the lighter, but found it had been attached by a number of creditors.  The lighter belonged to Phillips’ wife, to whom he had paid the $75.
            Mr. Dunwody was attorney for most of the creditors.  Shortly before Phillips came to his office Mrs. Phillips called the lawyer over the telephone and urged him to dismiss the attachments.  J.S. Brailey was in the office at the time and said he heard Mr. Dunwody say to Mrs. Phillips, “You just want to keep that $75.”
            Accompanied by her husband, Mrs. Phillips is said to have gone to the office of a lawyer who had been representing them.  Soon after Phillips, carrying a double barrel shotgun went to Mr. Dunwody’s office at Newcastle and Gloucester streets.
            He was met by Mr. Dunwody’s stenographer, who, when he asked if Mr. Dunwody was in, told him he was busy and would see him later.  Phillips brushed her aside and entered the office.
            Mr. Dunwody was seated in a chair at his desk talking to Mr. A.M. Way.  Without warning he raised the shotgun, loaded with buckshot, and fired point blank at the lawyer, who was almost instantly killed.  He then fired at Mr. Way, who fell to the floor mortally wounded with one eye almost shot out.
            There were many persons on the street and in Branch’s drug store directly beneath the office.  Hearing the shooting they rushed to the street.  Padgett and Mr. Butts went to the foot of the stairs leading from the second story to the street.  Just then Phillips appeared at the head of the stairs.  He had reloaded the gun and fired at the group at the foot of the steps.  Padgett fell fatally wounded and Butts was shot through the right leg.
            There was a hasty break for safety on the part of other persons near the stairs.  Butts and others lifted Padgett, who was dying in their arms, and carried him into the drug store.  He died a few minutes later.

SHOOTS AT RANDOM

            Phillips calmly walked down the stairs, placing a shell in the empty barrel.  He walked into the office of Albert Fendig & Co. and said to have been on the list he intended to kill.  Mr. Fendig was not in the office, but he was met in the office by W.K. Boston.  “I am not going to kill you; you have been my friend,” he said to him.
            Just before he entered the office he fired a shot across the street, where a number of ladies were shopping in Kaiser’s store.  None was struck by the bullets, but some fainted.  Pandemonium reigned in the store and there was a rush rear exits.
            After he left Fendig’s office Phillips started toward Branch’s drug store, next door.  Asbell walked out of the store.  Without [page 7] a word of warning Phillips fired, killing him instantly.

BUTTS SECURES GUN

            In the meantime Butts had gone to the hardware store of the United Supply Company and asked for a shotgun.  He said he realized Phillips could not be stopped until he was wounded and he requested the clerk to give him number three shot so he would not kill him.  The clerk, however, gave him buckshot.  It was not until sometime after Phillips had been killed that Butts learned he had not used the smaller shot.
            When he entered the drug store through a side door Phillips was firing through the front door.  Butts endeavored to get in position to try to shoot the shotgun out of his hands, but failed.  Phillips was reloading for another shot when Butts fired, Phillips sank to the floor shot through the kidneys.  He lived a few minutes.
            “Well, you’ve just about got me; finish it up,” he said.
            R.J. Minehan also figured in the shooting of Phillips, and that one of the shots fired from his revolver struck him was shown when a 32-caliber pistol ball was removed from his body.  Mr. Minehan secured the 32-caliber pistol from the United Supply Company at the same time Mr. Butts secured the shotgun and they returned to the drug store together.  Mr. Minehan walked in the drug store ahead of Mr. Butts and fired five times at Mr. Phillips while he was engaged in the duel with Officer Deaver.  It was a few seconds after Mr. Minehan had emptied the chamber of the revolver when Mr. Butts fired.
            As soon as it was known that Phillips had been killed people left their places of business and rushed to the scene to aid the wounded.  Fully sixteen shots had been fired by Phillips.
            Every vehicle in sight was pressed into service to take the wounded to the hospital and their homes and remove the dead.  Every physician in the city went to the hospital to attend the wounded.  Dr. Fox dressed his own wound as soon as he reached there, then turned his attention to others more seriously wounded.

