FOUND DEAD IN BED.
Sudden Death of Charles J. Phillips, at His Residence on Vance Street.
Mr. Charles J. Phillips died at his residence, 458 Vance street, at 10 o'clock Sunday night, under such circumstances as to cause a rumor of suicide on the streets yesterday. Some color was given to the rumor by the fact that another rumor of like nature prevailed last July and that deceased was said to have been unhappy in his domestic relations for some time prior to his death, his wife having returned to her kindred at Florence, Ala., while his children-two daughters and two sons-were also living with relatives. The report was investigated by an APPEAL reporter, as thoroughly as it could be done, and discovered to be without truth. No inquest was held, the physician asserting positively that death was caused by congestion.
Mr. Phillips had not been in very good health for some time. Last Sunday evening he complained of being unwell and the servant insisted upon calling in the neighbors. He said it was unneccesary and took a glass of milk hoping that he would go to sleep and get up all right the next morning. The girl gave him the milk and left him. A little before 10 o'clock she went into the room again to attend to his wants, and found him lying dead, as she thought, upon the bed. Two or three of the neighbors were called in, and a messenger was sent for a physician, every means of resuscitation that could be thought of being taken in the meantime. When Dr. Overall arrived, which was within a few moments, slight pulsation could be detected, but death occurred a short time afterward. Dr. Overall made a careful examination, and finally concluded that death was caused by congestion. Mr. Phillips was at one time in the employ of S. M. Gates & Co., and later a partner of Mr. John S. Toof in the general merchandise business. This partnership was dissolved some ten years since. He was for many years regarded as one of the best business men in the city, was always popular, and had a large number of warm personal friends. At the time of his death he owned an interest in his homestead, and leaves besides this a policy of $5000 on his life. The remains were interred in Elmwood Cemetery yesterday morning.
Source: The Memphis Daily Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, Tuesday, November 20, 1883; Pg. 1, Column 6
