Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-11-05
JUST DESERTS
Was What O'SulliVan Said Of
Cronin's Murder.
He Told Mrs. Paffaf the Doctor Was a
a British Spy'
Spellman Tu.ns Traitor to the Prosecu.
tiou, Deuyiog Former Statements.

tH1tADp, NOV. 4.
The first witness called in the Croniu trial
| this moraing was Edward Spellman, district
officer of the United Brotherhood of Peoria,
| Ill who vas examined on behalf of the
prosecution by the States Attorney.
/ Witness identified certain spondence
/ which passed between him aud Beggs in re-
gard TO the business of the order.
As the examination of the witness pro-
ceeded, IT became evident that he was An un-
willing witness and that his testimony WAS
different from tina. which he gave before the
grand jury ard from what the prosecution
expected.
He said he met Beggs on April % and he
said the matter referred to in their correspon
dence, viz that the proceedings of the trial
committee had been read ia a certain camp
in violation of the rules had been smieably
settled.
"Dii you not tell me iht Beggs said the
matter had been attended to:' asked the
States attorney.
Ne" answered the witness. II have no
recollection of it,"
Speliman then testified he knew Dan
Coughlin, who with the man named kunze
had visited Peoria year ago and presented
letter Of introduction. He had no convey
sation with Coughlin about DIR. Cronin.
This was in direct contradiction of SPELL
mans previous testimony and he was asked
BY Longene cker If he had not swotn that
Coughiia spoke to him about DIR Cronin.
There was a long wrangie over this ques-
ton, VIII ich vas faally allowed and Speliman
answered, IL said before the grand jury that
in conversation with Coughlin at Peoria,
that he said Crouin was a-but on re- laction
and on consultation with the other two men
present seut my attorney to Chicago TO
notify the district attorney that | was mis-
taken. My attorney was unable to find
Judge Loagenecker, SO | came myself
specially 10 Chicago and not lied Judge
L0ngenecker and the other counsel tina, if
they asked me that question on the stand
should have to deny it in order to do justice
10 myself aHd to fact After | left the grand
jury room and vert home ard slept felt
annoyed and troubled | felt that had pos
sibly done wrong TO Coughlin and went i'm
mediately to Falions Downs and told them
what | had sworn to before the grand jury
and that was bothered about it. They said
Mr.. SpellmaD, you have made mistake.
No such conversation took place.
Witness said in reply u a question that he
had seen Alexander Sullivan before going
TO the STATE Attorneys office, but that he
that Sullivan WAS taking very sharply against
him and that his visit was not IN connection
with the case
The corres poDJeuce between Beggs and
Spellnan wa. then read. Feb. 18th Beggs
wrote, why in Gods name, if men are
sincere, will they insist upon opening old
sores The majority of our men believe the
parties charged to be innocent of ANY crimi-
nal wrong and to have charges continually
that they are gTilty, creates bitterness and
i'll feeling, and man or men who continue TO
bring charges are not friends of Irish unity.
The rank and file are sincere. They want
peace and the time is not far distant when
they Will have il, even if it has TO come to
war. Men who are the power
will in time realize the motives of those who
are continually breeding disorder in their
rank and day of punishment will come"
After the reading of CORRESPONDENCE, of
winch extracts only are given above, long
cross examination was conducted by Forest
John A Mahonev, Justice of the Peace,
testified that he was present at Cooks Hall.
Lake View, last March when Cronin Dsti-
tnted camp of the Clan ma Gael. Patrick
OSullivaD one of the defendants, was pres
ent and acted as doorkeeper. After the
meeting journed, O'Sullivan asked the
witness about Cronins standing as physi.
clan and received favorable reply. He
srranged with the witness to visit Cronin
with him TO make ali arrangement to have
Crorin care tor O'Sullysns men About
the middle of April thev went together to
Cronln's office, and O'SulIivan arranged
with Cronin to take care of his men in case
of accident for six OF eight dollars per month.
OSullvan gave Cronin some of his cards
saying he might be out of town or sick, and
if he was wanted under such circumstances
one of these cards would be presented
In the afternoon session Mrs. Addie J.
Farrar testified to the conversation which
took place between herself and O'Sulivan
soon after Cronins body was found Wit
ness said II spoke of the matter to O'Sulli-
van. said, Was it not terrible murder?'
O'Sullvau said yes. | said, 1T was some
thing fearful to decoy a person away and
murder him in that manner. O'Sullivan
did not say anything for few minutes and
then said, They say he was British spy
| said, Why should they want to kill him if
he was a spy? O'Sulliyan said, He gave
away secrets of secret order and if man
did that he ought to be killed, if he did that
he has got no more than he deserved |
said, If he did he is another Morgan. He
said. Such men get their Just deserts.
Several policemen and ex-policemen of
of Lakeview testified to seeing driving on
the streets the night of May wagon con-
tanning three men and an apparently new
trunk, and later on the wagon without the
trunk.
The court after a brief discussion a. to
the legality of holding a session on election
day, adjourned Professionally until ten to-
morrow.