John Phillips

PHILLIPS

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/7/2014 at 09:47:31

Capt. Phillips

Capt. John Phillips, whose name was notorious in the early days of our city, died at Lettsville on Thursday, 25th. He was about sixty years of age. Capt. Phillips came to Muscatine (then Bloomington) from Burlington in 1843 with an old steam ferry boat, and having a charter for the ferry he ran it a number of years in a manner unsatisfactory to the citizens, causing a great deal of trouble and strife. Phillips was charged with nearly every crime in the catalogue, but he was shrewd and wary and always succeeded in escaping conviction in the numerous suits brought against him. On the morning of May 23rd, 1849, a German named “Old Nick”, was found dead near the old ferry house which still stand on the opposite side of the river and which was then the dwelling of Phillips.

His death was attributed by Phillips to a mob from the city, who he said, attacked his house during the night, and killed “Old Nick” in mistake for himself; but, on the other hand,, the murder was charged on Phillips in order to get the unfortunate man out of the way as a witness against him. The mystery has never been cleared up. The same cloud of uncertainty hangs over other unlawful acts attributed to Phillips and his associates, such as burning of houses, bridges, & in order to avenge himself on those who opposed his claim to the ferry franchise.

About 1850 Phillips removed to Rock Island, and our citizens saw and heard but little of him for ten years. He then returned to this city and pursued a comparatively peaceable and quiet life, devoting his time mainly to obtaining soldiers pensions and picking up business as an attorney. On the 31st of October, 1868, he came again prominently before the public as a party in an affray with Jap. Hampton on the ferry boat, in which he shot Hampton, who narrowly escaped death. For this Phillips stood trial but was acquitted.

As we commanded to say nothing but good of the dead, we will say that the deceased was Plausible and pleasing to all he desired to win. He had a good share of natural talent, and under other circumstances might have been a man of much useful influence.

Source: Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, Ia., 07 Mar 189.