Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
FINANCIAL DISTRICT MOURNS
DEATH OF |. A. FLEMING AT 80
Evening Star Writer Attained
Fame by Beat on $10,-
600, 900 Wheat Corner.
Wrote Feature Each Week
Despite Age Until Shortly
Before His Death.

The financial world today mourned
the less of one of its most revered hg-
ures. I. A. Fleming, venerable financial
writer OF The Evening Star, who died
Unexpectedly yesterday at his apart
ment, 2700 Connecticut avenue.
Attaining widespread note for his
famous beat" In breaking the news OF
quarter of century ago, Mr.. Fleming
had remained in the front rank OF
financial writer's until his death.
Eighty years old, he was probably the
oldest Journalist in America actively
engaged in writing on economic topics.
Mr. Fleming, affectionately known to
his friends in banking and newspaper
circles as Pop" was financial editor
of The Star for many years, and dur
ing the past few years had written a
column for the financial page OF Inc
Sunday Star under the heading "Busi-
ness News in Retrospect"
Although he had been in poor health
for several years, he insisted on con-
tributing the feature regularly He was
not equal to the task last week, but
did not become dangerously Ill until
this week. Death was attributed to
heart trouble. resulting from a break
down few days ago.
Funeral services will be held tomor-
row at ii am. at All Souls Episcopal
Church, Cathedral avenue near Con-
necticut avenue, with Rev. DR.. H. H. D.
Sterrett, the rector, officiating. The
body will be taken to Chicago for in
terment in Graceland Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will include the
following bankers: Howard Moran,
John NJ Riordon. Victor B. Deyber,
Wilmer j. Waller, w. w. Spaid, Edward
J. McQuade, George w. White ana
Robert v. Fleming. President banler
P. McLachlen of the District Bankers
Association appointed special COM
mittee to represent the association at
the funeral. Mr.. McLachlen will head
the group, which will include Mr.. Nc
Quade, Mr. Fleming, Mr.. Moran, Mr..
Riordon and Mr.. Deyber.
Had Remarkable Career.
Mr.. Fleming had remarkable news
paper career. He had been actively en-
gagged In journalism for well over so
years When age forced him to give
up the daily routine, he spent much
time and energy preparing weekly f1nan-
cial letters. AS he neared the age OF
80, friends suggested that he retire, but
he spurned all such proposals.
Mr.. Fleming spent his Winters at
Melbourne Fla, returning early in
March. He complained that the lack of
sunshine this year had prevented him
from getting the usual benefits OF the
visit. Shortly after his return to Wash
ington the death of his very close friend,
George o. Watson, proved such severe
blow to him that it appeared TO take
his strength. The weakening OF his
heart followed.
Born in Chicago on November %,
1850, Mr.. Fleming lived in that city for
So years and for more than 80 years
stood in the front rank of Chicago's
financial writer's He was only Is years
old when he began his career OF pre-
pairing newspaper copy, handling grain
quotations on what is now the. Chicago
Board of Trade. His unusual ability
and energy rapidly asserted them
selves. and his inside knowledge OF the
intricate workings of the grain and
stock markets soon brought him into
prominence.
Obtained Many Beats.
During his long service as news
paper man in Chicago Mr.. Fleming
made many close friends among the
captains Of finance and obtained
scores of news stories ahead OF other
less alert financial writer's. In those
days the elder Armour and Marshall
Field were at the height of their imam
Cld1 DOWeTs EIODdUiy bAIC hlODb
rable scoop" Mr.. Fleming ever OBJ
tanned was the first story bringing to
public attention the famous Letter
corner in wheat. News regarding this
corner" followed some of the most
sensational trading sessions ever wit
messed on the Chicago Grain Exchange.
and Mr. Jennings information about IL
was flashed to all parts Of the world.
The sensational speculative activities
of the Moore brothers furnished an
other famous story which Mr.. Fleming
covered alone for the Chicago Journal
w. H. and T. H. Moore were corpora
ton lawyers and started bull move
ment in Diamond Match and New
York Biscuit. That was in 1895.
Match was pushed up to $225 snare
and Biscuit to $3.50 and 5000
Heavy Losses Sustained.
Trading became so wild that the
Chicago Stock Exchange was closed
until settlements could be made, which
prevented the fall Of many financial
houses. In the final adjustments 1t
was a common report in Chicago that
the SPONSORS of the two stocks had lost
SIS 100000, very large sum for those
days.
The Chicago paper with which Mr..
Fleming was connected changed man
agement and the financial writer be-
came editor of the Minneapolis Times.