THE DEAD

            Hon. H.F. Dunwody was born in Marietta October 1, 1863, and was 52 years of age.  He was reared and spent his young boyhood in McIntosh county.  At the conclusion of his high school period there he entered the University of Georgia and was gradauated in 1884 with the degree of bachelor of art.  He was admitted to the bar in 1885, and immediately began his practice in Brunswick, at one time being a member of the law firm of Atkinson & Dunwody, being composed of Mr. Dunwody and Judge Samuel C. Atkinson, now of the supreme court of Georgia.  Mr. Dunwody held many positions of honor and trust in this community.  He was solicitor of the old county court from 1888 to 1890; served several terms in both houses of the Georgia legislature and in both branches of them gained distinction.  At one time in a contest for the presidency of the state senate he was defeated by a single vote by Hon. Robert L. Berner, the well known Georgian.  He was mayor of the city of Brunswick for two terms, and unquestionably made Brunswick one of her best chief executives.
            He was married on June 21, 1897 to Miss Scotia Walter [sic] of Savannah and they have two children, McDonald, 19 years, and Mary Scotia, 13 years.
            Harry Dunwody was probably the best known citizen in South Georgia; he was a lawyer of ability, enjoyed a large clientele and his public life and his private life were beyond reproach.  He was a staunch Brunswickian and in his untimely taking away Brunswick loses one of her first citizens.
            Because of the remote residence of one of his brothers, Dr. J.A. Dunwody, once of Brunswick, now residing in Colorado, and who will attend the funeral, arrangements have not been perfected.  It will probably take place on Tuesday and it is not definitely known whether the interment will take place in Brunswick or in Savannah.
            William A. Hackett came to Brunswick in 1869, and therefore has been a continuous resident of this city for 46 years.  During all of these years he has been engaged in the undertaking business, and by his uniform courtesy, high character and splendid ability he made friends wherever his mission of sorrow called him.  He was prominent in secret order work, and was never happier than when taking part in these weekly meetings.  He was especially fond of the Knights of Pythias work, was a charter member of Rathbone lodge and enjoys the unique distinction of having occupied every chair in the lodge.
            George Asbell was born and practically raised in Brunswick.  There were two strong characteristics in the life of this unfortunate who went down in yesterday’s tragedy—he was honest and he was brave, and for practically all of his life from young manhood he has been connected with the Brunswick police department.  At the time of his death, however, he was a motorman in the service of the City and Suburban Railway Company.  He was a good citizen and had a host of friends, who are grieved at his untimely death.
            R.N. Deaver, 23 years old, born and practically raised on St. Simons island, removed to Brunswick several years ago, and on January 6 was elected a member of the Brunswick police department.  He has therefore had but sixty days of service in this work, but it was demonstrated yesterday that his election was no mistake when he met death as only an officer should meet it, bravely and unflinchingly.
            C.L. Padgett has resided in Brunswick for several years, and for a long time was employed as motorman on the City and Suburban.  He spent a year on the local police department, but left that service on January first to engage in other business.  He was about twenty-seven years of age and was unmarried.
            Monroe Phillips came to Brunswick from near Macon six or seven years ago.  He was reported to have brought considerable money with him to this city; engaged extensively in real estate manipulations and was regarded as a good trader.  Phillips was not without his friends and many of them were fond of him.  However, he seems to have been suffering with business reverses for two or three years and was a victim of his own imagination that many people were conspiring to bring about his financial ruin.  He leaves a most estimable wife, who has a large circle of friends, and who are deeply sympathizing with her in the serious trouble that has come into her life.  Two sons and one daughter survive.  His remains will be shipped to the old family home at Reids, near Macon, this morning for interment.

STATEMENT MADE BY MRS. MONROE PHILLIPS

            Mrs. Monroe Phillips wife of the man who was the author of yesterday’s tragedy, made a statement to a close friend last night.  She is quoted as having said that while in Savannah a few days ago she sold a lighter; that $75 cash was paid upon it; that she was supposed to collect the rest of it when she made title and delivered the property.  In the meantime she said that Mr. Dunwody had advised that certain claims had been filed against the property and that title could not be made until they were satisfied.
            She said she called Mr. Dunwody over the telephone yesterday morning and told him she was unable to get the proceeds from the lighter sale, and that she had an engagement to meet Judge D.W. Krauss, her husband and Mr. Dunwody in Judge Krauss’ office later in the morning, and asked if Mr. Dunwody would be there; that Mr. Dunwody was caustic in his reply, practically insulting her, by saying that she was aiding her husband in an effort to cheat the Savannah people out of $75.
            Mrs. Phillips then said that she went straight to Judge Krauss’ office, met her husband there and told him what Mr. Dunwody had said to her.  That Mr. Phillips then left the office of Judge Krauss and remarked that he would go and “see Mr. Dunwody.  This is said to be the last time Mrs. Phillips saw her husband.
            She state further to this friend that when Mr. Phillips left home yesterday morning he carried no weapon, was not in an ill humor and that in telling him what had occurred between she and Mr. Dunwody, she had no idea that it would bring about any trouble.

MRS. ILA LEE TALKS OF AWFUL TRAGEDY

            Miss Ila Lee, stenographer for Hon. H.F. Dunwody, who was in an outer office when Mr. Dunwody was killed, made a statement last night as to what occurred in the offices.
            Miss Lee stated that shortly after she arrived at the office, that Mr. Dunwody had a conversation over the telephone with Mrs. Phillips.  She then took a dictation from Mr. Dunwody and went into the outer office to write a letter and found a note from Mr. A.M. Way, asking Mr. Dunwody to call Mr. Way.  This was done and Mr. Way arrived in Mr. Dunwody’s office in a few minutes.
            Miss Lee when Mr. Way arrived was in the outer office, and did not see Mr. Way enter Mr. Dunwody’s office through another door.  She was in the outer office working on a typewriter when Mr. Phillips entered her office and asked if Mr. Dunwody was in.  She replies that he was, but that he was busy just at that time.  She said that Mr. Phillips then went to the folding door, threw it open, leveled his gun and fired.  Miss Lee then went into the library and phoned to Mr. J.S. Dunwody, brother of the deceased.  Phillips, she thinks, walked out of the office, but a few seconds returned and fired again.  Miss Lee, after she was sure Phillips had left the office, returned to the outer office.  Mr. Way was then leaning against the folding door, calling for assistance.  Miss Lee saw Mr. Dunwody seated in the chair at his desk, and realized at once that he was dead.

