Richard Brophy

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 145, 6 December 1929, Page 3

Richard Brophy

BYRD’S FORMER DEPUTY REPORTED DISMISSAL DENIED (Per Press Asssociation) DUNEDIN, Last Night. Relative to the cable about Richard Brophy, formerly second-in-com-mand of the Byrd expedition, Tapley and Co-., the base agents for the expedition, state that there is no truth in the assertion that an intrigue with, a Broadway actress caused his dismissal. Brophy was not dismissed;; he suffered a severe breakdown in Dunedin, and during the period of incapacity was unfit to handle the expedition’s affairs, so that his resignation was accepted. ' There was no question of misdemeanour, only the unnecessary expenditure arising from Brophy’s illness. Commander Byrd was, and is, much concerned over Brophy’s welfare and future. In the early stages of the expedition, Brophy proved an efficient organiser, rendering inestimable service. FAKE SUICIDE STAGED. AFFAIR WITH ACTRESS CAUSE' OF DISMISSAL. Bz Telcgr...’’ —Copyright —Press. Assn, NEW YORK, Dec. 3. Mr Richard Brophy, former sec-ond-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 the Byrd Expedition pictures last

week, recognised a man working on his staff as Brophy. Upon discovery, Brophy agreed to return to his sick wife in New York, but overnight again disappeared. It was alleged that his friendship with a Broadway actress caused complications with Commander Byrd, and led to his dismissal in Dunedin.