The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-25
DECLARES HIS MOTHER
IS FATHERS SISTER

Chicago, Dec. 25.-one of the strang-
est tangles in family affairs which has
ever come to the notice of the police
was revealed Monday when Claude
Chapman, % years old, caused the ar
rest of Charles Chapman, a grocer at
1882 North Clark street, and Nellie
Chapman $40 South Forty fourth ave-
nue., alleging that they are brother and
sister and at the same time his own
parents.
The arrests were made on warrants
issued by Municipal Judge Grove on
advice from the office OF States Attor-
ney Wayman. The prisoners were re-
leased last night on bonds, signed by
Thomas Hennessey.
Charles Chapman denies that he is
the father of Claude and alleges that
his brother, William Chapman, through
spitefulness, has told a story to the
young man, which led to the arrest.
The woman says the first time she
saw Claude he was is months old. Ac-
cording to her story she was married
to man of the name of Stafford One
son, Arthur, was the result of this
marriage and he died when 16 years
old Her husband died when the son
was an infant
Lived Under Same Name.
Here enters the strange story Of her
own son and Claude, who is now de-
MED by Charles Chapman, being
brought together and both lived with
the brother and sister under the name
OF Chapman and always thought that
they were own brothers.
Chapman declares that he was mar
ried to Claude's mother six months be
fore the boy was born, and that he left
her one week after the marriage. The
woman died when Claude was born.
Less than two years afterward Mrs.
Stafford's husband died and the broth
er and sister planned to keep house
together. Chapman was prevailed up
J on by the grandparents of Claude to
| raise the boy, and this was done. His
sister kept house for him in Chicago
for many years until a few years ago,
when they broke up housekeeping. and
Stafford, who has always gone by the
| name OF Chapman since her husbands
death, became trained nurse.
According to the story of Claude, he
learned from his uncle about two years
ago that theye was due him about ST.
700 from an estate in Iowa, which was
the property of his mother. For the
first time he was led to suspect that
Mrs. Chapman, as he knew her, was
not his mother.
Ruin Business Is Claim.
According to Charles Chapman. this
l story NJ he
his brother. William, who is now in
Font wayne, Ind. to ruin him in his
business. On one occasion, he as
serts, he came to Chicago and entered
into the grocery business only three
doors away from him in an effort to
break him up in business, but he fail
ed himself, instead. At this time
Claude, according to Charles Chapman
tried in every way to help William
Chapman out in business and worked
against him.
According to Chapman and his sister
Claude has spent most of his time In
poolrooms and has never worked more
than a few days at a time. Several
positions have been obtained by him.
II is declared, through Chapman's in :
fiuence, but he cast all OF them aside
and returned to be supported by the
man he knew as his father. Finally
he said TO have threatened Chapman
and was cast out by him.
When refused aid Claude went 10
the states attorneys Office and told
the story that led to the arrests. He
gave 70 the states attorney the names
Of several witnesses. who, he says. will
substantiate his story. and on this in
formation the warrant was ordered is.
sued,