Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1889 — Page 6

DR. CRONIN'S CALL.

the man that took him to the FATAL COTTAGE. The State Puts Mr*. Conklin on the Ftarnl to Tell the Story of the Fatal Summon* —Hard Clan-na-Gael Witnesses. [Chicago telegram.! In the Cronin murder trial at Chicago, after the State had presented its evidence showing the identity of the body found in the catch-basin, Mrs. T. T. Conklin was called to the stand. Mrs. Conklin detailed the summoning of the doctor by the emissary of the assassins. Her story was that at 7:30 o’clock Dr. Cronin was in his private office treating a Miss McNerney. A sister of Miss McNerney was waiting for the patient in the outer office and a gentleman was waiting in the parlor. “A man stopped at the door. I answered his ring. He said he wanted to see Dr. Cronin. I told him, ‘You will have to come in if you want to see the doctor, because he is engaged.’ The man hesitated, and I told him again he would have to come inside. He finally did so, and he sat on the edge of a chair and 6eemed very nervous. He held his hat in front of it and was nervous. “I rapped on Dr. Cronin’s private door and told him some one wanted to see him quickly. He came out of the private office

MRS. T. T. CONKLIN.

the same time he drew from his coat pocket a card which he handed to Dr. Cronin. When Mrs. Conklin described the man drawing the card from his pocket she drew one from her pocket and held it out. “Is that the card?” asked Mr. Forrest. “It looks exactly like it.” The card was shown to the counsel for defense and then offered in evidence by the State. It was, in fact, the identical card handed to Dr. Cronin. On the face was the red picture of an ice wagon, and the card announced that the P. O’Sullivan Ice company would supply families with ice. On the back of the card, near one end* were written in lead pencil the words “Lane Park” in an angular hand. Mrs. Conklin continued her testimony: “Dr. Cronin went into his private office and gathered up some cotton batting which be took in his arms, and taking his case of instruments started away with the man. The man had said that he had a horse and buggy outside, and would take the doctor right away.” “What did you do then?” “I went into the bay window in our parlor and looked out nt the horse and buggy. It was a white horse. The horse had a very peculiar motion. It was very restless and its knees seemed to be very large. It had a strange motiou with its forelegs. “Did you see all this plainly. ’* “As plainly as I see all you gentlemen now. The evening was not yet dark and the electric light was lit.” “That is the last time you saw Dr. Cronin?” “That is the last time I saw him alive.” “Describe the man who called for Dr. Cronin.” “He was of medium height and seemed well-built and wiry. His face was dirtylooking, as it had not been shaved for some time. He had dark, straight hair and such bad eyes. His eyes were the most villainous I ever saw. Mrs. Conklin then related Her meeting with O’Sullivan on the next day in her own house, whether he had come in response to a call which she and her husband had made to his office early on Sunday morning O’Sullivan was not at home this time, but afterward came to Conklin’s.

Frank Scanlan was recalled to tell of his last conversation with Dr. Cronin, just as he was getting into the buggy that parried him away from the Conklins, that fatal night. Mr. Scanlan said: “As the doctor got into the buggy the man had the lines and appeared to be ready to drive away. I said, ‘Hello, Doctor, where are you going?’ He said: *1 am going to attend to an accident at an ice house out north. ’ I said: ‘You know there is to be a meeting of the CeltoAmericans in your office to-night.’ The doctor nodded, as much as tosay, ‘yes, ’ and said: ‘lt is very fortunate you came now; you can take the keys. He reached his hand in the pocket to get the keys, and they were cramped for room in the buggy and he got his hand into the other pocket and got the keys out on a ring and handed them to me. I then said to him: ‘When will you be back?’ I intended to tell them down at the meeting he would be there. He replied: ‘God knows; I do not know how long this thing will take. ’ The man started up and Dr. Cronin said: ‘You will find some papers down there for the men to sign.’ I followed him up three or four.steps, because I thought he said‘for the stockholders to sign,’ so I followed him up three or four steps further to get up for a still further talk. The man started the horse, however, aud I could not hear or quite catch what he meant; except there were some papers for certain parties to sign. ’ ’ “John F. O’Connor!” called out the State’s Attorney, and a smooth-shaven young man came in and took a seat in the witness chair. He is a tinsmith, and acknowledged having been a member of

the United Brotherhood, or the Clan-na-Gael, as it is commonly called; that the lodges are called camps; be Delonged to Camp 20, also known as the Columbia club. It. had previously been J known as N 0.96. The’ number was supposed to be secret. “We object to all

this testimony,” put in Forrest. , “I desire to say that there is no objection to this on behalf of the defendant Beggs,” said Foster. Mr. O’Connor went on to tell that Camp 20 met in Turner Hall and described the officiary of the lodge. He was known as Ho. 156 and held the office of recording

and the man, who had been sitting on the edge of the chair, arose and advanced to meet the doctor. The man said: ‘Doctor, a man is hurt and you are wanted to attend him. He is one of O’Sullivan’s |men. O’Sullivan is I out of town and he said neffiad a contract with you to attend any of his men.' At

