Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-09
BANKER FIsH's MYSTERY.
His Alleged Connection with the Death
of SaIIie Reber Laing.
From the Phi5adelphia Press.


CLEVELAND, May 6.-James d. Fish,
the New York banker, now in Ludlow
street jail, in that city, is connected in an
unpleasant fashion with the recent death
of Mrs. Franklin F. r. LANG, known
throughout the country as Sallie Reber, a
popular singer in concerts and opera.
Sallie Reber was born in Sandusky, o.,
33 years ago. Her father was a lawyer.
Sallie early displayed more than ordinary
musical talent, and was given all posi-
BILE advantages in that line and in the
way of general education that her home
afforded. She was subsequently sent to
New York for musical training. She ac-
quired a superior knowledge of not only
English music, but of German, Italian
and French, as to both music and the
languages. She adopted the stage as a
profession.
Her first appearance was at the Grand
Opera House in the Bohemian Girl" six
years ago. Her greatest success was
made as the princess in "Fatinitza," at
the Fifth Avenue Theatre, when the
opera was first produced there. She
made the role the chief feature of the
opera. She subsequently Travelled with
ore of D'Oyley Carte's companies as
"Mabel' in the ''Pirates of Penzance,"
and was afterwards member Of John A.
McCaulPs companies. Her last appear
ance was at the Standard Theatre as
"Phyllis'' in 'lolanthe," in the fall Of
1882.
Four years ago she was married to
Franklin #. r. Laing, who proved TO be
of dissipated habits. and, though belong
ing to a wealthy family in Brooklyn, he
gave no support to his wife. He died
eighteen months ago of alcoholism.
VTnOn tho nqRaGfOr Of visit IN blF old
home in Sandusky. the simultaneous pres
ence of James ID. Fish in that city caused
gOssips to talk. Fish remained but two
DAYS. and some time after his departure
Mrs. LANG returned to New York. The
next that was heard from her was tele-
gram received at Sandusky and said to
have been signed by Fish, announcing
her death. Her brOther-in-law. Frank A.
Layman, of the Sandusky Journal, ac-
cnmpanied bv her younger sister, Alice,
went to New York and brought back the
remains, which were deposited in a vault
in Oakland Cemetery on March Is, where
they are now, unless inferred within a
few days.
Sensational rumOrs. which were rife in
Sandusky, led to an investigation as to
the cause, place and circumstances Of the
death.
The clues led on to Rutherford, n. j.,
and to the neighbOring village Of Carl
stadt At this latter point 1t was found
that Mrs. LANG had arrived on Feb. 81,
accompanied by Miss Oellinger as a
nurse. They went to the home Of the lat
ter's mother, in a lonely spOt near the
New Jersey and New York Railroad sta
ton, where she remained until March TO-.
On that day she gave birth to female
child, and late that night died. James d.
Fish came TO Carlsbad on the afternoon
train every other day or so while Mrs.
Laing was there and brought her fruit and
flowers. He returned regularly on the 3
p. n. train. He came down on the day
she died and went away as usual after
seeing the body.
DR.. Phelps. Of Rutherford, who was her
physician. told the neighbO that her
death was caused by her eating a dozen
oranges. Miss Oelinger lett after the
death, and Mrs. Oelllnger took care of the
baby.
On the night Of May II two men.
strangers, came from New York with a
large. square, wooden b1c, unlike a coffin.
A tall man seemed TO be 6e master and a
short one the servant. They went to Mrs.
Oellinget's and soon afterward brought
the box out with large black cloth
spread over 1t. They dragged the box
roughly along the sidewalk, stopping
every little way % rest. Dr.. Phelps was
at the station with n permit for the re-.
mOval OF the body. When the station
agent protested against the way the body
was being treated, be said IL was ain
right. He had paid a New York under
taker $3.50. The box was put on the train
for New York an hour after the men ar.
rived. Az Jersey City the box was put
on u small black wagon outside hedepat.
DIR. Phelps and woman took the child
away on Palm sunday, the woman ret
ting ticket for New York and the doctor
saying that its parents were rich.
When interviewed a few days ago, DR..
Phelps said that Mrs. Laing had died
from acute gastritis, superinducad BY
eating oranges aud CLANS, and added that
she had suffered several years from a
chronic form Of that disease. When
questioned further he became angry and
refused % answer.