New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-14
CHARGED WITH SWINDLING.
A DOCTOR AND 4 CONTRACTOR ARRESTED.
THE WIDOWED MOTHER OF A CRAZY MURDERER
SAYS SHE GAVE THEM MONEY TO
HAVE HER son RELEASED.


HAVE HER son RELEASED
Dr.. Walter NJ Fleming OF No. 10 West twenty
sixth st., who arrived from Europe, accompanied by
his wife. the steamship City Of Rome night before
last, arrested yesterday morning by Inspector
Byrnes and Detective Sergeant Reilly. on an ndlct-
ment charging him with grand larceny In the first de
gree General Milton :. Iitl"feld, contractor, OF
No l0l West seventy nfthst., has been In the Iomos
prison since last Thursday on similar charge tho
complainant against both men being MIS- Josephlhe
Stephani, the mother Of young Aphonsc Scphsnl VINO
is confined in the Tombs awaiting trial for the muir
der Of ex-Judge Clinton g. Reynolds in the once Of
the latter In Waltst last May. Mrs.. Stephan went
before the Grand Jury three weeks ago and mahc an
adavit that she had been defrauded of $1,000 by Dr.
Fleming and General Lttlefed. This amount she said
she had paid them to have commission appointed for
tho purpose Of having her SOIL declared insane ana
they had diverted 1t to their own uses. Or. Fleming
was taken to the District Attorneys ONCE Just after
his arrest and his wife became his surety for his ball.
which was fixed at $500. General Linkneld had
not obtained bOndsnlSn late yesterday afternoon.
DR. and Mrs Fleming went at once to Iarchmont,
where Mrs. Jennings property Ii, after signing the
bail bond.
AIphonse strrhani is a young Cuban whose father.
the senior member OF the New York firm Of A. stephai
Co.. importers. died two years ago, leaving an estate
valued at S2OJ, 900. which az the death OF his widow
was to be divided between Alphopse and his brother
for tho purpose Of checking Aphones speculaons he
brought at her request sui, restraining the young
man from removing from the safe deposit vaults q
deposit Of 500, 900. Shortly after the Injunction WAS
granted AlphOnse coned Mr.. Reynolds - his oihcc
and slot him, INJECTING a wound from which the at
forney died few days later since his Imprisonment
young stcphani las acted quecrly and the prison
officials, as we'll as his counsel William F. Howe ana
Daniel Dougherty, believe him 10 he insane. Last
July Scphan's lawyers suggested 10 the DISTRICT
Attorney that a commission be appointed II inquire
into the sanity Of their client. Colonel Fello"N ap
proved the suggestion and went to Judge Wartime 10
apply for the appointment Of commission requesting
al the same time that his own family physician. Dr.
Walter NJ. Fleming. be made member OIL inc com
mission Judge MARITIME. after several days deiioer
ton, appointed as commissioners Gilbert NJ Speir'
DR.. Fleming and Dr. Clymer There were several
hearings and examinations and much testimony WAS
taken
Just as the July term OF tho cOrt closed the report
of the commission was filed, declaring young stephan
TO be insane Judge MARITIME started on his vacation
at the closing of the court and the report was not
confirmed. While the judge was at Lake George IN
tfss middle OF August Mrs. Foster. representing her
self to be friend OF Mrs Stephan called on nm 70
ask II the release of young Stephan could not be cx-
pedited She mentioned that Mrs. Stephan lad paid
great deal Of money to obtain her sons release ad
was greatly distressed at tho delay. AS the expenses
of tho commission to be paid out OF the con.
MARITIME suspected that the reference to the use OF
money by the mother involved some tcachery and he
curtailed his vacation DO able to make personal
investigation
Mr.. Stephsn was persuaded to tell her story to the
Grand Jury. She said that early in the summer Do
coming alarmed At the delay and the terrible condition
her son In. she felt convinced that the lawyers
neglecting her sons interests At the Hotel LIN
coln where she lives, she said she met General Lutc-
Geld. who offered to assist her. She paid General
LttlcHed. she several thousands OF dollars ana
other large sums to DR.. Fleming through General
Littlc6ed, but still her son was not released various
excuses being given for the delay. The Grand Jury
promptly found indictments against Littcncld and
Fleming. The one against the former contained two
ccupts charging him with grand larceny in the first
IND second degree, and that against the latter being OK
one count for grand larceny In the first degree Gen
eral Litcfeld arrested bench warrant signed
BY Judge MARITIME, who liked the bail at $1,000 Be-
fore Dr. Fleming started for Larchnop yesterday he
said: "The woman is as crazy her have
never had any transactions with her. DIR. Fleming
about fifty years old and has had lucrative practice
When seen IN the Tomhs yesterday General Little
field said "There Is more behind this than appears
Just now There is tnge Of politics in It, did act
Mrs Stephans friend, and at her request did handle
various of money for her. but not the amount
charged. At her request paid $500 to cx-Jndcc
Orlando L. Stewart retaining fec TO secure his
services in expedirlng her sons release. and paid
other for her to other people There was nothing
criminal in my action, and IL am liable for the suns
i handled am willing to be held responsible have
been Mrs. stcphans friend and yeti
William +. Howe young Stephanl's counsel sal!
yesterday that he knew nothing OF Mrs. Stephanis
efforts through General ttlefeld until she called
before the Grand Jury. There Is doubt said
he. that this is an outrageous swindle There Is no
doubt either that Young stephan Is insane.
Dr.. Fleming not represented by counsel David
j. Perry will represent General Ltciield who Is sixty
years old. contractor. AID fine looking man.