Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1889 — A VERDICT ANNOUNCED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A VERDICT ANNOUNCED.

THE END REACHED JN THE CRONIN INQUEST. Alexander Sullivan, Detective Coughlin, Iceman O’Sullivan, and Frank Woodruff Held for the Murder —The Conspiracy Denounced—Arrest «»f Lawyer Sullivan. A Chicago dispatch of the 12th inst. says: The labors of the coronor’s jury in the Cronin inquest are over and a verdict has been rendered. Tho only persons named in the verdict as being responsible are: Alexander Sullivan. Daniel Coughlin, F. O’Sullivan, and Frank Woodruff. While the jury believe other persons had a hand in the crime, their identity has not been sufficiently disclosed in the evidence presented to justify them in being named for arrest The following is the verdict of the jury: “State of Illinois, Cook county, ss.: An inquisition was taken for the people of the State of Illinois at the county building in the city of Chicago, in said county of Cook, on the 23d, 28th, and 29th days of May, and the 3d, 4th, sth, iith, 7th, Bth, 10th, and 11th days of June, A. D. 1889, before me, Henry L. Hertz, coroner in and for said county, upon view of the body of Patrick H. Cronin, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of six good and lawful men of said county, who, being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the people of the State of Illinois into all the circumstances attending f /the death of the said Patrick H. Cronin, and by whom the same was produced, and in what manner and when and where the said Patrick H. Cronin came to his death, do say, upon their oaths, as aforesaid, that the said Patrick H. Cronin, now lying dead in said county of Cook, State of Illinois, came to his death on the 4th day of May, A. D. 1889. We find: “1. That the body is that of Patrick H. Cronin, known as Dr. Cronin. * '2. That his death was not from natural

causes, but from violent means. “3. That the said Patrick H. Cronin was decoyed from his home on Noith Clark str.efc on the evening of May 4, 1889, by some person or persons, to the cottage known as the ‘Carlson cottage,’ situated at 1872 North Ashland avenue, in Lake View, Cook county, 111.

* ‘4. That at said cottage the said Cronin was murdered by being beaten on the heal with some blunt instrument or instruments in the hands of some person or persons to us unknown, on the night of said May 4, or between May 4 and May 5, 1889. “5. That the body after said murder was committed was placed in a trunk and

carried to Edge water on a wagon by several persons and by them placed in a catch-basin at the corner of’ Evanston avenue and Fiftyninth street In Lake View, where it was discovered May 22, 1889. “ts. That the evidence shows conclu-

sively to our minds that a plot or conspiracy was formed by a number of persons for the purpose of murdering the said Cronin and concealing his body, and that said plot or conspiracy was deliberately contrived and duly executed. “7. We have carefully inquired into tho relations sustained by said Cronin to

other persons, while a ive, to ascertain if he had any quarrels or enmities with any persons sufficient to cause his murder. It is our judg ment that no other person or persons, except some of those who are or had been members of a certain secret society known as the United Brotherhood or

‘Clan-na-Gael,’ had any cause to be the instigator or executors of such plot or conspiracy to murder the said Cronin.

“We further state that this plot or conspiracy in its conception and execution is %e of the most foul and brutal that has tier come to our knowledge, and we rctommend that the proper authorities o ler a large reward for the discovery and conviction of all of those engaged in it in any way. “We further state that in our judgment all secret societies whose objects are such as the evidence shows that of the ‘Clan-na-Gael’ or United Brotherhood to be are not in harmony with and are injurious to American institutions. “We hope that future vigor and vigilance by the police force wili be more than compensate for past neglect by a portion of the force. “9. Many of the witnesses testifying in the case have done so with much evident unwillingness, and, as we believe, with much mental reservation. We find from the evidence that a number of persons were parties to this plot or conspiracy to murder the said Cronin, and that Daniel Coughlin, Patrick O’Sullivan, Alexander Sullivan and one Woodruff, alias Black, were either principals, accessories, or had guilty knowledge of said plot or conspiracy to murder said Cronin and conceal his body, and should be held to answer to the grand jury. “We also believe that other persons were engaged in this plot or had guilty knowledge of it and should be apprehended and held to the grand jury. “In testimony whereof the said coroner and the jury of this inquest have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid. “R. S. Critchfll, Victor U. Sutter. “Foreman, J. H. Van Hausen. “Rudolph Seifert. Justus Kilian. “H. A. Haugan. “Henry A. Hertz, Coroner.” The jury went out at 4:30 o’clock and gave its verdict at 10:30. The members of the jury declined to say what kept them so long, or why a number of persons who were compromised by the testimony were not held to the grand jury. The preparation of their verdict took most of their time, no doubt, and some discussion pf the culpability of the lesser persons in the

