The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-11-06
THE CRONIN TRIAL.
LAYING BARE THE CONSPIRACY IN
THE CLAN-NA-GAEL.

A Strong Case Being Made Out Against
John F. Beggs, the High Muck-a-Muck
Of the Notorious Organization-An At
tachment Issued for an Unwilling WIT
ness.
CHICAGO, October 30.-At the opening
of the court in the Cronin trial this
morning, States Attorney LongenecSer
asked for an attachment against Ed
ward Spellman of Peoria, ILL.,, district
officer of the Clan-na-Gael. Mr.. Longe-
necker said Speliman had been served
with a subpoena, and had agreed to
come when called for. Two kilograms
had been sent to him, but he had lot
responded. An attachment was ordered
issued.
The first witness sworn was Dennis
o'Connor. He testified that he was 4
menber of Camp 20. At a meeting OF
the camp on February s last, witness
said he heard Thomas O'Connor state
that he had heard read in DR.. Cronln'S
camp the minority +, port of the COM
mittee to try the executive body OF the
order. The namas of the members OF
the executive body were not mentioned
and witness said he never knew who
composed the triangle. Then 1t was
voted to appoint q committee to 60 up
to Cronin's camp and investigate the
matter OF the minority report which
Cronin had read. The cross-eXamlna-
ton ELECTED nothing new.
Stephen Colleran, who was on the
stand at the time Of the Adjournment Of
court last evening, was recalled, and
after answering Il few unimportant
questions from the State was turned
over to the defense for cross examina-
ton. 1t developed nothing of interest:
Patrick Nolan, financial secretary of
Camp 20, produced his record book and
from it testified as to the numbers borne
by Coughlin, Cooney, O'Sullivau, Beggs
and Burke, all of whom except Cooney
are now on trial. Witness further testi-
fled that he was present at the meeting
Of the camp on the night Of May ;, the
day preceding DR.. Cronin's death; that
Beggs presided; that there was call for
report OF the secret c"mmltteee APP
pointed on February 8, and that BeggS
replied that the committee was to report
to him alone Witness said that on the
Sunday following Cronin's disappear
ance he met Burke and Cooney, about .
o'clock in the afternoon, in saloon.
This was before witness knew of Gro
pin's disappearance. They went to an
other saloon and played cards for a
couple of hours.
The next witness was Captain Thomas
F. O'Connor, the man who created cx-
citement in Camp 20 on the night OF
February s by saying he had heard read
in Crouin'S camp the report OF the com
mittee that had tried the triangle.
O'Connor said that Andrew Foy was the
first man to speak that night. Foy arose
in his place in the camp and addressed
the senior guardian, and stated that he
arose under a terrible strain; that after
the disclosures of LeCaron in London,
the organization, as an organization,
was no more; that there were four
British spies in the organization, and
that il should be reorSanlZcd; and every
one that was in the organization who
had the slightest taint or suspicion
attached to HIM should be expelled.
When be got through arose to my feet,
and stated that l was not at all sur
prised at hearing the gentleman
talk as be had done; that knew
bv positive information that the organ
ization was run by 4 parcel ct rogues
known as cur executive body: that they
bad sQuandered our funds, even to the
extent of 100000; and not alone that,
but they sent our best men across to
England to have them put behind the
bars; and now, l state positively, that
LeCaron was an agent Of our executive
board and received pay from them. At
that moment was interrupted by t|o
or three brothers with demand to tell
where l got my information. / did not
like the first brother who spoke to me,
and said: "You demand nothing"
Then there were two or three other
brothers that demanded to know where
I got my information, and there was
general uproar at the time. SO
| turned around to the senior
guardian and said to him: IF the senior
guardian demands of ne where | got
nv information I will Irll him" He
did not say anything. Then there was
some more uproar. turned the second
time and the third time, and said if the
senior guardian would demand Of me
where got my information, | would
tell him. Then I stated | had heard
terrible report Of the entire tLsshsasi'e-
mittec in Buffalo, and tAssY had also
seen a written repas+of 300 pages of
closely. y.wrfttcn long hand about the trial
and that was positive of my statement.
At that instant Daniel Coughlin, a mem
Der Of the camp, arose to his feet aud
said: "Mr. Guardian, | move that
secret committee of three be ap-
pointed to find out the source OF
Captain C:Connor information. These
were his words. Then there was some
one else on his feet, and the senior
guardian wrapped the camp to order, as
il was such tumultuous time, such tur-
moil. Somebody spoke, aud the senior
guardian said: Il will hear no more on
this subject, and I will appoint the COM
emittee"
Question--Who was the senior guard
i'm at this time?
Answer-John FIBeggs.
CHICAGO, October s1-Judge McCon-
neli's court, in which the Cronin trial
is in progress, was called to order nearly
half an hour later than usual this morn
ling. John Kunzc, one of the prisoners,