Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-27
LoNGMEADow TRAGEDY.
Singer Sewing Machine Agent Fired
 Three Shots at Mrs Lane.

Three Shots at Mrs Lane.
 Longmeadow. Feb 27. - This small village, which is about five miles from ThOmpsOnville, was. the scene last night of an attempted murderl and sui eide similar to the recent tragedy ill Winsted. John D. Cassells, an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine com pany for Springfield and vicinity, shot Mrs Mary J. Lane because she refused to elope with him. Mrs Lane is the wife of Edward A. Lane employed by the Elektron Manufacturing company ot Springfield. At midnight the physi- clans attending the couple said that Cassells, who took carbolic acid. had an even chance of recovery, while Mrs Lane was not expected to live over two or three days.
 Mrs Lane is 32 years old and Cas- sells is 40. He has a wife and four children visiting in England and a number of relatives in Scotland. From what was learned of the case last night it is the opinion that Mrs Lane was friendly toward Cassells. but she did not like to desert her husband and cause scandal. Cassells proposed an elopement three different times to Mrs Lane and each time she refused him. The last time was last night just before he shot her. Mrs Lane is d very handsome woman and her hus- band was deeply in love with her The developments of last night We're q great shock to him. He refused to discuss the case.
 MT Lane is having horSe built on the Boston road short distance be- yond Springfield. He intended it for his own home and looked forward with much pleasure to occupying it. Dur ing the construction of the house Mir and Mrs Lane have heen living with road in this place. Mrs Lane and Mrs Bliss are sisters.
 Before the Lanes came here they kent house in Sprinefield and Gas sells boarded with them nearly q year It was known that the couple were very friendly and +hnt Cassells was | much attached to Mrs Lane. It is not known when ha first made the proposal to elope. Two weeks ago he | reDeated his request and she said ''No" again.
 l CaSsells came here late yesterday afternoon and at 5:3O o'clock went tC | the Bliss house. where he talked witt Mrs Lane about half an hnur At { o'clock he made his final demand fol the woman to elope with him and re called to Mrs Lane threat that Inc had made two weeks ago. when he in timated that he would kill her if she did not do as he wished. It is no supposed that Mrs Lane believed tht man was really in earnest.
 The woman was shot down las night without warning. After sh, had told him that she would not eloD, with him he turned around and start cd to leave the house. Before h' reached the door he turned quickly ant fired three shots. advancing upon th' terrified woman as he shot.
 The first shot went over Mrs Tana'. head and struck the ceiling at the far ther end of the room. The second sho was fired at short range and as Nr Lane involuntarily put up her hand i was scorched by the nnwder. The bull let eraZed ht~ forehead The woman partly turned to avoid the next shot which she knew was coming. Ths bullet entered the back of her skull | went through tho h"o1 or,' iS unhatl ded near the left eve. The bulle has not been removed.
 When Mrs Lane fell to the floor un conscious it is supposed that Cassell believed she was dead. He left tn house and ran down the road. H was found by the roadside two hour later and was believed to be dvin when found He had taken a larg dose of carbolic acid. But little hon was entertained of his recovery am the first announcement made by tn physicians was that "e would die Shortly before midnieht it was sai that there was a chance of his recov cry.
 Mrs Lane is the mother of thre children. Mir Lane was inspecting hl new house during the afternoon. Gas sells came here by an electric car, CT tered the house hv +"> f"ont door an went through to the kitchen, where tn women sat with the ch'''"n" NIT Bliss says that Cassells demanded eS citedlv. 'Is it yes or no?'' and whel Mrs Lane said "NO." he turned to and immediately afterwards fired tn shots. "I'll fix it all now," he nut loft