Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-05
THE CRONIN TRIAL.

| Edward Spellmah is Found to be an
| Unwilling Wisness-His Testimony
| In Contradiction OF That Given he.
| fore the Grand Jury-1ahoncy on the
| Stand-Mrs. Farrar's Conversation
With O,Sull1van.
CHICAGO, Nov. 4.-On the opening of the
Cronin trial this morning Edward Spellman,
district officer of the United Brotherhood
of Peoria, H., was examined in behalf of
the prosecution By the States attorney. It
was evident that he was an unwilling witt
ness, and that his testimony was different
jury and from what the prosecution expect
ed. He said he met Beggs on April 20 and
he said the matter referred to in their CORE
spondence, viz: that the proceedings of the
trial committee had been read in q certain
camp in violation Of the rules, had been am
ieably settled.
Mr.. Spellman them testified that he knew
Dan Coughlin, who, with q man named
Kunze, had visited Peoria year ago and
presented a letter of introduction. He had
no conversation with Coughlin about DR..
Cronin. This was in direct contradiction of
Spellman's previous testimony, and he was
asked by Mr.. Longeneoker if he had not
sworn that Coughlin spoke to him about DR..
Cronin. There was long wrangle over this
question, which was finally allowed, and
Spellmsn antwered: st said before the
grand jury that in conversation with Cough
lin at Peoria that he said Cronin was -,
but on reflection found I was mistaken"
After further testimony, the oross-examina~
ton was begun by Mr.. Forrest.
During the cross examination Mr.. Spell
man was asked: "Did Beggs ever speak with
you about any charges against Cronin in any
case?"
"a great deal was said about Cronin, but
to place it upon any ono man, or at any one
time, could not do at this time"
"Was it not because OF his organization of
other campsa"
"No, because he was always anxious to
prefer charges. He was kind of an agftator.
He was an honest man, aud he was not
bad fellow If he could have his own way, If
not -"
Mr.. Hynes-'1 object to his making any
such statement as that. DR.. Cronin is dead
and cannot respond to any such charges
against him."
"Were any charges made by Beggs against
any individual in his official position as
senior guardiant"
"No, SIR" answered Mr.. Spellman.
The witness went on to say ia response to
questions that at the request of Bsggs at the
last, Spellman read these letters to the as
sembled guardians.
The court finally said that authorities
might be brought in on the point at the af
terneon session. The cross-exsmination was
then resumed. The witness was asked q
number of questions in regard to the object
of the visit of KunEe to Peoria with Cough.
lin as to whether 1t had any connection with
DR.. Cronin. Spellman said it had not, as
Co.. In fo,s La
that they were entitled to show he was an
unwilling witness. It was stated in the ar
gument that followed that Spellman sub
scribed $500 toward the arrest and coRvio.
ton of the murderers of DR.. Cronin.
Spellman was then excused and John A.
Mahoney, Justice of the peace, testified that
he was present at Cooks Hall in Lakeview
last March when DR.. Cronin instituted O. camp
Of the Clan na-Gael. Patrick O'Sullivan,
one Of the defendants, was also present and
acted as doorkeeper. After the meeting
O'Sullivan asked witness about DIR. Cronin's
standing as physician and received favor
able reply. O'Sullivan gave DIR. Cronin
some of his cards, saying that he might be
out Of town or sick, and that If he were
wanted under such circumstances one of
these cards would be presented.
In the afternoon Judge Mcconnell said:
II have considered the testimony in question
of ar. Spellman since the adjournment Of
court, and do not think that part ought to
stay there. I am going to exclude it."
Mrs. Addie j. Farrar then testified as to
conversation which took place between her
self and O'Sullivan soon after DR.. Cronin's
body was found. The witness said:
1T spoke of the matter to Mr.. O'Sullivan,
said to him: WAS it not terrible murder!
Mr.. O'Sullivan said, Yes, but he gave away
the secrets of secret order, and if man did
that he ought to be killed. If he did he has
got no more than he deserved I said that
If he did he was another Morgan. He said:
Such men get their just deserts.'"
Several policemen and ex-pelicemen of
streets on the night of May A a wagon con-
tanning three men and an apparently new
trunk, and, later on, the wagon without the
trunk.
The court, after brief discussion as to the
legality of holding a session on election day,
adjourned Professionally till 10 o'clock to-
morrow.