JOHN F. O’CONNOR.

secretary. John F Beggs was elected senior guardian as the last meeting in January. ~ Beggs’ number was 256. Michael J. Kelly was at the same time chosen junior warden and Thomas Murphy treasurer. Witness’ dpties were to keen a record of the proceedings. Witness further stated that Martin Burke, Dan Coughlin, Patrick Cooney and Patrick O’SuJivan were members of th* same camp. He remembered the meeting of Feb 3. Capt. O’Connor was present and made some remarks. “What did be say?” “He as <eJ if a report had been read in our camp criticising the triangle. He was told no Then he said that was strange. He had been in another camp,

and had heard a report read criticising the triangle. He said he could give the name of the camp and the man that read it. I understood the man to be Dr. Cronin.” “Is this the record of that night’s meeting?” asked the State’s attorney, handing the witness a book with speckled covers. “It is.” Mr. O’Connor read the minutes. It appeared that the regular meeting of camp 20 was held on Feb. 8, at North-Side Turner hall, Senior John F. Beggs in the chair. The names of three James Walsh, Hugh Gleason, and Mr. Cavanaugh—were proposed and investigating* committees were appointed. Then motions were made, seconded and carried as follows: To make an imperative demand on the executive body for the report of the committee that tried the triangle; to call the attention of the district officer to the reports that were floating around about the report being sent out regarding the trial of the triangle, and that a secret committee be appointed by the senior guardian to investigate these same rumors.

“What gave rise to the introduction of these resolutions?” asked Judge Longenecker. “The remarks made by Capt. O’Connor that the report of the committee that tried the triangle had been read in another camp.” The point of the cross-examination was that the motion to appoint a secret committee practically became inoperative by Beggs’ decision that no one camp could investigate another, but that the district officer must act. and that in consequence the motion to refer to the district member or officer was put and carried. This theory would obviate the necessity of appointing such a committee. The theory

of the State that this order of making the motions was the reverse of the fact that the motion to appoint the secret committee came last, would tend to show that camp 20 proposed to act on the matter independent of the district officer. Mr. O’Connor testified on redirect examination that he bad seen a man at some meetings of Camp 20 who, he afterward learned, was Patrick O'Sullivan. At the afternoon session Andrew Foy was called to the stand. He is the stonemason and bricklayer living at No. 235 Sedgwick street It was like pulling teeth to get a straight answer from the witness. He is a member of Camp 20. Mr. Foy said that he had been a member of the old camp. No. 06, for seven or eight years,

THE TWELVE JURORS.

but that he originally belonged to Camp 16. His number was 69. At the meeting of Feb. 8 he was present and heard “a few remarks made.” He said a few words himself. “What was said about spies?” “I said if there were any spies in the camp they should be expelled.” “Did Capt O’Connor say that he had heard the report of the trial committee read in another camp?” “I believe so.” “Was a committee appointed to investigate the charges made by Capt O’Connor?” He had no recollection. His memory was bad on that point. “Have you ever seen Martin Burke, Patrick Cooney, Patrick O’Sullivan and Dan Coughlin at camp 20?” After a long hesitation he said he had Michael J. Kelley, who is no longer a Clan-na-Gael, was next examined. Mr. Kelley at one time was a member of camp 20, but resigned after the trouble arose over the death of Dr. Cronin. He was at the meeting of Feb. 8 and heard some re-

THE FIVE DEFENDANTS

marks made. He heard Mr. Foy ask tor for a report of the trial committee. He could not remember hearing John F. Beggs, the senior guardian, say anything about Le Caron, or that there were any other spies in the order. He recollected hearing Capt. O’Connor say that he heard the report of the trial committee read by Dr. Cronin in the doctor’s camp. He said that the ex-executive body had swindled the order out of funds, but didn’t remember having heard him say that the triangle was responsible for men in British prisons. Patrick J. Ford, testified that he had been a member of Camp '2O ten or twelve years. He was senior guardian of the