TWO OF INJURED REPORTED TO BE BADLY WOUNDED—Gunner Tolnas and Ernest McDonald Were Lingering Between Life and Death at Late Hour last night.

            At an early hour this morning The News made inquiry at the city hospital as to the condition of the patients being treated at that institution, and, while the exact condition of them all could not be stated, still it was said that two of the men were in a very serious condition.
            Gunner Tolnas was reported to be in a most serious condition, and physicians stated that it would be today before it could be ascertained definitely just the full extent of the wounds.  This young man was struck by several buckshot.
            Ernest McDonald was also reported to be in a serious condition, and but little hope was entertained for his recovery, though he revived slightly at midnight and seemed to be resting easier.  Mr. McDonald has just recovered from a long siege of illness.  He too was struck by several buckshot.  His condition is thought to be fatal.
            A.M. Way was reported to be resting easier after an operation performed by Dr. Chisholm of Savannah.  It was necessary to remove his right eye.  He stood the operation well.  While Mr. Way was seriously wounded, his condition is not considered as serious as the others.
            S. Levison is also in bad shape.  He received a serious wound in the neck and was struck by other buckshots.  However, he was reported to be resting easy last night.
            L.J. Leavy, who was also placed in the hospital, his injury being a buckshot wound to the right shoulder.  After he was dressed he was removed to his home and was reported to be resting easy last night.  His advanced age, however, together with his recent long illness, are against him.
            The report in circulation last night that Alderman A.H. Boyle was in a serious condition, but information last night was to the effect that his injuries, while painful, were not serious.
            Jerre Wilcher, who was also reported to have been seriously wounded, is in the city hospital, and is resting easy.

MANY WERE SAVED BY SMALL SHOT—Had All Shells Been Loaded With Buckshot Many Would Have Been Killed.

            When Monroe Phillips, in gathering a pocketful of shells yesterday morning and started out on his rampage, picked up a half dozen shells loaded with small shot, he saved the lives of two or three other citizens, though he doubtless did not realize it at the time.
            It developed after the shooting that Phillips was firing both buckshot and small shot, and a number of citizens were struck by the latter.  Among these was Dr. R.L. Fox.  A few of these small shot struck him in the neck and as he was not a great distance it is more than probable that had the shell been loaded with buckshot he would have been killed or seriously injured.
            There were a number of other citizens who felt small shot [rest of paragraph illegible].

Pg. 8 col. 4

MRS. H.F. DUNWODY WAS AWAY ON PLEASURE TRIP

            When her husband was shot to death by Monroe Phillips yesterday morning, Mrs. H.F. Dunwody was on a pleasure trip with a party of friends to Fernandina.  She left the city about two hours before the tragedy, and was en route to Fernandina when the shooting occurred.  The tug Inca was at once chartered and left shortly after noon.  The party had reached their destination, but Mrs. Dunwody and others returned on the Inca, arriving in the city shortly after 6 o’clock.

MANY AT MEETING AT CITY HALL YESTERDAY MORNING

            The meeting held at the city hall yesterday morning for the purpose of discussing better marketing conditions of Glynn county products, was largely attended demonstrating that the people of the county are interested in this matter.
            The meeting was in progress when the awful tragedy occurred and consequently the work was not completed.

HUNDREDS OF TELEGRAMS RECEIVED HERE YESTERDAY

            Brunswick’s two telegraph offices were kept busy yesterday from the minute of the awful tragedy until well after midnight.  Telegrams of condolence to bereaved families in the city were received from all sections of the country.
            Press dispatches sent out during the day amounted to some five or six thousand words.  Georgia papers called for special stories on the awful affair, while the Associated Press used a half dozen stories during the day.  Both of the offices rendered good service in handling the unusual rush.

 

The Atlanta Constitution Journal (Atlanta, Georgia) Sunday 7 March 1915 pg. 1 col. 4 & pg. 4 col. 3

5 SLAIN, 32 WOUNDED, BY MAN CRAZED BY BELIEF HE HAD BEEN VICTIMIZED—Monroe Phillips, Declaring He Had Been Robbed of $25,000, Started Out to Kill Six Whom He Had on List.—THREE OF THE WOUNDED IN BRUNSWICK TRAGEDY ARE EXPECTED TO DIE—Harry F. Dunwoody, Wm. M. Hackett, E.M. Deaver, L.C. Padgett and Geo. W. Asbell Were Killed—Slayer Thought Unbalanced by Financial Reverses.

            Brunswick, GA., March 6—(Special) Claiming that prominent Brunswick business men had stolen $25,000 from him and declaring he had a list of six whom he intended to murder, Monroe Phillips, a real estate and timber dealer, armed with a automatic shotgun, ran amuck for half an hour in the business district here today, killed five citizens, wounded thirty-two and was himself shot dead.
            Of the wounded Gunner Tolnas, a bank collector, A.M. Way and Ernest McDonald probably will die.

