Fred Cassiday 1893-1941

CASSIDAY, MAYFIELD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 4/23/2020 at 07:50:34

17 April 1941 - The Anamosa Journal

Fred J. Cassiday, 46, former guard in the men's State reformatory who committed suicide Friday night, was given a military funeral Tuesday at Winterset by the Winterset American Legion post.

Cassiday's body was found about 10:45 p.m. Friday in Wapsipinicon State park by R. D. Cooley, deputy sheriff, E. J. Murphy, Cassiday's landlord, J. P. Decker and John Shock, reformatory guards. A 22 caliber target pistol was in his right hand. He had been discharged Friday from his duties for insubordination, according to officers.

A World war veteran who had twice received citations for bravery, Cassiday came to Anamosa a year and a half ago from Fort Madison where he had been employed as a guard at the penitentiary.

Services by the American Legion and auxiliary were held at the Winterset cemetery where burial was made in the Cassiday family plot. Representatives of the Knights of Pythias, of which Cassiday was a member, also attended the rites. Rev. Sampes, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated. Smykil Funeral home, Anamosa, was in charge of the services.

Cassiday was born Sept. 6, 1893, in Winterset. He is survived by his widow, from whom he was divorced about a year ago; by a son, Jack W. Cassiday, Glendale, Calif., who is in the army aviation corps; and a sister, Mrs. Charles Mayfield, Denver, Colo.