a. * hours they were in session. While waiting for the verdict three or four deputy coroners were busy writing mittimuses and at least a dozen were pre pared. created the suspicion that a large number of arrests would be made, and the appearance of two or three deputy sheriffs and seven detectives seemed to warrant the presumption. Coroaer Hertz and State's Attorney Longenecker sat in the outer office during the long session and Sheriff Matson came in a short time. Shortly after 10 o’clock a platoon of detectives appeared, and it was evident that the jury was about to conclude its labors. Lieut. Schuttler was at the bead of the file of officers, in w hich were Detectives Arn-

stein, Palmer, Miller, Hedrick, Williams, Broderick, and McDonald. The mittimus for the arrest of Alexander Sullivan was handed to Detective Harry Palmer, and the other officers followed him out of the building. Coroner Hertz read the verdict. Tho jury waited in the room, but no one had a word to say. State's Attorney Longenecker and Lieut. Schuttler remained and listened to the reading of the document. Alexander Sullivan was locked up in the Cook county jail at 10:30 o’clock Tuesday night. He stood the ordeal of arrest with wonderful calmness and an admirable exhibit of nerve. Once before in his life he had gone behind the same bars on the charge of murder. The detectives who had been given the mittimus took a carriage to Mr. Sullivan’s residence on Oak stre »t. The house was in total darkness, but on the stoops all arev nd it and across the way were gatherings of ‘families out to enjoy the pleasant night’s air. The detectives having rung the bell, a light glimmered from the inside and the front door was partially opened. “Well?’’ asked a voice from the inside. “Is Mr. Sullivan at home?” “He is, but he is in bed,” said the owner of the voiee, who proved to be Sullivan’s confidential clerk. “Tellhim I would like to see him,” said Detective Palmer. The officers were admitted and Mr. Sullivan soon made his appearan.e in his own parlors, where he bade a hearty good evening to his visitors. Mr. Sullivan was neatly dressed in a business suit. He was as cool as an iceberg when Palmer stated that he had come to arrest him in connection with the Cronin murder. The detective read the mittimus intrusted to him by the coroner and then told Mr. Sullivan to make ready to follow him. Sullivan made an earnest request that he be permitted to remain over night a captive in his own home, but this was refused. “I give you credit, Mr, Sullivan, for being a very cool man,” said the detective. “Well,” said Mr. Sullivan, “a man with a clear conscience need never worry, and I know of no wrong I have done. Then he donned ,liis overcoat and hat and led his captors from the house. Just as he was ready to leave, a woman appea dat the head of the stairs leading to the basement. It was his old housekeeper, who was in a state of great trepidation. Mr. Sullivan hastened over to her, and after saying a few words kis-ed her good-by. A short drive brought the party to the jail and soon Alexander Suilivan, expresident of the Land League, was an occupant of cell 25, murderers’ row of the Cook county jail. The most damaging evidence against Alexander Sullivan given before the coroner’s jufv was that of J. D. Haggerty. He was asked:

“Do you know Alexander Sullivan?” “I do.” ‘ ‘What did he say to you, if anything, about Dr. Cronin?” “It was on tbe night of the trial of Dr. Cronin for treason at camp 96. I was walking home with Alexander Sullivan on the east of LaSalle street, and Mr. Sullivan, speaking of Dr. Cronin said he was a scoundrel and was a menace to the Irish cause, and it would be well for the Irish cause if it were rid of him. From all he said I agreed with 1 im, and I gathered the impression that Cronin should be removed.” “What impression did the talk make on you?” “I thought that Mr. Sullivan knew that Cronin was not fit to associate with us.” ‘‘What else was said?” “Well, just about that time a circular was sent out to members of the order, saying that several hundred Scotland yard detectives had been sent over here to investigate the doings of the Irish revolutionists in this country, and the members were on the qui vive for traitors or for those who might be willing to sell the secrets of those who were to elevate our race and were engaged in a noble ciuse. The feeling was very bitter among us and the life of any man suspected of being a spy would be in great danger. I must say I agreed in these sentiments. I thought that any man who could be baso enough to betray the secrets of the order was vile. I coincided with Mr. Sullivan that these people should be exterminated.” “Was this sentiment expressed to others?” “I presume it was. Tim Crain, the district officer who was scattering this information from man to man, could have told hundreds. Crain also spoke the same as Sullivan. The name of "traitor rouses before an Irishman’s mental vision a very vengeful idea, 1 can assure you. The Irish know what it is to suffer- from informers, and they have but little mercy on them.” “Give Sullivan’s exact words.” “I would like to, but my memory fails me as to the exact words. The substance of it was that Cronin was dangerous to the Irish cause and should be removed from our ranks, one way or another.” The fact that truth was at the bottom of a well was discovered long ago —but she hasn’t been rescued yet.

ALEXANDER SULLIVAN.

FRANK WOODRUFF

DAN COUGHLIN.

THE CORONER’S JURY.