Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-11-01
SENTIMENT
IN OLD BRIDGE


1929 Ef+R ~
wise. But. Mr.. Appieby's friends
argue, they are not acquainted with
the defendant and accept, as their
convictions, the statements of the
detective.
Detective Clemens was a former
newspaper man and the New York
journalists who have secured the
town for the past two days for news
and pictures of the ruins, defendant,
relatives, etc, have but a very few
words of praise for the man respon-
sible for Mr.. Appleby's detention.
They say Clemens has not a very
good reputation and this, Mr.. Apple
by,s friends declare, will assist the
defense materially and also tends to
uphold the remarks of many promi-
nent Old Bridge citizens to the effect
that the detective has gathered evil
dence against a wealthy family with
but one definite purpose.
One standing ON the street cor
ners at night will hear many uncom-
plimentary remarks against Glenn
ems, and several recall statements
he made during the last two weeks
concerning the wealth Of the Apple
by family. He said significantly to
Herbert Appleby, postmaster of this
place and a half-brother of the ac-
cused man, "You may not have any
money, and perhaps Ellis hasn't,
but he has relatives who have"
Speaking In his own behalf, Ellis
Appleby stated to a NEWS reporter
today that he is innocent. His ex-
act words were: II am innocent of
this charge, although they may
have circumstantial evidence against
me. ] am in a very peculiar posi-
ton. Many an innocent man has
been convicted of crime" Bearing
out this statement. Mrs. Appleby
told the reporter that her husband
was asleep In the same bed with her
on the night of the first fire, which
was quenched In time to save the
store of Slower and Stonaker. When
the alarm rang, Mrs. Appleby states
her husband jumped out of bed,
clothed and rushed to the scene,
Likewise was the occurrence on the
night the building burned to ashes,
on August 81.
Mr.. Appleby says he has been
~misquoted in the papers on a num-,
Der of occasions. He says he is not
a deacon of the Old Bridge Baptist
church, in fact was never an official
OF that parish. He says the detec-
tive has publicly announced many
lies. The detective has been quoted
as saying, II ssweated' him unmerci-
fully, | am afraid, and while / was
questioning him he asked If he
might be excused long enough to go
to the telephone. On returning he
declared that his wealthy niece in
Bayo~Se was ready to back him to
the extent OF $4,000. This was be-
fore | made ven a hint of arrestsor
criminal charges" The Applebys
have no telephone, and never want
one. Mr.. Appleby said today he
wrote to his niece Monday night,
which was the first time he had
communicated with her on the sub
ject.
Relatives and bearers of the
Appleby name are more worried
over the scandal than is the accused
man. He bears up well under the
strain and receives the reporters
with great courtesy. He acknowls
edges he possesses a drinking habit,
but his friends declared no amount
of liquor could influence the defend
ant, In the greatest arson case In
the history of MfddIesex county, to
do the acts of which he is accused.
Mr.. Appieby Is considered a man far
from being In the best of health
and, as the fires always occurred on
stormy nights, his supporters aver 1t
Is highly improbable he would select
such nights for the deeds.
Mr.. Appleby is held in $1,000 bail
awaiting the action of the grand
jury, which will hear the case prob
ably next eek Prosecutor Beor-
aem has inferred an examination of
the defendants sanity may be made
before the case is brought to trial.
1t Is said here that this action will
be fought by the defense, for it
would be, in reality, an acknowl-
edgement OF guilt. Many Old Bridge
people believe, anyway, that the de-
PENDANT will never be convicted.
They point to his family's wealth.
which Is expected to become united
to save the Appleby name from dis
grace. Mr.. Appleby Is a half-brother
to Charles Edgar Appleby, a thirty
times millionaire retired lawyer. of
New York; a half brother also to
Herbert Appleby, the venerable post
master of Old Bridge; and uncle to
Mayor T. Frank Appleby, of Asbury
Park. He has a brother who Is a
Baptist Clergyman in Peekskill, Rev.
L. G. Appleby. He Is distantly re-
later to Mayor Arthur Appleby, of
Spotswood.