The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-02
Policeman George Cassidy,
Of Lyndhurst, Shot by
Burglar Suspect.
THIEF NOW IN HOSPITAL
After Numbering the Bluecoat
the Man Escaped, but When
Intercepted at. Ayondale
Bridge Tried to COM
NIT Suicide.

Policeman George Cassidy, of Lynd-
hurst, was shot dead in that place
about O'Clock this morning by man
he arrested on suspicion of being one
of two burglars who few hours pre-
vious had broken into and ransacked
two houses in Lyndhurst.
After shooting the policeman, the
burglar ran toward the Avondale
bridge over the Passaic River. fol-
lowed by men who had heard the re-
port of the revolver. After arriving
aat the bridge the burglar faced James
Rogers, one of the pursuers, who had
a revolver ready to stop the thief.
The burglar, seeing capture was in
evitable, placed his own revolver be-
hind his right ear pulled the trigger
and a ball plowed into his head. He
fell unconscious and was guarded till
Coroner Collins, of Rutherford, ar
rived in the Rutherford ambulance.
He was taken to the Passaic Hospital.
In his pockets were found $40 in
bills and fifty cents in change a: re-
ceipt from a furniture dealer in
Elizabethport, and a railroad ticket
on the Pennsylvania from New York
to Elizabethport. The bill was rem
dered to Alexander Savino, which is
thought to be the mans name.
Tt was said this morning at the hos
pital that the man was in a critical
condition and still unconscious.
The mans pal escaped when Cassidy
fell.
Policeman Cassidy leaves wife and
one young child.
Asa Orcutt who resides Valleybrook
and Livingston avenues, Lyndhurst, saw
Policeman Cassidy passing over the former
street with the two men, and spoke to
the officer. After returning to the house
he heard three revolver shots, and as he
went to investigate he saw the three men
struggling at Valleybrook and Weart ave-
nues. Before he reached the scene both
the prisoners fed. the, man who did the
shooting still holding the revolver in his
hand as he ran across lots toward the
River road, with Orcutt in hot chase after
him.
James Sherira followed in the chase. but
the fellow was SO fleet footed that he was
lost to Orcutt and Sherira when near the
Passaic River
In the meantime William H. Rogers and
Charles Rogers who reside near the Avon
dale bridge, was aroused and they Joined
in the search for the fellow, James Rogers
statloning himself on the bridge. Their
wait was rewarded shortly by the muir
derer coming out from clump of brush
near the New Jersey Water Company's
buildings. He started for the bridge and
upon seeing escape cut off he attempted
suicide
Almost simultaneously with the arrival
of Orcutt at the scene of the murder We're
John Hockey and Mrs. Margaret Holden,
who reside in the vicinity of Weart and
Livingston avenues. They had heard the
shots and as they looked out of their
windows saw the policeman wrestling with
the two rnen- and both gave screams that
aroused the neighborhood.
Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Hickey hurrlea
to the policehans side and had him re-
moved into Mrs Holden's store, where ne
died ten minutes later and Coroner Colilns
Sgave permission for the removal of his
body to his home. only half block away.
The Rutherford police were promptly
notified and they have three suspects under
arrest.
County Prosecutor Ernest ]. Rooster was
also notified and he arrived at noon to
make a personal investigation.
Policeman Cassidy had received several
threats against his life indirectly recently
and only yesterday he was told by James
Ringwood that he had been threatened
for making recent italian arrest. Cas-
sidy appealed to him in case anything
should happen of the kind to search out a
certain conductor on the Hudson River
Trolley line, to whom the Italians had
made the threat to take his life.
County Prosecutor Koester is following
up the clue in order to ascertain, If possi-
BILE. If either the murderer or his pal
whom the police believe they have In Gus
tody made the threat.
Policeman Cassidy was appointed to the
force last February, at which time the
department was organized in the town.