The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-18
THE POCASSET MURDERERS.
Freeman Still Obstinate in His Fanati-
cism-His Wife in a Repentant Mood,

freeman Stlu OBSTINATE in His Fanatl-
cism-His Wife in a Repentant Mood.
Boston, June ia correspondent has
been visiting the Freemans, the principal act
ors in the Pocasset tragedy, now in jail at
Barnstable, awaiting their trial in October.
Their condition of mind still remains most pc
culiar. Are they insane? This is most per-
picking question. Medical men who have
been allowed to see and to converse with them
say they are not. They act nationally and they
talk nationally, except on the one subject of
their religious fanaticism and their act in so
terribly sacrificing their little ones Young and
innocent life. The mother shows more SIGNS
OF an awakening to realization of the awful
character OF the deed than does the father
The latter in fact, is as stoical as ever. His
faith is something marvellous. He clings to
1T tenaciously, and though he has spells of
deep melancholy, he never allows himself to
donbt, at least so far as those who come in con-
tact with him can see, that his act was in ans
wer to direct command from ON high.
The Baptist Clergyman of the town in which
he is contined-the Rev. w. S. Walker-bos
had many interviews with him, and several
long and earnest discussions on the Bible and
his own peculiar religious views, and the
preacher acknowledges that the fanatic argues
we'll and with much shrewdness. In recent
talk between the two, Freeman said to the
minister that he was not directed by anything
in the Bible to Stay his little girl. at came to
me that must do it," said he A new dis
Pcho"tioii, no odluy DOSdH Oll tllG udy lG COl1-
mitted the deed, and he was to be raised up as
great leader. On that day, he said, Christ
came for the second time, but the world, in its
sin and wickedness, knew not of His coming
and is still ignorant of His presence. OF his
prophecy that the prison bars would be broken
and his freedom be given him, while the glory
OF God would be made manifest, he says simply
that he made mistake. These events he de-
clared, would take place on May q. That
they did not take place he regards as no reas-
rt.xyl H. I l.
He has not had Bible during his imprison-
ment, but he says many texts have come to
his mind sustaining and comforting him in
what he has done. His interpretations of
scripture are sometimes very strange, but he
persists i'll his own version of each passage
On the clergyman urging his view of dis
puted point, Freeman would say that he once
thought the same, but claimed that if his COM
panion would start from his point of view he
would think as he does. Freeman claims to
be far ahead of the other Adventists at Pocas-
set IN his theological views and disapproves of
their course since his arrest. He says that if
he could only see the leaders for little while
he would soon set them right. For the future
he seems to care but little. He lives from day
to day contented and apparently happy, and
ex presses the utmost indifference as to what
may be done with him at the trial in October
Conscious OF Gods approval of his course, he
says he cares not what mans Judgment may
be.
l.
dition, either mentally or physically, as she
was few weeks ago. does not take so calm a
view of her situation as does her husband, and
her faith is shaken, the mothers love asserting
itself for the lost child-lost so cruelty. Grad
ually the truth seems to be dawnine upon her
that terrible mistake has been made, and she
prays frequently and fervently for Gods mer-
cy and grace. She recently related to Mr..
Walker, who has also been to visit her as we'll
as her husband, further particulars of the trag-
edy, which are new Her husband, on the
evening of the tragedy, she says, had prepared
to leave the next morning on his mission to
make known to the world the coming of a new
dlspensation. He called his wife's attention to
the lightning flashes unaccompanied by thun-
der, which he claimed was in fulfllment of
Scripture prophecy. His wife then read to
him from their Advent newspaper an article
upon the covenant and faith of Abraham. She
commented upon the sentiments expressed,
and dwelt particularly upon the trials Of faith
and sacrifices required of Christians at the
present day. Thus unwittingly she fears that
she suggested to her husband the deed that he
committed. On being awakened in the night
and told of his revelation she did not believe
that God would allow him to follow it out.
After consenting to the test of faith she re-
manned in her room praying to God to stay her
husbands hand. When told by her husband
that the Lord did not interfere in behalf of the
little innocent, she says her heart died within
her.
Both freeman. and his wife have grown
stouter and generally more vigorous in health
than when they were first confined They are
kept apart and are not allowed to see each other,
though they are PERMITTED to exchange notes.
subject to the supervision of the jailor. The
trial in October is looked forward to with much
interest and concern The reports that Free
man had engaged counsel are not true. He
still adheres to his determination not to have
counsel, though urgently advised to do SO, if for
nothing more than to have his case properly
presented, and to secure him in his legal rights.
One or two lawyers in New York and Phila-
delphia have volunteered their services, but
their offers have been declined. The District
Attorney thinks he has a clear case against
Freeman of murder in the first degree The
act, he maintains, was clearly premeditated
and there is ample prima facie evidence to Sc
cure conviction. In Pocasset the more rad
ical of the Adventists have been quoted. No
more arrests will be made, and it has been pru-
IDENTIFY decided to postpone indefinitely the
camp-meeting called for this time