The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-23
DR.. CRONIN'S MURDER.
All Chicago's Police at
Work On the Mys-
teriouS Case.
MANY SENSATIONAL THEORIES
A Review of His Connection With
the Irish Societies.

CHICAGO, May 90, 1889. = The discoy-
cry of DR.. Cronin's body is thought
by the police to be the first step
in unearthing as mysterious and great a
crime as ever went down in the police an
nails of any city.
1t will be the first object of the officials
to have number of suspicious assertions
explained; assertions made by supposed
friends of the murdered man. Lieutenant
Elliott will have these people at the in
quest, and demand an explanation, full
and complete. 1t will be no surprise II a
number of well known Irish citizens
should be arrested before night on sus-
picion.
: 1t will be remembered that Thomas f.
O'ConnOr. an employee in the City Law
Department, said to a reporter, Show
me Cronin's. body and I'll point out his
murdererS."
This remarkable statement Mr.. O'Con-
nor refused 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-
tiyes claim that they have been handi-
capped from the start by lack Of assist
ance from those who claimed to know all
concerning the Doctors removal for ire
moyal," all agree, it now appears to have
been.
One of the theories openly discussed on
the streets as the cause OF DR.. Cronin's
murder, is that he was British spy and
was murdered because of what he knew
about secret societies and Irishmen
especially active in the Irish cause. 1t Is
argued that he was not in favor with
those who have taken a prominent part in
Irish affairs, because his policy was too
rabid and violent, and that he associated
with men more rabid and violent than
himself. His mission becoming known, he
was murdered to prevent the English
government from learning the things he
knew.
Next to the mystery surrounding the
cause of DIR. Cronin's removal stand the
suspicious statements made to the police
by the man Black or Woodruff, now con-
fined In the County Jail for horse steal
ing. His famous story concerning the
removal of a trunk containing human
body from the Watrous barn, on the
morning after the disappearance OF
Cronin, to the place where it was md
by the police, was, after investig N,
thought by the police to be false. L--sfn
the light of Yesterdays developments 1t
was thought there might be truth in it.
Accordingly Woodruff was last night
again subjected to the pumping process.
The best that could be got, however, was
that he (Woodruff) would do his best to
explain certain things If the officer would
secure bail for him. Woodruff insisted
that it was not Cronin's body he hauled
from the barn that night, and that If
Cronin is dead he was killed since that
night. because he saw him at the barn.
The Herald this morning prints the fol-
lowing:-'Mention has already been made
in the Herald in connection with this
case of the motive for Dr. Cronin's muir
H.. pr;aAu II ic foIloUa Gtafad hv
those in the best position for knowing all
the facts:-
When Dr. Cronin first came to Chicago
from ST. Louis he became identified with
the local branches of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, as well as with the Clan
na-Gael In both he became involved in
factional fights, but in the latter society
soon rose 10 distinction. He was an en-
thusiastic society man, very popular and
and constantly in conventions and
councils He believed that the chief
officer of the Clan-na-Gael was making
questionable disposition OF the funds OF
the order, and he antagonized that
leaders policy. Many other Irishmen of
the better class believed as Cronin did,
but preferred to drop out rather than en-
gage in fight Cronin, however, who
was combative, urged that an enquiry be
made and he was at length expelled, To-
gether with others who felt as he did.
With these friends DIR. Cronin organized
a new branch of the clan, which grew in
power so rapidly that the old organization
was compelled to recognize it, and at q
convention held in Chicago in 1888 an eff
fort was put forward to consolidate the
two divisions. 1t was then learned that
Cronin was in possession of evidence
strong enough to convict the chief
officer of treason to lreland's
canse. and also of embezzling
the funds of the Clan Gael. AS his
terms of union with the old society DR..
Cronin insisted that joint committee of
three from each branch should be ap-
pointed to investigate the charges against
the chief executive of the parent brancn.
The Joint committee was appointed; lt
canvassed the evidence, and, it is stated
arrived at a decision finding the chief
guilty as charged.
At the convention to be held during the
present month at Philadelphia this re-
port was to have been submitted and was
expected to have the effect OF utterly
crushing q popular idol, as the accused
official had many friends. Pending the
report of the joint committee Cronln
was entrusted with the documents
which substantiated his oft repeated
charges. For his work in this prosecu.
tion 1t was often stated that his lie had
been threatened, he even declaring as
much in public meeting on one occa-
sion. 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 Ias ten
the crime of his assassin alton on tne
guilty men.