THE DEAD:
            HARRY F. DUNWOODY, prominent attorney
            WILLIAM M. HACKETT, undertaker.
            R.M. DEAVER, former policeman.
            GEORGE W. ASBELL, motorman.
            MONROE PHILLIPS, real estate and timber dealer.

            Among the more seriously wounded are:
            Ernest McDonald
            Albert M. Way, real estate dealer.
            L.J. Levy, Sr.
            Sigmund Levison, merchant.
            Gunner Tolnas, bank clerk.
            Dr. R.L. Fox.
            W.H. Berry, merchant.

            Others wounded are George H. Smith, cashier of the Brunswick Bank and Trust company; Tom Ford engineer of the Southern railway; W.O. Holt, an electrician; R.G. Jackson, an insurance agent; Isaac Cohen, a collector; Jerry Wilcher; T.H. Crumpler, a farmer; S.A. Ellardy, employed by the Southern Express company.

CAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY

            The cause of the shooting is gradually leaking out.  The drama staged so horribly has a background extending for several years.  Recently he has been suffering from the delusion that local people had wronged him.
            It is known that Phillips had been involved in much litigation since his residence in Brunswick.  A few days ago he sold a lighter to Savannah parties and the purchase money was tied up in attachments.  Colonel Dunwoody represented some of the claimants and an hour before the shooting Phillips and Dunwoody discussed the matter over the phone.
            Phillips then took his shotgun and went out for trouble.  He had claimed to friends that prominent Brunswick business men had stolen $25,000 from him, and he had a list of six whom he intended to murder today.

WANTED TO SLAY OTHERS

            After he had killed two men he walked into the office of Albert Fendig with the expressed purpose of murdering him, and also sought R.E. Briesnick and others.
            It was at the busiest hour of the day that Phillips, carrying his shotgun walked into the office of Colonel Dunwoody, on the second floor of a building in the center of the business district.  He fired two barrels into the lawyer’s head, killing him instantly.  Phillips then shot Albert M. Way, who was in Dunwoody’s office.
            The slayer walked down the stairs to the street where several citizens, attracted by the shots, had gathered, Phillips fired into the crowd, killing Padgett.  He then began shooting into a crowd of men who collected on the opposite side of the street, wounding several citizens and killing Asbell.  Pedestrians began running to places of shelter.
            Phillips reloaded his gun as he walked to the corner of Newcastle and Gloucester streets, and took up his station in front of a drug store, where he began shooting at every person who appeared on the street.  Several persons standing blocks away from the drug store were struck by stray shots.  Mr. Hackett was killed as he stepped from a building onto the street.
            Presently Policeman Deaver came running up to the scene and began shooting at Phillips, who turned his gun upon the officer and shot him dead.  A bullet from the policeman’s revolver, however, wounded Phillips.

PHILLIPS KILLED BY BUTTS

            Mr. Butts, who had been struck by a shot from Phillips’ gun, rushed to a hardware store and, obtaining a pistol, began firing at the crazed timber dealer.  A bullet from the lawyer’s pistol finally struck Phillips and he fell to the sidewalk, dying within a few minutes.
            When the shooting ended ambulances and automobiles hurried the more seriously wounded to the hospital and all the physicians in the city were called out to attend to them.
            Phillips had been a resident of Brunswick about twelve years and had been involved in considerable litigation in local courts.  It was stated he recently lost considerable money in real estate transactions and had had dealings with Mr. Dunwoody.  He owned several tracts of land near Macon.
            Mr. Dunwoody was one of the most prominent citizens of Brunswick.  He at one time was mayor and also had served in the Georgia legislature as a representative and a state senator.  He was a nephew of Justice S.C. Atkinson of the state supreme court.

DUNWOODY WELL KNOWN IN ATLANTA

            Harry Dunwoody was well known in Atlanta, having many relatives here of prominence.  He was a cousin of Judge Spencer R. Atkinson who was informed Saturday by telegram of the tragedy.  He was born in 1863 and at one time practiced law in Judge Atkinson’s law offices at Brunswick.
            Fifteen years ago he served both as a member of the house of representatives and the state senate.  When Governor Brown was the state’s executive he declined a place as judge of the superior court of the Brunswick circuit to fill a vacancy.
            He married a daughter of George Walker one of Savannah’s leading citizens.  Other daughters married Reuben R. Arnold and Hollins N. Randolph prominent Atlanta attorneys.

PHILLIPS FROM MACON

            Macon, Ga. March 6—Monroe Phillips was formerly of Macon moving to Brunswick recently.  He owns considerable land near Macon.

TRAGEDY SHOCKS WAYCROSS

            Waycross, Ga. March 6—(Special) Friends of Col. H.F. Dunwoody, the Brunswick attorney killed today by Monroe Phillips, were shocked to learn of his tragic death.  He was popular and well liked here.
            L.C. Padgett, former policeman also a victim of Phillips, was a cousin of Police Captain A.P. Padgett of Waycross.

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Monday 8 March 1915; pg. 1 col. 5 & pg. 5 cols. 4 & 5

GLOOM OF TRAGEDY WRAPS BRUNSWICK; SEVENTH VICTIM DIES—Ernest McDonald, Popular Young Packer, Dies—Believed Gunner Tolnas and Others Will Recover.