camp four consecutive years. At present he was the past guardian of the camp. He was present at the meetings Feb. 8 and 22. The latter meeting was known as reunion night On that evening he heard speeches made by Patrick McGarry and Richard Powers. Their remarks were j confined to the report of the trial com- j mittee. Beggs in reply defended Alexander Sullivan. He couldn’t recall his exact words, but knew he said there must be peace in the order or there would be war. “Did he say war or blood?” “I can’t say.” “Was Beggs excited. " “Well, we were all more or less heated, I sup Dose.” Stephen Colloran was the next witness called to the stand. Strictly speaking, Colloran was not a “splendid witness” for the State. He stammered, hesitated, flushed, fumbled his hat nervously, and came very nearly going all to pieces. Colloran had known Martin Burke two or three years and Dan Coughlin and John F. Eeggs about the same time. Didn’t remember of ever having seen Patrick O’Sullivan before. Had been a member of Camp 20 over four years. The witness said that he and Martin Burke worked together at one time in the city water department. He was present at a meeting of Camp 20 on Feb. 8. Martin Burke, Dan Coughlin and Patrick Cooney sat on the opposite side of the room from him at that meeting. He had known Cooney five years. John F. Beggs was in the senior guardian’s chair. There was a little wrangle that evening over something; a discussion over some report. Capt. O’Connor made some remarks about the report ot some committee. He asked if the report had been brought before camp 20. and someone answered ‘No.’ He said he had heard the report read elsewhere, but did not say who he heard read it. Witness did not hear Andrew Fov or Dan Coughlin make any remarks at that meeting. “Was there a motion proposed by some member to appoint a committee to investigate?’ ’ “The motion was overruled by Beggs.” * The witness said that he had frequently seen Burke and Coughlin together; the last time was election day in April. He was present at the meeting of Camp 20 on Feb. 22, and thought Burke, Coughlin, and Cooney were there. Dennis O’Connor testified that he is a builder, and had belonged to the Clan-na-Gael for twenty-one years. He was at a meeting of Camp 20 at the North Side Turner hall Feb. 8. “Did you hear Andrew Foy make a speech there?” “He made a few remarks. No Clan-na-Gael man made speeches; only remarks.” “Did Capt. O’Connor make a speech?” “He said he had been in Dr. Cronin’s camp and heard read the minority report of the trial committee.” “What trial committee?” “As I understood it it was the trial of the executive body.” “Did you know who the executive were who were on trial?” “I did not.” “Did you hear the names of any of those members of the ex-executive alluded to that night?” “I did not. Ido not remember having heard them.” “What was done aftor Capt. O’Connor’s speech?” “Some one moved that a committee be appointed to investigate this matter alluded to bv Capt. O’Connor.” “Was the motion carried?” “Yes.” “Was tne committee appointed?” “Idon’t know.” “What kind of a committee was it to be?” “A secret committee.” “Who was to appoint it?” “The senior guardian, I presume.” “Why do you presume?” “Because he always appoints committees ordered by resolution.” “Who comprised the committee?” “I don’t know. I did not hear any names announced. ’ ’

MINNESOTA FIRES.

Thousands of Acres of Woods and Marshes Being Burned Up. Faribault (Minn.) dispatch: Many fires in swamps and forests are doing much damage each day. A peculiar accident happened to a farmer between here and Owatonna. While he was driving along the road with a load of hay the ground gave way under him and let himself, team, wagon and hay down to a depth of ten or twelve feet. The soil below the road was a peaty one, and had been burning for some time. His hay and wagon was burned, but the man managed to escape with his horses. Great marshes around Rice, Mud aud Watkins are burned over with thousands of tons of hay. At Mud and Cedar Lakes the woods have been on fire, and over 1,000 cords of wood have been burned. About 100 tons of hay have also been burned in this vicinity. Violation of the Contract Labor 'Law. District Attorney Lyons, of the Western district of Pennsylvania, reports that upon investigation he finds that twenty-five glassblowers who landed at Boston and went to work at Jeannett, Pa., can not now be sent back to the countries they came from, but that the parties instrumental in bringing them to this country violated the anticontract labor law and can be prosecuted therefor.

For Catching Jeff Davis.

A treasury draft for $293, as part of the prize money of sloo,ooft offered by the government for the capture of Jeff Davis, has been approved by First Comptroller Asa Matthews. It was drawn in favor of Horace Levernier, of Chicago, who served in company B, First Wisconsin volunteers, and participated in the capture. He but recently made application for his share. There are several more entitled to shares who have applied.

A Blow at Chinese Laundry Men.

Acting Secretary Batcheller has decided that Chinese laundrymen are laborers within the meaning of the Chinese restrictive act, and are therefore prohibited from landing in the United States, no matter whether they have been here before or not. * ,1

Secretary Halford’s Return.

Private Secretary and Mrs. Halford have arrived from Fortress Monroe. Mr. Halford is very much improved and will resume his duties at the White House at once. The New York city worid’s fair guaranty fund amounts to $1,058,146-

WORLD'S EXPOSITION.

