The star and Newark advertiser., 1908-02-26
Alleged Visits to Her Home Re-
vive Mystery Of Young
Farmers Odd Death.
VISIONS" SAY NEIGHBORS;
HER SANITY QUESTIONED
Husband Sees Young Wife in
Jail and Defends Her Against
the Charges.
IRON a star correspondent.l

NEWTON, Feb, 26.--Haunted by "a
big black Indian. eight feet tall and
With features most repulsive," who,
she declares, hacked her mother-in-law
to death. Mrs Frederick Cassidy, in
jail on a charge of killing aged Mrs.
Phoebe Cassidy, is to be examined as
to her sanity.
f'But I'm not mad, believe me. Tn
as sane as you, but If do go crazy it
will be due to what I've undergone in
the past year" she told an EVENING
STAR reporter today. Throughout this
section of Sussex County opinion is
with this 22-year-old wife and mother,
now jailed with her baby, and with
whom her husband also sides.
If Mrs Cassidy, who was one of the
Struble girls, famed for their vivacity
did lay In wait for and kill her mother
in-law in the stable OH the latter's
farm, II was while laboring under
brain disorder caused by the lonesome
surroundings of her home, in the
opinion of many of her friends. Some
others now want to know why the
mystery of the death of Floyd Cassidy
a brother-in-law of the prisoner. three
years ago, never was explained
Charred to crisp and with the head
battered in the body of Cassidy was
found beside the ruins of a barn. Cas-
sidy had had trouble with man still q
resident of SUSSEX County, and there
had been threats on both sides; yet all
that the authorities here did was to de-
clare Cassidy had come to his death in
fire from unknown causes.
Mystery of Earlier Tragedy.
Scattered over the hills between
Swartswood and Baleyille are the
homes of many Hungarlans. the repu-
tation of many of whom is none of the
best. In her pIaintive plea of defense
Mrs Frederick Cassidy declares some
Of these Hungarians visited the lonely
farm house to which she was brought
q bride, and cholled and beat her.
visions" declare the few neighbors.
But with Mrs. Cassidy's declaration
Of "a big black Indian" being the one
who murdered her mother-in-law, the
townsfollk are wondering why at the
time Floyd Cassidy's body was found
no attention was paid to the declara-
tion that a black-featured man had
been seen in the vicinity of the Hem
dershot farm.
Mrs Cassidy was highty and COM
planned of pains, in her head espe-
eially," declared her husband today,
s'but the fear of the black man ap-
peared TO worry her the most last sum-
mer and fall.
"The surroundings also seemed to OPP
press her. and not long ago she started
to pack up to move into town. Then
she changed her mind and then--well, /
can't believe she killed mother.
Husband VIII Stick by Her.
''If she did, it was when she was out
of her head. but | won't believe such
story until it is proved, for my wife's
disposition toward mother was good.
I've employed good counsel for her and
viii stand by her.
I'm happier here in Jail than I was
at home.H Mrs. Cassidy told the repor-
ter. "On that hillside it was so lonely,
and there always was the fear of that
big black Indian. He was around the
day mother was found dead
"He's tried to get me here, but Sheriff
Gum keeps him out. Maybe he wants
to kill me- and with the baby she de-
clares was substituted for her own
child clasped against her breast she
crouched on the floor, her eyes showing
her terror
Speedy examination of Mrs. Cassidy
by experts win be made, and on their
report action by the county authorities
Will be based.
Her husband visited the jail today
and again assured her of his firm belief
ia her innocence.
In Trenton Assemblyman Levi Morris
counsel for Mrs. Cassidy, said: II have
not questioned Mrs. Cassidy or suffi-
ciently investigated the case to talk OF
guilt or innocence. believe her in
sane"