New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-11
Little Valley Prisoner
Says 1t Was He
Who Slew Two.
TALE CLEARS
AUBURN INNATE
Reprieve Kept Accused
Man from Chair Ten
Days Ago.

Charles Frederick Stielow, who grazed
death in the electric chair at Sing sing
by hours ten days ago, is declared 10 De
inno ent in a confession made yester-
dav by Irving King, in Jail at Little
Valley, n. Y.
King is a travelling junk dealer who has
beon sought since the murder of Charles
Phelps and his housekeeper, Margaret
Wolcott. at Shelby, N. Y, March 2l'
1918. Although there was some evi-
dence that King had been at the house
the night the pair were killed, 1t was
not until a day or two ago, after the
most strenuous efforts had been made
TO save Stielow from the death penalty,
that he turned up. He was put IN
iail charged with another crime.
His confession last night was made
in the presence of sever witnesses
Word of it was telephoned to Spencer
Miller. ir., deputy warden of Sing Sing'
who communicated the news to Stleiow
in the death house.
Mrs. Grace humiston, an attorney
who has been one of those most inter-
ested in proving the innocence OF Site
low. sent the telephone message 10
Sing Sing. She said that the follow
ING were present: Surrogate Larkin,
Justice of the Peace Piatt, Sherin
Nichols. Thomas O'Grady, detective;
Denutv Sheriff Wheaton, Miss Hughes,
a stenographer. and Keeper Baillant
of the jail.
King Planned Details.
King. whose junk cart had rumbled
through the length and breadth OF Or-
leans County many a time, arrived at
the Phelps farm. he said in his con-
fession, a little before supper time.
He had determined to rob the place.
While his horse plodded toward the
lonely farm, King had been thinking
ont the details of his plan. Ihey
were clear in his head when ne Clam
bered down from his wagon.
Travelling junk dealers, IKE theiI
more aristocratic brethren OF the oiu
davs who drove high-sded crimson
wagons from ocean 70 ocean, peddilhs
tinware through the countryside sleep
where night overtakes them. bu' no'
infreouently kind-hearted farmer IN
vites them 20 sleep In the mousse re"
refuse them the courtesy OF the Darn
King made himself agreeable 10
Phelps and Miss Wolcott. ms pian
would fail unless he were invited 70
spend the night. They asked MN 70
supper. He accepted. 1t was part OF
his plan. The roads were pso anu
night fell early. They asked MN 10
spend the night. He accepted, ana no
oleam in his eye showed that that,
too. was part of his plan.
One Hitch to Plan.
Tho kind-hearted farmer put the
quest-room at his disposal hlng
went to bed. Like all farm house
holds. the lights were out early. Long
Lefore II every one was asleep; every
one save King. 1t was part Oh MA
plan 10 keep awake.
His plan worked out as he had fore-
seen it would; there was just one
hitch. Phelps woke up.
Whatever struggle took place at the
farmhouse after its proprietor awaK-
ened 10 find a robber in his room MRS,
Humiston did not tell. But the vital
noint in Kings confession followed.
King confessed" said the lawyer,
that he took the pistol and killed
Mr.. Phelps that then, with the same
revolver. he killed Miss Wocott."
Auburn Inmate Cleared.
Not only is Stielow exonerated, ac-
cordino 10 Mrs. Humiston. but Nelson
Creen' VINO was sent to Auburn as an
accomplice in the murder. is likewise
Five times Stielow has been reprieyneNd
from death. The last came on July 80.
eli His wife and daughters had come
TO the prison to bid him goodoy' Inc
Continued on page 2. column