The New York herald., 1879-11-14
MICHAEL CRONIN'S WEALTH.

soL1CIToUs RELATIVES CHARGE A CONTRACTOR
WITH INsANIrY-A DISAGREEMENT OF THE
JURY.
Mr. Michael Cronin. now about sixty years Of age
has been long known q contractor, and has accu-
mulated wealth estimated at from 100000 to
$25O.OOO. He is married and has son with whom
and his wife he has always lived in domestic har-
mony and has also sisters and brothers-inlaw with
whom his relations have not been always quite so
harmonious. Under the leadership Of his sister
Mrs. Crowley. and her husband. his other sisters
and brothers-in-law. began to take q deep
interest in his person and his property. and
ordered from the house by his wife. Their
next resort was to sue out in the Court Of Common
Pleas commission of lunacy against Mr.. Cronin.
alleging that from constant habits of intoxcation
during about two years past his mind had become
impaired to such an extent that he incapable
OF taking of his property and allowing IL to
was asked for was sworn to by the sister. Mrs.
Crowley and by DR.. Francis A. Thomas Of Yorkville
The a..sSsn commission Msi aided by shsrs jrry met
and Connolly representing tho sisters who had
out the commission. and Messrs. A. H. Reavey
% Of Mr.. cronin. his d wife and n SON. 'efss's Ths
evidence on the part OF the sisters was
been seen on q number Of occasions under the infu-
ence OF liquor. Among the other symptoms of his
insanity detailed were that he would in TAX
ing bath with his clothes OF; in warm weather
he would go about the house with his coat o6
and when sitting his stoop he would occasionally
nod his head against the side railing. Some of hts
property had got In such condition as to call for
the attention OF the Department Of Buildings and the
Board of Health, and he had to pay several judg-
ments obtained against him for repairs caused be
made by the former, but no inStance given In
which he had sQuandered his money or been over
reached in bargain.
MEDICAL MIsAPPREHENsIoN.
Dr. Thomas, who swore to the petition. testi-
fed that he did so under . Misrepresentation Of the
object Of the proceedings. he supposing 1t for
the purpose OF putting Mr.. Cronin's property into
the legal care of somebody to allow him to go
He did not think Mr.. Cronin present condition war
ranted the assertion that he incapable of taking
care of his property. although his aidavt true
when made.
Mr.. Cronin. the respondent, gave q very clear
statement OF all his business and property transdc-
tions for years past, and added since the COM
mencement OF the present proceedings he had con-
veyed all his property to his wife with the intention
protecting from the raids of his relatives He added
further that since the commencement of the present
proceedings his brother-in-law Crowley, had tried
to induce him to drink, but he refused. believing
the solicitation was made with the intention 'of
using 1t against him before the commission He
admitted that he had been accustomed to drink, had
occasionally within the past two years been drunk
but denied that 1t ever interiered with or inca
pactated him for any business necessary to be at
tended to.
After more than an hours deliberation the Jurors
announced at nine o'clock last evening" that it was
impossible for them to agree. The jury stood nine
in favor OF Mr. Cronin's sane sobriety and four
against him.