BYRD EXPEDITION MYSTERY

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1929, Page 18

BYRD EXPEDITION MYSTERY

MEMBER STAGES. FAKE SUICIDE. THE STQRY OF RICHARD BROPHY. . By Talccra-ph—Press Assn.— Copyright. '• ' 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 from Omaha, who had been looking over pic-, turee 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, but over-night again disappeared. It was alleged that his ’ friendship with a Broadway actress caused complications with Byrd and led to his dismissal in Dunedin. .■ Many people in New. Zealand who met Mr. Brophy were interested to read/ the following New York telegram which appeared in the Springfield Republican of August 27: — “Clothes containing cablegrams from Commander. Richard E. Byrd and. business cards beaming 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 Washington baths at Coney Island to-day. The clothes had been checked there yesterday. “Police learned that Brophy had been living at the Hotel Belvidere, b«t had been missing for two weeks.. . His wife and child were said to be visiting friends at Toronto, . _ '“One of the'cables signed by Byrd in Little America and dated April 2 read: ‘Much obliged for your message. There was some delay in reaching me. Remember that no matter what hard luck you may 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 I can do for you. 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 Commander Byrd named him second in command, a post previously held by Floyd Bennett, who went to the North Pole with Byrd and who died W'hile going to the aid of the Bremen Atlantic flyers, stranded on, Greenly Island. Some months ago Brophy returned from the Antarctic, saying that he was going into private business.”