The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-12
MARY ESTHER MEAD.
With Many Tears She Tells
a Sad Story of Fam
. lily Strife.
ER MOTHER Is TO BLAME.
bstigated by Uncle Stats the
Woman Brought Up Her
Four Wealthy Daugh-
ters in an Atmosphere
Of Vice and
Misery.
fIINCI CThhTCs SIDE 0F 1T
JUNGLE STAATs' SIDE OF 1T.
He Says His Brothers Injudicious
Marriage Is the Real Injury
to His Children.


II the examination of Miss Mary
Esther Mead of this city, who is charged
with sending threatening postal cards to
hrr uncle in Newark which is set down
for hearing before United States Com
missioner Whitehead next week, does not
develop some racy testimony then all
signs fail.
A reporter for THE JERSEY CITY NEWS
called on Miss Mead at her residence, No.
80 Patterson plank road. on the Heights
last evening, and from her obtained a most
sensational story. At first she declined
to talk of the case at all, but finally she
partially explained what she limited at
u the postal cards. and said there would
be more to tell when the examinati on
would be had.
Miss Mead is well and favorably known
on the Heights. The house in which she
lives at present is owned by herself and
sisters and they own much of the adjoin-
ing property. My ring at the door bell
last night was answered by plump and
pretty girl apparently about thirteen
years of age. l afterward learned that
this was Abigail, referred to In one Of
Miss Mead's postal cards. To my inquiry
as 20 whether Miss Esther was at home
the child answered that she was and led
], the way into nicely furnished parlor up
one flight of stairs Everything about the
loom denoted that female hands were
Aconstantly employed in arranging it.
1Holy pictures on the wall showed that
2 the girls were members of the Catho
lie church. After a short wait Miss Mead
entered the room. She is handsome
young woman with a finely moulded
form and has intelligent blue eyes
Another sister whom I learned was
named Hattie also entered the room.
Hattie Is pleasing brunette. Then came
Abigail, the youngest of the sisters. and
as they grouped about me with an inquir-
ing look did not feel much like stating
the object of my visit.
MORE POSTAL CARDS.
/ then read off copies Of the following
postal cards. which appear to contain
world OF meaning:-
UNCLE AND GuARDIAS:-Meet without fail
Monday afternoon in Hoboken depot, Noyem-
ber n, between two and four O'Clock. If you
disappoint US we win have to go to Newark. SO
you'd better not, for we understand fully what
Have you received my letter.
UScLE:--A Abigail will change her guardian.
She, being over fourteen, do Your
guardianship has wrecked two. You want
third, do your Well you'll not hGvs her.
Uncle. swear before the God TO whom you'll
have a fearful account to give for US that unless
you make some reparaton Wen be avenged.
Think well ere you act further.
Revenge is Just and also sweet. NJ. E. NJ.
You'n meet me when you least expect. the
remainder Of my blighted life will be given to
you. The worlds attractions will be things Of
the past for you, be it sooner or later.
We'd haunt your place wherever it may be
tin we wreck you you have wrecked US by
your deceitful visits. Why did you assume
guardianship or visit US: EN-
Can you tell me what is limited at in
those cards. Miss Meadf" asked.
Before Miss Mead replied, Hattie, her
younger sister. said:--
'sWhy didn't be allow the whole con-
tents of the card to be published?"
AS she said this her dark eyes flashed
with anger.
Perhaps 1t would not suit him." she
added III sarcastic tone.
Miss Mary Mead. the writer of the let
ters, at first declined TO say much. She
is a very intelligent young woman, aud
nnally when told that If she could not
partially explain what she meant. her
uncle would have the sympathy of the
public, she relented and told her story.
In substance it is as follows
THE STORY.
About twenty-nine years ago there W as
not more respected and prosperous mer-
chant in Newark than John Mead. He
was reputed to be worth half a million
Of dollars But the old merchant was
not happy. His son John, wild fellow.
met and fell in love with Mary Sheridan,
ayoung woman who had nothing to re-
commend her but pretty face. 1t was
said that the woman's character was not
Of the best. John. despite the advice of
his friends and the opposition of his
father and relatives, kept on paying at
sention to the girl His father finally
threatened to cut him off without cent
# he dared marry the girl who
was SO far beneath him in So
:ial standing. Finally the father
lied. When his will was read il was
lound that he had not entirely forgotten
ais wayward son, although he begged of
aim before he died not to marry Mary
Sheridan But John did marry her, to
ihe great dsmay of his relatives and
friends. For three years John aud his
wife lived in Newark. and then they
removed TO Hoboken avenue. Jersey City
Heights Four children. all girls, were
he fruit of the union. Young Mead
lever di any work. He lived on the in
rome Of the property which had been left
lin by his father Fifteen years ago be
lied.
At that time Mary Esther Mead was