Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-03

the courtroom while the trial was in
progress was the mainstay of his hopes
for reprieve, and when this was re-
moved early in the course of the docu
ment his appearance showed that he
considered his fate settled. There still
remained three chances, but as these
were removed one by one the face of the
condemned man fell, and as the words,
Motion for anew trial denied, J" dropped
from the judges hps, Fleming sat limp
and spiritless in his chair. His short
confinement in Jail had almost elimi-
mated the color from his face, and now
his paleness was almost CHASTITY.
"The defendant will stand up" said
the court.
Fleming left his chair and took po-
sition by the attorneys table in front
of the bar.
samuel Fleming, you have been ar
raigned on charge of attempt to rape,
have pleaded not guilty, and have been
tried. The jury have returned a ver-
dict OF guilty, and it now becomes my
duty to pass sentence. Have you any
legal reason why sentence should not be
imposed ON you?"
mo, sir" almost whispered the mis-
erable man.
''This is very painful duty" contin-
ued the court. "You are man of cul-
ture and education, who has been over
come by a sudden temptation. You
deserve degree of sympathy from your
fellow men. If, however, you have used
the position occupied by you in society
as mantle to cover ulterior and sinis-
ter purposes, you would be deserving of
greater degree of condemnation.
have given this case very careful con-
sideration. You have had fair trial
and have been ably defended. The in
structions of the court were exceedingly
fair to you. The jury have found you
guilty, and it only remains for me to fix
the extent of your punishment. The
judgment of the court is that you be
confined at hard labor in the states
prison at San Quentin for three years."
Fleming quietly returned TO his seat
when all was over, and made no sign
either of satisfaction or disapprobation
at the sentence which had been passed
upon him. A few moments later the
prisoner was taken back to the county
Jail, whence he will soon be taken to
San Quentin.
FLEMING's CRIME.
The crime for which Samuel J. Flem-
ing will pass three years of his life in
San Quentin was committed at his resi-
dence at South Pasadena on the 1lth OF
March. At that time he had employed
as nurse in his family rather good
looking Swedish girl named Annie Pc
terson. On the evening on which the
attempted rape was committed Mrs.
Fleming was away from home, and the
Peterson girl was alone watching the
baby. Fleming came home late and,
seeing his opportunity, began to make
advances on the nurse. She resisted
and he left her. Later, after the girl
had retired, she was awakened by feel
ing hand on her bosom and, opening her
eyes, found it was Fleming,s. A struggle
ensued and the master of the house en-
deavored to make the girl submit, but
she resisted with all her strength and
Fleming finally went away. Annie Peter
son remained in the house only few days
after this occurrence. Mrs. Fleming
was informed of her husbands behavior
and that lady promptly left her faithless
spouse. The trial commenced on May
18th and lasted several days, the court
room being crowded throughout its
progress. On the 10th the jury brought
in verdict of guilty, after having been
out but short time. Fleming was
formerly the pastor of Methodist con-
gregation in Michigan. He was at one
time reporter on the Times and was
later manager of the Chautauqua assem-
bly, at Redondo.