            Brunswick, Ga. March 7—(Special.)  Shrouded in gloom, Brunswick realized this morning the awful extent of yesterday’s frightful tragedy in which seven human lives were snuffed out in as many minutes.
            Terror-stricken and under great excitement, the awfulness of the horrible affair did not dawn upon the people of this city until today, when hearses, winding their way through public streets and avenues, carried to their last resting places those of Brunswick’s dead who lost their lives only a few hours before.

ERNEST McDONALD DIES

            In twenty-five other homes there suffer victims of the ruthless bullets, and in the city hospital one other death occurred this morning, that of Ernest McDonald, 25 years of age, well known and popular.  McDonald was an innocent bystander.  He had emerged from a barber shop, happy because only recently he had been spared from a serious attack of pneumonia, in which he put up a brave fight, lingered between life and death for weeks, finally emerged a victor only to lay down his life at the crack of Monroe Phillips’ gun.  There was hope during the early hours of the morning that McDonald might rally and all that physicians and nursed could do was done to save him, but all in vain, and shortly before 11 o’clock this morning he passed away, leaving a young widow and two children, a boy and girl.
            Another patient at the city hospital, Gunner Tolnas, the 21-year-old bank collector, who was shot while riding his bicycle is still lingering and tonight physicians announced that there appeared to be a little improvement and some hope is now entertained for his recovery.

L.J. LEVY IS BETTER

            L.J. Levy, Sr., the aged confederate veteran who received one ugly wound just under the shoulder and another in the chest, was reported to be resting easy.  Unless complications set in he will recover.
            Sigmund Levison, another of the seriously injured, shows improvement.
            A.H. Boyle, a member of city council, received a bad wound in the chest.  He jumped into an auto immediately after he was shot and went to his home.  It was hours afterwards before it was known that Mr. Boyle had even been wounded.  His condition is not considered serious.
            All of the other twenty or more people who were more or less injured were reported to be improving today.
            The body of young Officer Deaver was interred this afternoon at his old home at Frederick [Frederica, St. Simons Island].
            William A. Hackett, the aged undertaker, was buried in Oak Grove cemetery at 3 o’clock and his funeral was attended by the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the American Mechanics.  He was a charter member of Rathbone lodge, K. of P., and as a tribute of respect to him no hearse was used, but members of his lodge carried the coffin bearing the remains from his residence to the cemetery.
            The funeral of George W. Asbell took place at 3 o’clock this afternoon his remains being interred in Palmetto cemetery.
            The body of L.C. Padgett was forwarded to his former home some distance from the city for interment.

FUNERAL OF COLONEL DUNWOODY

            Pending the arrival of a brother from Colorado, arrangements for the funeral of Colonel H.J. Dunwoody were not completed tonight.  The interment however will probably be tomorrow afternoon.  Among the kinsmen who arrived today to attend Mr. Dunwoody’s funeral were Justice Samuel C. Atkinson of the Georgia supreme court and Hon. Spencer P. Atkinson member of the house from Fulton county uncles of the deceased.  Reuben Arnold and Hollis Randolph of Atlanta brothers-in-law and others.
            The body of Monroe Phillips author of the city’s terrible tragedy will be buried here tomorrow afternoon.  It was intended to forward the body to Reids near Macon but the arrangements were changed today.
            The only new development in the tragedy today or interest was the fact that an examination of Phillips body showed that although the load of buckshot from the gun of E.C. Butts brought him to the floor in Branch’s drug store as he was preparing to reload his gun and fire that he also was struck by three or four 32 caliber pistol balls.  As all police officers firing at him were shooting 38 caliber pistols it was not known at first who had fired upon him with the 32 revolver.
            Ralph Minehan a young real estate dealer who had seen Phillips shoot down three men had rushed to a nearby hardware store secured a revolver and returned to the drug store, entering by a side door and fired upon the blood crazed man just a few seconds before Mr. Butts sent him down with a load of buckshot.

ATLANTAN IN FUSILLADE

            Blood flowing from a wound in the cheek inflicted by a flying shot from the gun of the maniacal author of Brunswick’s revolting tragedy, S.A. Ellard division special agent of the Southern railway [illegible] offices in Atlanta stood behind the barricade of a post on the scene of the conflict and joined in the fusillade that slew the madman.
            Ellard in Brunswick on business had just emerged from the barber shop on Newcastle street when he heard the sound of the first gunshot in the Dunwoody office upstairs.  As he gazed upward seeking to locate its source he heard other shots and presently saw the figure of Phillips emerge from the stairway to the sidewalk.
            The Atlanta man was standing in the crowd that had gathered and into which McDonald [Phillips?] poured the contents of his gun [illegible] and wounding innocent bystanders.  A number of buck shot lodged in Ellard’s face.  When Phillips backed down the street loading and firing his gun Ellard ducked behind a telephone post whipped on his revolver and joined in the fusillade that was being rained upon the madman.
            The immediate cause of the shooting it appears though Phillips had planned to sooner or later arose over a telephone conversation between Col. Dunwoody and Mrs. Phillips early yesterday morning.  Mr. Dunwoody represented clients who had attached the proceeds from the sale of a lighter several days ago, and Mrs. Phillips called him over the phone to endeavor to settle the matter.
            Mrs. Phillips later told her husband that Mr. Dunwoody had insulted her by saying you and your husband are trying to beat these people out of this.  Phillips [illegible] securing his shotgun and at least 50[?] cartridges he started out to slay all whom he claimed had wronged him in the past.  Among these were Albert Fendig, prominent real estate dealer and banker; A.M. Way who was badly injured, R.F. Briesenick and others.
            Hundreds of Brunswick citizens gathered around the scene of the terrible tragedy today.
            In almost every building for two blocks signs of Phillips shooting was in evidence buckshot landing here and there in show windows in door fronts and in telegraph poles behind which many people sought safety.