THE CHICAGO PEOPLE CXTIRUIS IN THEIR LABOBS. Over •7,000,000 Already Subscribed, with •10,000,000 In Sight—The Masses in theEast in Favor of Locating the Fair in the West. [SJPECIAL CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] In their efforts to secure the Exposition of 1892 for Chicago, the committee have been indefatigable in their labors and are leaving no stones unturned to accomplish their aim. The discord in the East has aided them to some extent, and that there is latent opposition to New York City is demonstrated by the action of the Rhode Island business men called together by the Governor of that State for the purpose of voicing their sentiments in the matterAt the first session of the convention the voice was unanimous for New York. At the next session, addressed by the Hon* Thos. B. Bryan, representing Chicago, the yeas and nays were called for and tho vote was so close that the Governor was unable to decide which city the convention favored, and asked for a rising vote, which resulted 26 for New York and 22 for Chicago. \ United States Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, opined when in Chicago a few days ago that Chicago’s chances for securing the World’s Fair were exceedingly bright. The New Hampshire Auxiliary Committee called on the Senator at his hotel, and before he knew it he was at headquarters, 183 Dearborn street. While Secretary Cragin was confidentially outlining the magnitude of the work that was being done C. B. Holmes walked in and, addressing Secretary Cragin, said: “On behalf of the ChicagoCity Railway Company I wish to subscribe for worth of stock,” at the same time handing him a check for $2,000, which was 2 per cent, of his subscription. Senator Blair opened h's eyes but said* nothing, and before he left headquarters he was enthusiastic for Chicago. That the financial part of the concern is all right is shown by the fact that seven million dollars have already been subscribed, with at least three million more in sight. The surest and most reliable source of information as to the work being done ini New York to secure the fair, and the feeling of the people in regard to it, is thepress of that city. It is already officially known not only that little money hasbeen raised there but also that its financial committee has reported that it does not know how to raise any more. TheNew York Post says: “The committee have not clone a strokeof work except passing a resolution which has excited great opposition ta> the fail on the part of a large and influential portion of the public. It has neither site, plan, nor scope. It has not acquired a a foot of ground nor a dozen brick. Its work is nothing more than the expression of a vague hope, desire, or aspiration, which it can recall in five minutes. " The indispensable requirements of an eligible location for a world’s fair are lacking in New York City. These are an ample supply of pure water, as well as ample space, and accommodation and transportation for all exhibits and visitors. Chicago is not deficient in these, essentials, and can readily accommodate 250,000 strangers daily. It is a wellknown fact that New York City’s hotels and street railways are taxed to their fnll capacity daily by the ordinary every-day transit. President Yerkes, of the North Chicago Street Railway Company, has returned from a flying visit to the East, and; whatever doubt he has ever had about Chicago getting the World’s Fair was dispelled by what he saw and heard. “I divided my time,” he said, “between Philadelphia and New York, and if the facts could be known there is no surer thing than that the masses in both places are in favor of Chicago for th& World’s Fair. What was the argument? I found in Philadelphia an almost universal sentiment in favor of the West, the reason being that the people realizethat too little is known of the country at large and believe that locating the fair in Chicago would be an inducement tothousands to visit, the West who never have, and otherwise never would, but die without beginning to know anything of the extent and resources of the land in which they lived. Then again they argue that the East has had two monstei*fairs already—one in old Crystal Palace, in New York, many years ago, and the Centennial in Philadelphia—and, besides, they admit that the East is not prepared to do an exposition of the kind the degree of justice that would be accorded it in the great Mississipi. In fact, I found that the Philadelphians admitted about everything the most enthusiastic Chicagoans claimed as to the advantage of our location,* our facilities to handle large crowds and care for visitors, and when the time comes and Philadelphia does not lend a helping hand, I will be greatly disappointed. ” For the purpose of showing the relative standing of St. Louis and Chicago in the contest the following has been compiled at headquarters, consisting of formal indorsements by conventions, boards of trade, fairs, clubs and city councils in the Southern and Southwestern States: For For Cbicago. St. Louis State Fairs 6 0 Boards of Trade 16 2 Political Conventions 9 0Conventions 3 0. Commercial Clubs... 2 O City Councils 13 G Total 51 2 In regard to Washington, the people of that city say that had they known what' would be the effect of the conclave of the Knights Templars upon its chances for securing the Exposition of 1892 they would never have invited the Knights tot go there. The Knights went there 35,000 : strong, and said that Washington could not accommodate them for even a few days, and laughed at the idea of her taking care of 250,000 or more strangers daily for 6ix months. The excessive heat and, scant supply of water are also insuperable objections to Washington as a site for the World’s Fair.

The man who believes in nothing is as big a fool as he who believes in everything.

GILES GRAHAM