The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-24
FORT INDIGNANT
Governors Son DenOunCeS
Snead Indictments.
SAYS WOMEN ARE INNOCENT.
Prosecution, He Declares, Has Been
Pushed by Hysterical Authori-
ties, Utterly Lacking In
Chivalry and Decency.

Newark, N. j., Dec. 23.-Franklin w.
Fort, son of the governor Of New Jer-
sey and counsel for Miss Virginia
Wardlaw, is indignant at the action
of the grand jury Of Essex county in
lndicting Mrs. Caroline B. Martin, Mrs.
Mary w. Snead and Miss Wardlaw,
the sisters accused of having to do
with the death of Mrs. Ocey w. NJ
Snead in East Orange.
The inquisitors returned two indict-
ments, which consisted Of nine counts,
against the three. One indictment
charged all three with having mur-
dered Ocey Snead by drowning her in
the half filled bathtub in the East
Orange cottage. In the same true bill
the three women are charged as access
sories. The second document holds all
three as having abetted and aided
Ocey Snead in committing suicide.
Mr.. Fort can hardly find words
strong enough to characterize the ac-
tion Of the grand jury and the prose-
cutting authorities here. He says the
charge of murder is utterly baseless,
as Mrs. Snead was clearly a suicide,
the prosecutions own expert, William
j. Kinsley, having reported that the
suicide notes are in her handwriting.
Mr.. Fort says the women are victims
OF persecution melted by the yellow
press of New York city.
AS counsel for Miss Wardlaw, Mr..
Fort has sent an appeal to members
OF many prominent families In the
south In the form Of d circular letter
In which he asks those who receive
them TO aid in helping his client to
clear herself of the crime she is ac-
cused of. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Sir-Your name has been suggest
ed to me as that of an old friend of Miss
Wardlaw, formerly head of Soule college.
Murfreesboro, Tenn. Whether you have
been informed of the utterly and despic-
ably groundless charge of murder made
against Miss Wardlaw growing out OF
the suicide of her niece, Mrs. Ocey Snead
on Monday, Nov. 20, do not know. II
not can only inform you that the
charge has been made without even a de-
cent basis of suspicion and is ridiculousiy
absurd in view OF the known facts.
The charge Is. however, being strongly
! pushed by the press and some of the pub
lie authorities. who have worked them
selves into hysterical condition unprece-
dented SO far as L can recall and the
life and character of Miss Wardlaw, the
thorough beauty and glory Of which have
impressed me through and through In .
weeks acquaintance, are being dragged
| into the mire OF venomous and dis.
gusting publicity.
Every circumstance of her life. upor
| ayh oh hnN nd
have refused information, has been treat.
| ed as though II was the covering of Q
| disgraceful scandal. and insinuation and
brutal deduction have followed until q
| northerner such as / am is ashamed O,
the utter lack OF decency, chivalry ant
consideration for a defenseless woman
which Is being exhibited.
May l ask you to add your tribute Il
the many beautiful letters have received
| from those who have known, admired anC
loved Miss Wardlaw2
This letter is written, It is true, by Mis-
Wardlaw's counsel, but every statement
made herein comes from q sincere and ut
ter confidence in her innocence anC
loftiest admiration for her beautiful anC
wonderful character.
have no doubt that those who hav,
been favored and blessed with the friend
ship of Miss Wardlaw longer than / viii
welcome any chance to assist In Vindi
character. should be Of the highest.
The indictment charging the womel
with abetting and aiding q suicide Il
significant, inasmuch as II led to tn,
belief that the prosecutor Is withou
positive evidence as to how the bath
tub victim met her fate. So far as tn
three women are concerned. 1t place
some credence In the theory that Mn
Ocey Snead was driven to suicide b.
the treatment Of her relatives.
The drawing up Of the extra indict
ment in the case iS looked upon as
precautionary move by Prosecute
Mott, who II desirous that no one o
the three aged women shall have an
loephoie through which to escape n
lsnsihD'U FOR Tie myStsEiOVs death