The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-19
wooDRUFF's QUEER TALE.
He duplicates Alexander Sullivan in the
CrOnin Conspiracy.

CrOnln conspiracy
CHICAGO, June 16-AI previous confessions
of Woodruff, the horse thief, who has been in
dicted for completely in the Cronin tragedy,
were eclipsed this morning in an entirely new
story from him, published in an extra of the
Times. He contradicts and dscredits every
other Statement heretofore attributed to him.
and now appears in the role of an ex-member of
the Canadian militia claiming that he was trusted
by Cronins alleged murderers, because he fur
nished Fenian spies with valuable information
during one OF the military raids into Canada.
Woodruff says he arrived in Chicago March 26,
and obtained work from gardner on South
port-ave not far from the Carlson cottage.
After three or four days work for the gardner,
Woodruff was taken sick. His narrative says:
with the intention Of going to the county
hospital, / drifted into Sullivan's place /
made up my mind that he was fenian, and re-
minded him Of certain scenes during the fenian
raid into Canada. / went over during that
raid as volunteer in the Twenty-fourth Kent
battalion, whose headquarters were at Chat
ham. We went as far as Niagara. At that
time ! was assigned to the adjutant's depart
ment and gave to some fenian spies who came
to our camp such points as / learned while in
that place. That was my first connection with
the Clan-na-Gael. Sullivan told me he would
get me some work If possible. From there
came down and went to work at Deans livery
stable"
Woodruff tells that he met Detective Cough
lin soon afterward and had drink with him.
conveying the impression that Coughlin knew
Woodruff to be thief and Woodruff believed
the detective to be a "fence." While walking
together they met Sullivan. the ice man. Sui
Ivan mentioned Woodruffs request for en-
ployment and Coughlin quizzed Woodruff that
a man in his line should want work" Wood
ruff persisted that he was labOring for his
board and clothes at the livery stable. Cough
lin and Sullivan went off together.
"Hhat was about the I'd of April" continued
Woodruff. melville arrived in Chicago about
this time. This is the first mention OF Mel
vile in the confession / know this be-
cause day or two afterward was over on the
south-side and went into the Owl saloon,
which is kept by Sol Van Praag. / had been
over on Fourth-ave. before that. / went to q
back room and saw Melville and Coughlin
drinking together. This was in the evening. |
knew Melville, as had met iIin in California.
lie was great friend of Desmond and sand
lot kearney during the labor troubles there.
After taking several drinks Coughlin left us
saying he had to keep an engagement"
Melville and Woodruff, so the latter says,
the neighborhood for an hour or more, and then
Melville took leave, saying he was stopping at
McCoy's hotel. Woodruff implanted Of being
broke and Melville gave him two or three
dollars, saying. 81 want to see you again" Two
days afterward Woodruff attempted to see Mel
vile at McCoy's, and looked over the register
and made inquiries of the clerk, but did not
press TO see Melville, not wishing TO create sus-
picion-
Going north" Woodruff continues, 81 met
McD0ugal near the Northwestern depot and
Coughlin with him. This is the first men,
ton of McDougaL) AS came up, Coughlin
said: Good; ne is just the man wanted to
see.' Then to McDougal he said: Are you
acquainted% I replIed: i guess / ought to
know Mac McDougal turned to me and said:
That viii do. My name is Williams /
laughed and said: "A rose by any other name
would probably be az sweet 1 had known
McDougal, or as he now called himself Will
Jams as rough-and-ready spirit and an old
worker for the Clan-na-Gael although during
the intermediate time he had worked as q
blacksmith CoughIin and McDougsll bad
quite . talk while waited. After Q talk,