Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-13
FLEMMING'S SCRAPE.
ANNIE PETERsoN's STORY OF HrR
STRUGGLE AGAINST HIM.
The x'Reve rend's Trial For Attempt to
Commit Rape Commemorative Ser
want Girls Story.

Sahuei y. Flemming, ex-minister an d
former manager of the Chautauuua asso.
ciation at Redondo, appeared before
Judge Smith yesterday, to answer to the
charge OF assault with intent to commit
rape,as preferred by his Swedish servant
girl, Annie Peterson.
The circumstances attending Flem.
mlng's arrest and preliminary examina,
ton are quite familiar to the readers ot
the HERALD, as are also the details Of
his past history In this city. At one
Time newspaper reporter, he won many
friends by his pleasant address and
fluent conversation.
Considerable surprise was experienced
by his acquaintance, when it became
known that Flemming had entered the
ministry, still it was supposed that he
was honest in his new profession and
knew what he was about.
When the case was called Yesterday
there was large attendance in the
court room, there being no women
present, however, with the exception of
the prosecuting witness. 1t took until
time for the noon recess to secure Jury.
and it was not till afternoon that Miss
Peterson was placed upon the stand
Her testimony was given in plain,
straightforward manner, and was not
affected IN any perceptible degree by
the most rigid cross ssexamination. The
prosecution is being conducted by the
district attorney, Mr.. McLachlan him
self, assisted by Judge McComas, while
Flemming is represented by Attorneys
Carran and Pendleton.
The sworn statement of the girl was
nearly Identical with her testimony at
the preliminary examination and was
in substance as follows
"On the 18th of March 1 was working
for Mr.. Flemming at South Pasadena.
Mrs. Flemming was away that day and
so was Mr.. Flemming. He came home
about II O'Clock that night and was
sitting up yet, as the baby had been
sick. was watching the child when
Mr.. Flemming came in. l told him the
baby was not well.
eti He was very cross to me then, and
asked me what had given him to make
him sick. l said that 1 had given him
only his regular food, and that would
set up and watch that night. He said
must give some medicine. He gave me
some pills for the baby, and then tried
to have me drink glass of wine. I
would not drink it, and told him l never
did drink wine. He asked me to get
him some lemonade, and when
brought it to him he caught me with
his hand around my waist and pulled
me down on his lap. He tried to kiss
me, but | struggled and told him l
would tell Mrs. Flemming.
Il kept my mouth turned away from
him, but he kissed me, l don't know
how many times, on the face. No, sir it
was not at all pleasant, and fought him
to get away, and finally did get away
Then he told me to take care of the
baby; that | might put the cradle by
the bed and lie down myself instead of
sitting up all night.
II took off my shoes and lay on the
bed. Yes, had my dress on and the
covers over me.
81 don't know how long / had laid
there-I had been asleep, think-when
| was awakened by feeling some one in
the bed, and hand on my bosom try
ing to unbutton my dress.
II tried to get up, but Mr.. Flemming
I saw it was him-he held me and
kept saying: fLie still, Annie, / won't
hurt you.
81 tried to scream, but he put his
hand on my throat, so and 1 couldn't
make much noise. The baby walked up
and Mr., Flemming reached over to the
cradle and got the baby's bottle and
gave it to him.
eyes, he was lying there, and holding
me with his hands. He tried to fuss
with my dress. but held his hands, and
after while, don't know how long, he
went away.
THE next day he begged my pardon.
and asked me to forget that night.
told him that would forgive him if he
would promise not to touch me again;
and he promised.
81 did not say anything to Mrs. Flem-
ing when she came home, but on Mon
day told them both l wanted to go
away. She did not want me to go, bnt
he did not say anything"
The witness was subjected to scath-
ing cross examination but stood fire
well.
She was still on the stand when court
adjourned for the day, and will probably
be rec llled when the case comes up
again this morning.
New shapes again pouring in the millinery