The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-16
SHOT DOWN IN COLD BLOOD.
LAWYER CLINTON q. REYNOLDS Al
PHONSE STEPBANI'S VICTIM.

Clinton u. lOFNIlOVlS, OIlN vi lI6 OlutSJ law
yers in Wall street, a man Of considerable
wealth and OF emnenco In his profession
senior member OF the firm OF Reynolds 4 Har-
rison was shot down in cold blood in his own
office at 50 Wall street. yesterday. by Alphonse
Joseph Stephani. a hot headed young man OF
foreign blood. who had uuarrelled with his
mother. Josephine Stephani over the custody
of his fathers estate. and who had acquired q
grievance against the lawyer because of adj
vice tho latter had given TO the mother rs her
counsel.
Mr.. Reynolds's acquaintance with the Ste
nh tni family began about year ago when he
was retained by Mrs. Stephani in the settle
ment OF her husbands estate. Mr.. Stephani,
Dr.. was for many years engaged in tho fruit
importing business in this city. with store at
1856 and 1873 Cedar street. The firm was Ste
phani & Co. His family consisted OF two sons
and his wife. and when he died. about two
years ago. he made the latter sole executrix.
with the full control OF the estate during her
life and with the provision that at her death it
was to be divided equally between her two
sons. OF whom Alphonse was the younger.
There were also cash legaces to tho sons. Al
phonss's is said to have been $4,000. The
estate was valued at 100000.
After his fathers death Alphonse took charge
OF his affairs, managing them for his mother.
and 1t Is alleged that he turned everything he
could into cash. which he invested in bonds
and other securities and placed in box in q
SAFE deposit vault. 1t is said that he also
speculated with the money and lost heavily
Securities OF the value Of $50. Coo however, arc
said to be In the box now. His mother became
dissatisfied and demanded an accounting
which he refused to give 1t was then that she
went to MIR. Reynolds and retained him to take
charge OF the estate for her. He advised her
first to make another dem and upon Alphouse
for an accounting. She did SO about two
months ago and a quarrel resulted which
ended in violence. Mrs. Stephan. it is alleged.
being struck by her son. He soon aiterwsrd
went to Europe Before that and during the
course OF the trouble with his mother. he had
visited Mr.. Reynolds at his office. but had
never attempted any violence. His actions,
however. had impressed the clerks In the Office
with the idea that lie was u bad man to have
around.
After Alphonse went to Europe Mr. Reynolds
advised Mrs. Stepbani 10 begin suit against
him for an accounting. and to get an inlunc-
tion to prevent him from taking the securities
from the safe deposit vanlt. and to prevent the
safe derosit company from letting him have
them. She took this course. She also. three
or four days ago. removed from the hotel
at which she had been living to another place.
Whether she did this on he advice Of her law
yer In anticipation of the return Of her son.
and to avoid meeting him. does not appear
but so far as could be learned yesterday her
new address WAS kept secret from every one
except MIR. Reynolds.
,Alphonse returned rom Europe. arriving on
the CITY OF New ! DIRK on Wednesday night. and
went to the st. Denis hotel. whore he was
stranger. lie took a room. received and ar
Eanaed his bassaGo and pad two or three
settled down Tor n stay of some time at the
hotel There was nothing in his manner or
Yesterday morning after Dreak iast he eft
the hotel aud Went. apparently directly down
deposit complny's office and learned thee
what his mother had done At any rate he
learned 1t and went 70 the Office Of
Nor that the e,cvator hoy who took him up to
tho thiId floor of the building in which the
offices Of kcynolds& Harrison are noticed him
and remembered him aftcrward. The Offices
consis! Of three iaIGe rooms at the rear corner
erai office. and tho private offices Of Mr.. Far
rison and MIR. i;eynulds are in the back room
Hnd size ge:k 81 cerRs sspBB@
terly, in the general office. and asked to sec
Mr.. keSnolds; he clerk recognized him but
name. He produced his card which was sent
70 Mr. reynolds In nj. his private, Office Mr.,
man. and then changed his mind and told the
clerk to let him come in.
Large folding ,doors topen from the general
were closed behind the visitor Mr.. reynolds
Sat large desk facing the doors. and there was
Eo Te cf in The oaef oe
could not hear what was being said on tho
other side OF the door. but they were appre-
btephani and fromithe Impressions, his prevl-
GUS Iislts had left, One Of them. W. G. Scott;
i an T peGy GO Ss
we're any sounds OF a struggle within.
never thought Of his having pistol. Mr..
draw knife"
One Of the clerks made an excufs to e. into
ne room after some papers; mr, Reynolds ana
ly, but without any Indications OF violence.
While the clerks were thus waiting for some,
e@n Of the hP Pm entered Gtt the ONCE. o"AH
soT' h oi s isI IN me ar that something was
who was, inside was AFRAID something would
i!anpen, because had seen the young fellow
l II, f,e ocs Six weeks before when he kert me
10 Ia!X Win Mr. reynolds and didn't like his
The interview had lasted about fifteen min
utes when there came the sound OF pistol |
Shot IRON the inner room. In an instant Mr.. |
sNGoti mad dashed open the doors and rushed ip.
ciasped oyer his stomach, and young Stephani
Stool With wicked; Looking bulldog revolver
as il he We're attemptingt TO cock II for second |
shot, Mr Scott threw his arms about the man
a., r,
Buterly tore the revolver from his hands. and |
pr, Cowan. picking up one OF the heavy chairs, |
Drought II down upon tho head OF Stephani
with force that smashed tho chair and
Knocked Stephani unconscious 10 tho floor
Mr. Reynolds was conscious. and told tho |
clerk who bent over him that hs was shot
through the stomach and thought that tho
wound was bad one and asked him 10 90
quickly Tor doctor. Clerk Scott ran out Of
tho once. and after going to a drug store and
ono or two other places in tile neighbOrhood
finally found doctor in the Office OF tho Con-
necticut Mutual Life Insurance Company
When he returned. some one else had found
Policeman Edwards, and the policeman had
called an ambulance
Stephanl meanwhile. had shown signs OF re-
yiying, and while Mr.. Cowau sal upon him and
bold his hands TO prevent him from getting
away. had made statements which Mr.. Cowan
Gays were evidence that he had done the deed
deliberately, and that no had come there with |
tne Intention Of murdurlng tho lawyer Less
the latter would do as no wished. What these |
statements were MIR. Cowan refused afterward |
TO say. alleging that IL would be Improper to |
repeat them until he was called In court.
~ Is said that they indicated that this imme- |
ulate cause for the shooting WIS the refusal OF |
tho lawyer to toll the young man where his |
mother could DO found. SleDhani presumably |
desiring to make an attempt TO induce her to |
Withdraw Tho action aud let him have control !
OF the securities In the safe deposit vault.
Policeman Edwar Ia took Ste,haEi at once To /
the Old slip station. and there Cant. McLRugh- :
Lin examined him. lteEIdps tho IuyOlVnr which I