Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-28
CAPTAIN PHELAN'S IDEA.
He Thinks DR.. Cronin's Assassination the
Result Of Threats of Exposure

KANSAS CITY, May 27.-Captain Thomas
Phelan was interviewed at his residence,
1916 Flora avenue, last evening in regard
TO the CrOnin mystery and the alleged con-
nection of the Grammatical with the as
sassination of the Doctor in Chicago. Cap
tain Phelan is the late superintendent of
the Kansas City workhouse and is quite
prominent in local political circles, but
obtained a worldwide reputation in 1855
by being the victim of an attempted assas-
Snation in O'Donovar Rossa's Office in New
York CITY, in which he was repeatedly
stabbed by concealed assassins, who, how
ever, failed to successfully accomplish their
work. The Irish agitator was very guarded
in his statements and it was evident that
he knew more than he cared to
give away to the newspapers. 1t
is certain, however, that Captain Phelan
regards DR.. Cronin as a victim of a we'll
planned and executed conspiracy growing
out of his connection with the Irish socie-
ties, notwithstanding that theory is scout
ed by Colonel Michael Boland, of this city,
Alexander Sullivan, Father O'Reilly and
others.
sit WAS carefully planned conspiracy
to assassinate DR.. Cronin, and he didn't
come out as lucky rs l did," said Captain
Phelan. The two cases are somewhat
somebody who was afraid he was going to
give them away. There is no doubt about
it, and | hope they will soon clear up the
horrible mystery which surrounds the aw-
full affair and punish the murderers who
ever they may be- / did not know Cronin
personally, but knew him to be man who
would raise trouble every time anything
looked suspicious. If he thought there
was any corruption of the funds of the
Clsn-na-Gael. he would be sure to say so
and commence tremendous kick. This
would naturally create enemies. In this
way I account for his death. There is no
doubt in my mind that DR.. Cronin's enc
mics committed the deed TO shield them
SELVES from the exposure he had threat
ened TO make. 1t was ali planned before
hand, just as in my case, and every step
was marked out plainly"
Are you member ofthe Gamma Gael.
caprain?"
IF was l could not tell you answered
Captain Phelan, land it is useless to ques-
ton me on that point know very little
of their doingS."
did you read the charge that the exec
utive committee of the league, Michael
Boland, Alex Sullivan, DIR. Feely, had
misappropriated large sums of money be-
longing TO the society?n
Yes, l read it, and. so far as Colonel
| Boland, is concerned, / do not believe a
WORD OF It, tie Is TOO Well known, too
| honest and too poor to be guilty of such a
| charge. Michael Boland is not that kind
| of a man. am not acquainted with either
Sullivan or Feely.'
| 1t was evident that Captain Phelan did
4 not wish TO enter into a full discussion of
| the matter, as he insisted at every sentence
/ that he knew nothing about the matter
4 that would be OF interest TO the news
/ papers, and reporters had probably got
! Cronin into trouble which resulted in his
death.
\ worthless drunken reporter was the
cause of the attack upon me by hired
assassins, added the captain. Il was
talking about my trip TO England and the
| situation there 10 member OF the
| society u which l belonged. Il was
statement which L had a right
| 10 make TO fellow member. In fact,
| IL was in the nature OF a report which
| was required 20 report to him. The re-
/ porter was lying in the corner of the room.
! as thought drunk and asleep. He heard
| the conversation, however, made two cop
| les of the report, sold one copy TO q New