The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-06

New York. Dec. 5.-Alphonse J. stephani
is without doubt the wealthiest dead
man in New York State. and he probably
enjoys the same distinction 80 far as the
entire world is concerned.
| Under the law Of this State he is civilly
dead. but actually he Is very much alive.
He has plenty OF money. but he is not In
q position to spend II. He may long for
any luxury without being able to obtain it,
whilc his funds continue to accumulate.
When the average man dies in the eyes
| OF the law his property Immediately goes
| to others-either according to the terms
| Of his will or by a distribution among his
next Of kin.
With Stephani 1t is different, for while he
has become civilly dead he continues to
hold his property, and his heirs may not
haye chance to enjoy it for many years
ond degree for killing Clinton G. hey
nolds. prominent attorney, in this city in
May, 1871. He was sentenced to life i'm
pris s and sent to Sing Sing. He has
since been transferred to the insane asy-
ium connected with the Clinton prison at
Dannemora. n. Y.
Physicians at Sing Sing certified to his
tuition at Dannemora agree that he is
hopeleSSly Insane, despite his apparent ra-
uonal spells and his excellent financial
Judgment. He seems very shrewd, but he
ID declared to be a victim of paranoia, and
to be mentally unsound upon various
propositions
HAS MANY PRIVILEGES.
He Is able to obtain certain privileges
In the asylum because he Is unquestion-
ably more rational than most of those
confined with him. but he could not spend
his income even II he could get 1t, and
when q reporter interviewed him he COM
planned bitterly because his interest on
certnl bonds had not been sert to him
IN person since he was transferred to q
prison for the criminal insane
some lew advantages he is able to OBJ
tam by his money but not his liberty
When he was first charged with murder
his mother spent thousands in trying To-
clear him. She retained the late William
+. Howe Of the firm of Howe & Hummel
70 deieno MN. The only possible plea was
insanity. as the crime had been brutal and
premeditated,
Had the defense been established to the
satisfaction So OF the jury Stephani would
point Of raising a doubt in the minds of
one or two jurors and the verdict was
ior murder In the second degree, inyoly-
ing. necessarily, q sentence to life impris-
0nment, where the higher degree would
chair. 'Ae e1ee'it'
m Mr s;o sseph s the mother. hoped up to
that she would be able to obtain exeen,
tive clemency for her son. She did not
succeed In inducing a Governor to free
h hi out sne ola all In her power to make
MIN In Sing Sing and communicated with
him frequently. He had shown great
a aPi1tud e., ior business matters before his
advising investments, particularly Of n
speculative nature. He kept track of the
stock Exchange transactions. and his
judgment proved excellent.
MOTHER MADE FORTUNE.
Following his advice Mrs. stephani made
money for herself and for him. and when
she died he was supposed to be worth at
least $4,000, possibly much more. He was
where he was certain to be more comfort,
able, as there is no necessity for hard
Ia Dor. and he Is now in a position to dis
At. with the usual prison confinement and
lack Of luxuries.
To reporter who went to Dannemora
to see him. stephani gave remarkable |
prospects of the stock market and his per.
sonal ambitions. What he most desires |
Of course, is to ,,Igs get away from the asy
Europe and to enjoy his money. He talks |
fuently and intelligently. and shows no |
outward Indications Of insanity.
Peculiar FEATURES OF Stephani's position |
legal partner Of the late Mr.. Howe. AS |
one Of the counsel for Stephani, Mr.. Hum |
mel has had occasion to study the laws |
governing a man who Is civilly dead and |
has found many peculiarities. Civil death |
relieves a man absolutely of certain duties |
and obligations, but not of others He Is |
responsible for all monies due under con- |
tracts, but he cannot contract new con- |
tracts. He may be sued and he may de-
fend a suit. but he may not sue.
Stephani differs from any other life con-
vict, through his wealth and through the |
resulting complications. His own story
has peculiar interest
BY A. ]. STEPHANI.
Through The courtesy of Doctor R. B.
Lamb. superintendent Of the institution,
a reporter was permitted to talk with
Steohahi and hear his own story from his
own lips. He was brought out of the |
dormStory into an anteroom, where, al
ways in the presence of an attendant, of |
course, he talked freely.
He Is a man Of medium height-about /
feet sand would weigh about 130 pounds, |
although he IL not as deshy now as he |
was before he entered prison. His hair
b quite gray-almost white-but his dark
brown eyes are unusually clear and keen,
and set as they are under black bushy
eyebrows, give him a sharp. penetrating
look He has q pleasant voice, and al.
though he speaks with a slight German
accent, he has good command of lam
Euage. He i.as a wonderful memory.
II was born In Philadelphia In 1S65," said