Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-23

with tine local branches of the Ancient Order of
Hlbernlans. as well with the Clan Na-Gael
In both he became involved IN factional fights
but III the latter society he rose to distinc-
ton. lie was an enthusiastic society man. very
popular, and constantly in conventions and
councils. He believed that the chief officer of
the Clan-Na-Gael was making a questionable
disposition of the funds of the order, and he
antagonlzed that leaders policy. Many other
lrlshmen of the better class believed as Cronin
did. but preferred TO drop out rather than en-
gage III fight. Cronln. however. who was
combative, urged that an inquiry be made. and
he was at length expelled together with others
who felt as he did. With these friends Dr.
Cronin
ORGANIZED A NEW BRANCH OF THE CLAN.
which grew In power rapidly that the old or
ganization was compelled to recognize it, and
at a convention held in Chicago in 1883 an eff
fort was put forward to consolidate the two
divisions. 1t was then learned that Cronin
In possession OF evidence strong enough to con-
vlct the chief officer OF treason to Ireland's
cause and also of emheZZiing the funds of the
Clan-Na-Gael. As his terms of union with the
old society DIR. Cronin insisted that a Joint COM
mittee of three from each branch should be
appointed to investigate the charges against
the chief executive of the parent branch. The
joint committee appointed: it canyassed
the evidence and. IL is stated. arrived at deci-
sion finding the chief executive
GUILTY AS CHARGED.
At the convention to be held during the
present month in Philadelphia, this report was
to have been submitted, and was expected to
have the effect of utterly crushing a popular
IDOL as the accused official had many friends
Pending the report of the Joint committee
Cronln was lntrusted with the documents which
substantiated his oft-repeated charges. For
his work IN this prosecution 1t was often stated
that his life had been threatened. he even de-
clarlng as much in public meeting on one
caslon, IN the presence of the man accused
However, he often said that if anything should
happen to him there were papers in Lawyer
Hynes safe that would fasten the crime of his
assassination on the guilty men.
wooDRUFF's CURIOUS STORY.
Next to the mystery surrounding the cause
of DIR. Cronins removal stand the suspicious
statements made to the police by the man
Black or Woodruff, now confined in the
county Jail for horse stealing. His Curl
Gus story concerning the removal of trunk
containing human body from the Watrous
barn. on the morning after the disappearance
of Cronin TO the place where it was found by
the police. was after investigation thought by
the police to De false. But in the light OF yes
terdays developments, it was thought there
might be truth in 1t. Accordingly Woodruff
was last night again subjected to the pumping
process. The best that could be got. however.
explain certain things If the officer would
secure bail for him. Woodruff ii insisted that il
was not Cronin's body he hurried from the
barn that night and that if Cronin is dead he
was killed since that night, because he saw
him at the barn.
WAS CRoSIS BRITISH SPY?
One of the theories openly discussed on the
streets as the cause of DIR. Cronin's murder is
that he was British spy, and was murdered
because OF what he knew about secret societies
and Irishmen specially active in the Irish
cause. 1t is argued that he was not in favor
WIN those who have taken a prominent part
III Irish affairs because his policy was a too
rabld and violent one; that he associated
with men more rabid and violent than himself
His mission becoming known he was mur-
dered to prevent the English government from
learning the things he knew.
THE LINE OF INQUIRY AT THE INQUEST.
The discovery of DIR. Cronin's body is thought
by the police to be the first step in unearthing
mysterious and great crime as ever went
down in the police annals of Chicago Ii will
be their first object to have a number of sus-
pIciOus assertions explained. assertions made
by supposed friends of the murdered man.
Lieut. Elliott will have these people at the in
quest and demand an explanation full and COM
plete. 1t will be no surprise if a number of
well-known Irish citizens should be arrested
before night on suspicion. 1t will be remem-
bered that Ihos. +. O'Conner, an employe in
the city law department, said to a reporter:
'Show me Cronins body and I'll point out his
murderers."
This sensational statement Mr.. O'Connor re-
fused to explain further. He will be given an
opportunity to do so at the inquest Mr. and
Mrs. Conklin and others whose interviews have
all been fraught with insinuating charges will
be called upon for explanations. The detec-
tives claim that they have been handicapped
frnp ar hHv lack Of frnu,,
those who claimed to know all concerning the
doctors removal, for removal" all agree, it
now appears to have been.
WHAT PRESIDENT SULLIVAN SAYS
The face of Alexander Sullivan, ex-president
of the Irish National League of America, was
that of a man horror-stricken as he sat last
night in his parlor and was told by a reporter
OF the finding of DR.. Cronin's body. When
asked what he had to say in regard to the start
ling discovery, replied:
II am at q. loss to know what to say. / am
Mortified. dumbfounded. for have believed all
along that DR.. Cronin would turn up all right
in the course of time"
''Have you no theories to advance as to the
probable cause of the doctors murder"
''None whatever"
''Do you think that his promised exposure of
alleged crookedness in Irish national organiza-
tions had anything to do with his murder?'
Most certainly do not"
SOuhillis. Win NHOul ne lNeQ. sdlQ all
along that il the doctors dead body were found
that they would accuse you of knowing a great
deal more about it than you would care to tell
Do you wish to make any statement on that
question:
II treated it with utter contempt at the time
the statement was first made, and L do the same
now. 1t is beneath my notice.
Then you know absolutely nothing about DIR.
Cronin's death or the causes that led up to
it?"
Il certainly do not, and don't think any
honest man imagines such thing for a mo-
ment."
Who were the persons instrumental in sub
jecting DR. Cronin to the long examination be-
fore two justices of the peace in Chicago, at
which his whole life, public and private, was
brought to light"
II don't wish to give their names further than
that am one of them. / don't think il would
be proper for me to give the names of the
| other gentlemen interested in the matter with
out first consulting them"
"Wm you give your reasons for adopting
such a course to get Cronin's record?"
1T grew out Of the Palmer house commit
tee meeting at the time of the meeting of the
last convention of the Irish National league in
Chicago. There was a division such as there
are in all bodies Of men. Dr.. Cronin was