Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-31
FOOLISH FLETCHER.
ReappearanCe Of the Navy Lieutenant
Who EIOped With Miss Bailey, of
Baltimore.
Philadelphia RccOrd.I

Philadelphia Record.l
Lieutenant A. II. Fletcher, of the
United States navy, who on February
18th eloped from Baltimore with the
daughter Of his clearinghouse keep
er, is at present a guest of the govern
ment, or rather of the officers of the
rcceiving-ship st. Louis, lying at the
League Island navy yard. Up to a
week ago the whereabouts of Fletcher
were a mystery. Last Thursday week,
unaceompanied, he entered the Mer-
camille Hotel, on Tenth street, above
Chestnut, and engaged a room for two
days. In the evening he indited a let
ter to Secretary Of the Navy Thomp-
son, informing that official that he
was very i'll, and requesting that orders
should be given for his admission to
League Island navy yard. In this
communication he complained of
troubles in the head in such terms as
to convey the impression that he was
not exactly compos mentis. After
mailing The epistle the very sick man
found his way to Miller's Win
ter Garden, where he remain
ed until after midnight. On the
following day friday he display
ed great anxiety in regard to some
letters which he expected, and spent
the whole day watching for the post
men as they went their rounds. No
missives came, however. On Satur-
day, while Fletcher was gone for a
stroll, an ambulance from the navy
yard rolled up to the door of the hotel
and awaited his return. Notwith-
standing his letter to Secretary
Thompson, Fletcher seemed nervous
when he came back and noticed the
vehicle. First writing and mailing a
postal card to some unknown party,
the sick nan mounted the seat
alongside of the driver, and was driven
to the navy yard, where he has since
remained. The officers at this place
acted upon instructions received from
the navy department, authorizing them
to receive the lieutenant aud place
him under medical treatment. Since
he has been there he has shown no
signs of mental alteration. although
his actions have been closely watched
by those about him. He is a man of
middle size, slender in build, ford
complexion, with the front part of his
head devoid of hair. He has seen
nearly forty years of life.
AT the time of the elopemeUtF letch-
or vas under a suspension of two years
for deserving from the ill-fated United
States steamer Huron, just prior
to her departure on the voyage in
which she was lost. After the
wreck of the vessel he claimed
that his action was caused by a premo-
milton hat the ship would 60 down.
Those who know him say he is brimful
Of premonitions. He is a married
man and has one child. The elope-
ment created a genuine sensation, as
no one was aware that he entertained
any improper feelings for Miss Bailey.
the subject of his guilty love, who has
not yet seen eighteen summers. He
paid every attention to his wife, who
comes from high society, up to the
hour of his elopement.
What action will be taken in
Fletcher's case by the navy depart
ment is not yet known. 1t is believed.
however, that as soon as the attending
physicians have formed an opinion in
regard to his mental alteration allie
CATION he will be contaminated for
conduct unbecoming an officer and a
gentleman. He can also be tried for
breach of discipline, the articles of
suspension ordering him to remain
within the boundaries of the State of
Maryland until the expiration of the
two years. In the meantime he NAV
be considered as under arrest. as the
officers have instructions to prevent
his leaving the navy yard.