Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-15
R0sSA's BAD CASE
The Dynamiter Fails to Make a Cause
Against Cassidy.

NEW YORK. June 1.-The complaint Of
ODonovan Rosa against r. S. Cassidy
for libel was dismissed today in court OF
special sessions. Cassidy attacked Rosa
in an article in the Catholic News some
time ago. acc using him of misappropri-
ating funds while head of the Fenian
brotherhood, being traitor to the Irish
cause, and very bad Hishman generally.
Dick Short, the dynamiter, who carved up
Captain Phelan in Rossa's Office testified
against his former crony. He said that
Rosa had acknowledged in his paper re-
ceipt of $3.50 for Shorts defense while ne
(Short) was in the Toombs awaiting trial:
Rosa had only paid him $500 and still
owed him $3.50
John Murphy, formerly treasurer Of the
Fenian Brotherhood. declared that Rossa's
accounts in 1885 were very unsatisfactory.
The auditors could not find vouchers Tor
half the items of expenditure. Mr..
Murphy confessed that the auditing
committee nevertheless "whitewashed"
Mr.. Rosa and that he was re-
elected head of the brotherhood, but
with limited power. Rosa had accounted
for only $500 Of the s., 500 subscribed for
the widows and orphans OF the Glasgow
anda in Rossa's handwriting of his ex-
penditure for the two years ending IN
August, 1854 Among the items were $3.50
for postage stamps.
James Barrett testified that he was
member of a committee that Investigated
charges against Rosa OF fraud, treason,
trltory, indiscretion and violation OF the
This formidable gauntlet OF
charges, Mr.. Barrett said. had
been sustained by the evidence. but the
organization deemed in inadvisable to de-
pose Rosa then.
AS Mr.. Cassidy took the stand in his
own defense, Colonel O'Byrne produced
the latest number of the United Irishman.
in that paper practically called for the as
sassination of Mr.. Cassidy and others, the
article being ostensibly form comments on
the CrOnin murder.
Mr.. Oliver asked Mr.. Cassidy if it was
not true that the trouble between him and
Rosa was not caused by the belief OF each
that the other was traitor. Mr.. Cassidy
said it was not. He acknowledged that he
had obtained letters of introduction from
Superintendent Murray to the heads OF
police in Europe just before he went there.
but he declared that he never used them.
He got them merely to help him in seeing
the country.
The sensation of the proceedings was
the reading by Mr.. Cassidy of letter
from Henry Labouchere, the Liberal NJ
P. and supporter of Mr.. Parnell. 1t caused
a stir among Mr. Cassiday's sympathizers,
causing Dick Shorts expressive face to
become clouded with savage frown that
might have made Rosa feel uncomforta-
Bile if he had seen it. The letter was dated
April q and marked private. 1t was re-
Spouse to a letter of inquiry written by
Mr.. Cassidy. 1t ran thus:
DEAR SIR think you will find these
facts are correct: On July 81, 1888, Rosa,
or some one else, shot at James McDer-
mott. Same day check for 4e5. Drawer
of check, James McDermott. Name Of
bank, Fulton bank, Brooklyn, n. Y.
If you refer to the subsequent New York
papers you will find that Rosa admitted
that he knew McDermott was an informer.
If you refer to Rossa's paper lyou will find
that check was not acknowledged. You
will also find at the bank that Rosa cashed
the check.
As matter of fact you can assert that
the money was received two days before
from the British vice consul by an agent
of the British government and handed to
McDermott for Rosa.
Yours faithfully, H. LABoUCHERE.
Lawyer O'Byrne said his case was COM
pleted and Justice Smith Immediately got
up and walked off the bench cXclaiming
CURLY: Case dismissed"
Rosa said the statements of Labouchere
were false. tt,t S.
Cassidy intimated that he would get
after the publisher of the United IrishnIan
for circulating matter melting to assassin
alton.