FOUND DEAD IN THE WOODS.
Mr. E.I. Phillips Wanders into the Woods and Dies.
Mr. E.I. Phillips came to his death last Tuesday under the followind distressing circumstances.
He was employed in the gin factory of Mr. O.W. Massey, about four miles from the city, and lived alone in a house not far from the factory. For a week or two he has been spreeing a little and had not been at work. On Tuesday he was seen to leave the house without his hat and coat, and that was the last seen of him at the factory. His friends out there were not alarmed about him, as they supposed he had come to East Macon, where he spends a good deal of his time, and his friends in East Macon supposed he was at the factory. Yesterday morning, however, it was discovered that he was at neither place, and search was at once commenced for him. At one o'clock his remains were found in the woods not far from Mr. Massey's residence, so decomposed and mutilated that they could only be identified by his clothing.
Nothing is known as to the cause of his death, but it is supposed that he died from a sudden attack of some disease, hastened by the irregular habits that he had been indulging in. It is not supposed that he died by violence, as he is not known to have had a enemy in the world, and was beloved by all who knew him. He was a quiet, inoffensive citizen, and was never known to harm anyone.
Mr. Phillips was a good soldier during the war. He went out with the Central City Blues and served in the 12th Georgia regiment. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded, it was supposed mortally, and left in the hands of the enemy. His friends supposed he was dead, and his sisters were mourning for him for a year. But his wound was not mortal, and when he was able to be removed he was taken to Point Lookout, where he remained for a year. He was unmarried. He was a brother to Mr. R.W. Phillips, of East Macon.
His remains will be brought in this morning, and his funeral will take place from the East Macon Methodist Church at 10 o'clock.
Source: The Macon Daily Telegraph and Messenger, Macon, Georgia, Saturday Morning, September 13, 1873; Pg. 4