McDONALD HAS RELATIVES HERE

            Ernest McDonald of 100 Albemarle street Brunswick was the sixth victim of Monroe Phillips’ gun.  Mr. McDonald dying at 10:30 o’clock Sunday morning.  Mr. McDonald was 31 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children.  He also leaves four brothers and one sister.  He was in the meat packing business with his father William N. McDonald and had a number of relatives in Atlanta.  Among them are his uncles James McDonald, of the superior court; Frank McDonald and Edward D. McDonald wholesale fruit and produce dealers, his aunts, Mrs. Etta M. Fraser of 180 North Jackson street, Mrs. Anna A. Parkhurst, of 1 Dickson place, and their families.
            Ernest McDonald was passing along the street when Phillips began his shooting, and he was shot three times.  He was hurried to his home and given medical attention.  Mr. McDonald had only recovered from a severe attack of pneumonia a couple of weeks, and was still convalescing having not yet returned to his business.  Edward D. McDonald, wholesale fruit and produce dealer of 43 South Broad street, was in Savannah on business connected with the Travelers Protective association, and hurried to Brunswick, arriving there about an hour before his nephew died.  Ernest McDonald is to be buried Monday in Brunswick.

 

The Brunswick News; Tuesday 9 March 1915; Pg. 1 col. 1

MCDONALD DIES FROM HIS WOUND; OTHERS IMPROVE—Gunner Tolnas and A.M. Way Thought to Be Almost Out of Danger—SUNDAY A DAY OF FUNERALS—Last Funeral, That of the Tragedy’s Principal, Will Take Place Today—City is Normal Again 

            Brunswick is gradually recovering from the terrific shock of Saturday’s tragedy and the casual observer of yesterday would never have thought that such a bloody event had occurred only a few days before.
            All of the funerals occurred in accordance with the information given The News of Sunday morning, except that of Monroe Phillips, which was to have occurred at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and which was postponed until 10 o’clock this morning.  All of the funerals were marked by large concourses of people and by a wealth of floral remembrances, assuring the vital interest on the part of the people in the city.

ERNEST McDONALD DIES—The saddest event transpiring was the death of Ernest McDonald, which occurred at the city hospital Sunday morning.  Little hope had been held out for Mr. McDonald all along, due to the fact that he had only recently recovered from a severe attack of pneumonia.  He was a popular young man, well known and of sterling character; he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. McDonald, was engaged with the former in the meat packing business and is survived also by a wife, two children and several brothers and sisters.  His untimely death caused universal sorrow, and the funeral from the Presbyterian church yesterday afternoon was largely attended.
            It will be recalled that Mr. McDonald received several bullets, one of which broke a leg and the other penetrating the lungs, the latter inflicting mortal wounds and was responsible for his death.

INJURED IMPROVING—Those who were seriously wounded were A.M. Way and Gunner Tolnas.  However, all during yesterday they were reported as being in satisfactory condition, though still in danger.  Mr. Tolnas was suffering internally, while Mr. Way’s wounds, all of which were confined to his face, were very painful and more or less dangerous.  At a late hour last night it was stated at the city hospital that both of these gentlemen were thought to be out of danger and that unless some grave complications set in they had already started on the road to recovery.  This will be gratifying news, for both of them were desperately wounded.
            Sigmund Levison, who is also at the hospital, while suffering considerable pain, is doing splendidly and is yielding to the treatment as rapidly as could be expected.  Mr. Levison received a portion of a load of birdshot in the neck and face, but at no time was his condition critical.
            Jere Wilcher, who received two or three buck shot in the back of the neck, was so improved yesterday that later in the day he was permitted to his home in New Town, from whence it was reported that he was doing well.
            L.J. Leavy, Sr., who was perhaps more seriously wounded than any of the others who received casual injuries, suffered a good deal during the day.  Dr. H.M. Branham, his physician, however, thinks he will recover speedily and that it will not be necessary to remove the bullet.
            Two or three of the others who were injured are still confined to their homes, among them Alderman A.H. Boyle and Isaac Cohen.  Both of these gentlemen, however, were reported to be improving.

