RICHARD BROPHY STAGED FAKE SUICIDE TO GET OUT OF SIGHT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 44, 5 December 1929, Page 8

RICHARD BROPHY STAGED FAKE SUICIDE TO GET OUT OF SIGHT

LATER FOUND WORKING 8N PAPER OFFICE FRIENDSHIP WITH ACtRESS CAUSED TROUBLE WITH BYRD. NEW YORK, Dee. 3. Richard Brophy, the former second in command of the Byrd Expedition, staged a fake suicide- at Coney Island last August with the object of getting out of sight. He succeeded until an editor fronj Omaha, who had been looking over pictures of the Byrd Expedition, last week recognised a man working on his staff as Brophy. Upon the discovery Brophy agreed to return to his sick wife in New York, hut over-night again disappeared. ' * Tt was alleged that his friendship with a Broadway actress caused complications with Byrd and led to his dismissal in Dunedin.

Many people in Nov Zealand who mot Mr. Brophy were interested to read the following New York telegram which appeared in the Springheld Republican on August 27 : “Clothes containing cablegrams from Coma minder Richard B, Byrd and business cards bearing the name of Richard Gale Brophy, former second in command to Byrd on the latter’s expedition to the Antarctic, were found in a locker room at the AVashihgton baths at Coney Island today. The clothes had been checked there yesterday.

“Police learned that Brophy had been living at the Hotel IBevidere, but had been missing for two weeks. Higi wife and child were said to be visiting friends at Toronto. “One tof the cables signed by Byrd in Little America and dated April. 2 read : ‘Muck obliged 'for your message. There was some delay in reaching me. Remember that no matter what hard luck you have have had we can work things out if you will continue to have faith in me. Best of good wishes. Your friend, Byrd.’

“The second message, dated April 22, read; ‘How are you feeling? Please let me know if there is anything 1 can do for yon. Cheerio, old fellow, Byrd.’ Brophy was active at Byrd’s headquarters here during the months of preparation for the Antarctic expedition, and shortly before the party sailed last year, Byrd named him second 'in command, a post previously held by Floyd Bennett, who went to the North Pole with Byrd and who died while going t<> the aid of 'tli© Bremen Atlantic flyers, stranded on Greenly Island. Sonic months age Brophy returned from the Antarctic, saying that he was going into private business.