Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-11-18
0'SULLIYAN TURNED PALE.
A Witness OF Doubtful Character Tes-
titles at the Croniu Trial

CHICAGO. Nov. l6.
The first witness in the Cronin case today
was James Clancy, correspondent of the
New York Herald, who testified on behalf of
the prosecution. He called at O'Sullivan's
house on the morning of the day that Cron-
ms body was discovered. | asked O'Sulli-
van, said the witness if he knew DIR Cronin
He told me he had known him fer five years,
and that he met him at a political meeting in
ward II. asked him what he thought of
the disappearance of DR.. Cronin.
He said, to the best of my recollection,
that he would turn up somewhere; further
more, that he did not believe that he had
been murdered asked him about the con-
tract he had made with Dr. Cropin. He
said. in reference to that contract, that he
had been introduced personally to DIR. Cronin
few weeks before that time by Judge Ma
honey. | asked him why he made the con
tract. He said because accidents had hap
pened, and then said something about wish
ing to have physician to attend to anything
of the kind that ight occur in the future.
I called again late in the evening of the
same day. after hearing that the body had
been found. and said to him Mr.. O'Sullvan,
the body of DR.. Cronin has been found
He turned pale and said What, the
body of DR.. Cronin found2 Is it true!'
| said "Of course, don't know for GER
tain. | heard it had been discovered in the
catch basin, and is lying at the police station
about a mile from here. have cab at the
door. Will you accompany me and identify
the body at the morgue:"
He shook, and sank into his chair and said :
NO. could not go. could not identify
him. 1t would be useless for me to GO
said: Mr. O'Sullivan, you told me this
morning YOU knew DIR. Cronin well. 1t is
only short distance. Come along md
identify the boiy. Il may rot be DIR. CroDin's
body, Let u. make sure?'
He said No. could Il go. II | met
him in the street might know him, but
could not identify his body"
The cro>s-exa,nination of the witness then
began. 1t was .,irec;ed TO elciting details
of the witness life from the time of his
birth, up through varied urnalistic career
in London, Paris and elsewhere. Then
coun.c asked what w're you doing in
1872"
II was in prison in 1878
In prison.
"Ye. sir
What forf'
For my come ction with what was known
as the Fenian conspiracy"
Were you Fenian at that timer
No sir, was convict.
You had ceased to be Fenan after they
convicted your"
'Yes sir
What prison were you inf"
II was at Portsmouth at one time. First
| was in Millbank prison in London, and
from there | was sent to Portsmouth.
How long we're you in prisoni
"About 10 years"
What were you convicted fors"
For implication in the Fenian conspiracy
as it was called"
Were YOU convicted of conspiracy"
| No sir
The interest at this point of the examina-
ton had become intense. The witness next
answer, in reply to the question put by the
counsel-"What were you indicted forf'-
| caused hum of excitement around the court
room as he replied For two attempts to
murder"
After relating bis experience with Fenisn-
ism, the witness said II was arrested in
1868 was tried. Two policemen effected
my arrest, and we had tussle. | shot al
them, and that formed the groundwork Of
the accusation against me. and upon that
was tried and convicted at the Old Bailey
London. in 1858 ! was sentenced to penal
servitude for life. During the trial docu-
ments were banded TO the judge re-
lating to my career in the lrist
Republican Brotherhood. Afterwsrd bs
remarked that it was very bad
case. and in open court he said was very
dangerous man, after looking over these doc.
uments and he, therefore, gave the highest
sentence of the Law, short of hanging that
he could. remained in prison, as have
stated, about 10 years, and, in the meaI
time. friends Of mine in Parliament had made
efforts to have me liberated, Finally, they
succeeded. The sentence for life was re-
dnced IA years; but four wears we're subse
quently taken of FOR what they were pleased
to term good conduct, and was then liber
ated on ticket of leave.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Clancy's examin
alton. the State rested, and the defsnc
moved en- behalf Of Burke. CoughIin. O'Sal
livan and kunze that all evidence respecting
what the prosecution called 1.-THE camp q
conspiracy" be stricken from the record
Tho conrt oveyyuied tho Yuotion