Pg. 1 col. 2

DR. G.W. BLANTON STOOD IN DOOR AND SAW SHOOTING—HE SAYS PHILLIPS WOULD SHOOT ONLY ONE BARREL AND THEN RELOAD HIS BIG TEN-GAUGE SHOTGUN

            Dr. G.W. Blanton, city hospital surgeon, who has, of course, been one of the busiest men in Brunswick since Saturday morning, was one of the closes men to Monroe Phillips when he did all of the shooting Saturday morning, and he saw him fire many shots.
            “I was in my office in the Kress building when the shooting started,” said Dr. Blanton yesterday to a News representative.  “At first, I thought it was an automobile tire and paid little attention to it.  Then I heard two more shots.  I started down the steps leading to Newcastle street and was met by C.H. Sheldon, who warned me not to go on the sidewalk, stating that Phillips was shooting everybody in town.  I came on down to the foot of the stairs, and, looking down the street, saw him leveling his big, ugly-looking gun.  I stepped back and as I did I heard a report of the gun.  I heard Phillips saying, “I’ll get you, you ——.’  I stood in the doorway and saw Officer Barnes, at Wood-Bailey’s corner, firing at Phillips.  After he had fired, I should say about two shots, Phillips swung toward him, “I see you, — you,’ and, leveling the gun at him, fired.  Barnes darted around the corner.  Then Phillips shot three or four times in every direction.”
            Dr. Blanton says he stood in the doorway and he thought that possibly after Phillips had fired both barrels he and others could run up an overpower him before he could re-load his gun.  “But every time he would only shoot once,” continued the physician.  “He would shoot once, break his gun and place one shell, therefore it would have been impossible for him to have been overpowered.  After shooting until he had practically cleared the streets I saw him go into Branch’s drug store.  Then I stepped out on the sidewalk.  It was then young Deaver arrived on the scene, and it is my belief that the officer was shot while crossing Gloucester street.  I saw him endeavoring to shoot through Branch’s window, and he looked to me as though he was then wounded.  He fired two or three times, then I heard a loud report from Phillips’ gun and the brave young officer tumbled over on the sidewalk.  It was just a second later when I heard three or four pistol shots and then one report of a shot-gun and the firing ceased.”

Pg. 1 col. 3

WANTED TO ASK PHILLIPS WHO WAS SHOOTING—TELEGRAPH OPERATOR WAS IN FEW FEET OF HIM AND DID NOT KNOW THAT HE WAS ON RAMPAGE

            O.C. Gilbert, operator at the office of the Postal Telegraph Company, was probably nearer to Monroe Phillips while he was on his murderous rampage Saturday morning than any other man, and it was not realized by the operator even at the time that Phillips was doing all the shooting but rather he though that he had secured the shotgun and was after a murderer.
            Gilbert was in the office, which adjoins the office of Albert Fendig & Co.  He heard the shots upstairs but did not leave the office at the time.  Later, after Padgett had been killed and after Phillips had gone into the office of Mr. Fendig, Gilbert came to the door.  The rapid-firing had temporarily ceased then.  When he reached the door Phillips was standing not over ten feet from him and was in the act of loading his gun.  Mr. Gilbert stated yesterday that he was sure that Phillips had joined in a chase for the murderer.  In a second Officer Barnes opened fire from up the street.  The operator said he then thought that some one, hidden, was trying to shoot Phillips.  He did not know Phillips at the time.  “I was just about to ask Phillips who was doing all the shooting when he turned towards me.  I jumped back in the office and heard the discharge of a gun, and I have learned later that it was this shot that struck T.B. Burns.  I then rushed in the back of the office and remained there until the shooting was over.  When I went into Branch’s drug store and learned that it was the big man who was doing the shooting, I was not only surprised but frightened to death.  In a second I would have addressed him, and even after I rushed to the rear of our office I thought he was one of the men who was trying to shoot or apprehend the murderer.”

[Spanning columns 4 & 5 is a photo of Eustace C. Butts with the following caption—AH]

EUSTACE C. BUTTS—Mr. Butts was in the midst of Saturday’s tragedy.  He realized that Monroe Phillips was blood-crazed, ready to shoot anybody who appeared in sight, and the quick work of Mr. Butts, who fired in an effort to shoot Phillips’ gun out of his hands, unquestionably saved the lives of a number of people.

Pg. 1 col. 4

NO MEETING HELD BY CITY COUNCIL—SOLONS ADJOURNED OUT OF RESPECT TO H.F. DUNWODY, FORMER MAYOR

            Brunswick’s city council met last night and, after passing resolutions deploring his death, adjourned out of respect to the late Hon. H.F. Dunwody, at one time mayor of the city.  During the short meeting, however, resolutions were also passed on the death of young R.N. Deaver, who also lost his life in Saturday’s tragedy in the discharge of his duty.
            The two resolutions passed by council follow:
            Whereas, on Saturday, March 6, 1915, in a tragedy, during which a number of estimable citizens were wounded and several killed, including Hon. H.F. Dunwody, who served this city with conspicuous ability for two terms as the mayor.
            Therefore be it resolved by the mayor and council of the city of Brunswick, that the meeting adjourn in respect to his memory and the flags of the city buildings be half masted until after the funeral services.
RESOLUTION BY MAYOR HOPKINS—Whereas, in the discharge of his duty as a police officer of the city of Brunswick, R.N. Deaver, a policeman of the city, did bravely risk and nobly sacrifice his life in an effort to protect our citizens from the unfortunate tragedy that took place on Newcastle street on last Saturday morning, the 6th day of March, 1915, and although a young man of only twenty-one years of age and only a few weeks in the service of the city, for greater fidelity[?] but [illegible] than he lay down his life in the discharge of his duty.
            Therefore, be it resolved, by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Brunswick in council assembled, that the [my copy is illegible—AH].

