Atlanta, Ga., March 16.-Lynn G. Phillips, the 18-year-old son of T.J. Phillips, a railroad man, last night, despite the efforts of his mother and brother, Carl, to prevent him, poured into a glass and drank the contents of a two-ounce phial of crude carbolic acid, dying from the effects a few minutes later.
The suicidal act of the young man was pronounced by the parents to be the results of despondency which has been weighing upon his mind for some months past, and which had formerly found expression in threats that he would end the life in which he was already thoroughly tired.
The first appearance of this despondency was noted by the mother some months past in his moody and morose conduct. Upon being asked by her what the cause of this despondency was he would reply that he could not tell, but that he could not bear to live and that he must die. She had attempted to cheer him up, but to little avail.
About a month ago he gave up the position which he had formerly held in the employ of the Western and Atlantic railroad and left the city with only a word to the mother by a note written on the eve of his departure. He went first to Griffin, then to Jacksonville, Fla., then to Miami, Fla., communicating with the parents during this absence and frequently declaring that he wanted to end the existence which had become intolerable to him.
He had also expressed his intention of going to New York, but had been persuaded to return home, reaching the city last Thursday. On the night of his return he made the first move toward taking the fatal step. Going to his mother he asked her for some sweet milk and being pressed as to the use he intended to make of it, he broke down and wept admitting that he wanted to commit suicide. The mother remonstrated with him and he had seemed in better spirits since that time, appearing very cheerful Sunday morning.
Shortly after 7 o’clock in the evening, however, he came in to the mother, who was in the kitchen, and again asked for milk. When asked what he wanted he turned and walked away without speaking. The mother followed him, saw his pass by a medicine chest and take out a phial containing carbolic acid.
Her son Carl joined her and they followed the young man toward the lot. When near the stable, he threw back his head as if the act of swallowing.
The brother leaped toward him, knocking his hands from his lips. His action was too late, however, as the young man had, while walking along, closely followed, poured the acid into a glass and had taken the whole at a gulp. He was carried into the house, where medical aid was summoned and attempts were made to administer an antidote. All the efforts, however, were ineffectual. Death followed within a few minutes.
Mr. Phillips was a prominent member of the Chippewa Tribe, No. 50, Order of Red Men.
Source: The Weekly Banner, Athens, Georgia, Friday Morning, March 20, 1908; Pg. 4