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Tuesday 9 March 1915; pg. 5 col. 1 

DUNWOODY FUNERAL HELD AT BRUNSWICK—Last Sad Rites Over the Remains of Prominent Attorney, One of Phillips’ Victims.

            Brunswick, Ga. March 8—(Special)—Better tidings came tonight from the bedside of those in the city hospital victims of Monroe Phillips’ bloody work of Saturday morning.
            Gunner Tolnas the young bank collector who has been making a brave fight for life holding on through Sunday and Sunday night by a mere string was reported slightly improved tonight.  Although his condition is still critical physicians stated that he had about an even chance to recover.

WAY WILL LOSE AN EYE

            A.M. Way who was shot in Attorney Dunwoody’s office is considered almost out of danger though it is positive that he will lose his right eye.  Mr. Chisholm the Savannah specialist who came to the city in response to a summons from the Way family has returned to Savannah without completing the operation stating that Mr. Way was too weak to stand it at present.  He will return to the city later in the week.
            L.J. Levy, Sr. was reported a little improved though on account of his advanced age the full extent of his injury has not yet been determined.
            None of the twenty others who were struck by buck shot are in a serious condition.
            Brunswick has not yet fully recovered from the terrible tragedy and but little business was carried on in the city today.  Crowds continued to gather around Branch’s drug store where the shooting occurred and discuss the tragedy.
            Those who have studied the shooting are now positive that Rex Deaver the young police officer who engaged in the duel with Phillips and lost his life was mortally wounded before he reached the front of the drug store or before he ever fired a shot.  As he came running across the street it is now believed Phillips fired upon him but Deaver did not stop going right into Phillips’ big ten gauge gun.  Another load fired at him sent him to the side walk.  The young officer however held the bloodthirsty man in the drug store for at least three minutes and by so doing unquestionably saved the lives of many people.

FUNERAL OF HARRY DUNWOODY

            The funeral services of Harry F. Dunwoody were held this afternoon at 10 o’clock at the residence and the body was forwarded to Savannah where interment will take place tomorrow at noon in Bonaventure cemetery.  The remains were accompanied only by relatives and the funeral tomorrow will be private.
            To attend the funeral and burial of Harry F. Dunwoody a number of prominent people of Atlanta relatives of the slain man left the city Saturday and Sunday.
            Mr. Dunwoody had many relatives in Atlanta.  Mr. Reuben Arnold wife of the well known attorney is a sister of Mrs. Dunwoody who was Miss Scotia Walker of Savannah another sister of Mrs. Dunwoody is Mrs. Hollins Randolph wife of the prominent attorney.  R.G. Dunwoody the druggist of 780 Piedmont avenue is also a brother to the dead man.
            He was also a cousin of Judge Spencer Atkinson and Judge Samuel C. Atkinson of the supreme court.  He was one of the best known men in south Georgia.  Years ago he represented Glynn county in the state legislature and also in the senate.  He was born in Meriwether county in 1863.

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Wednesday 10 March 1915; pg. 7 col. 5

EIGHTH VICTIM DIES IN BRUNSWICK TRAGEDY—Gunner Tolnas, Bank Clerk, Dies of Wounds Inflicted by Monroe Phillips.

            Brunswick, Ga., March 9—Gunner Tolnas, a bank clerk, among those shot by Monroe Phillips, who ran amuck in the business district here last Saturday, died of his wounds today.  Tolnas’ death was the eighth in connection with the tragedy.  Phillips was shot down by a citizen after he had killed five persons and wounded thirty-two others.
            Tolnas, 21 years of age, was collector for the Brunswick Bank and Trust company.  He was across the street Saturday morning when Monroe Phillips was on his rampage, and was struck as he was making for the drug store of Hatcher & Josy.  He was hit by five buckshot and fell to the ground right under the feet of L.J. Leavy, who was wounded by the same load.  Tolnas was one of the most popular young men in the city.  His younger brother, Paul, only a short time ago lost his life in an accident here at the plant of the Yaryan Naval Stores company.
            All except five of those wounded in Saturday’s tragedy are now able to be out, and these five are reported much improved.
            Monroe Phillips was buried here this morning.

 

The Brunswick News; Thursday 21 June 1917; Pg. 1 col. 6

WIDOW OF MONROE PHILLIPS WEDS SAMUEL J. BRADY

            Mrs. Ophelia R. Phillips, of Thalman, and Samuel J. Brady, of Allapaha, were married Monday evening at the rectory of St. Patrick's church by Rev. J. O'Hara.  After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Brady left for Lakeland and Tampa, Fla.  On their return they will reside at Thalman.--Savannah News.
            The bride is an excellent woman and has many friends in Brunswick and elsewhere.  She is the widow of the late Monroe Phillips, who is well remembered in Brunswick.  The groom has been in the mercantile business near Thalman for some time, and is a man of excellent character.

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