The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-01
Witnesses in the Cronin Trial Tell
How the Doctors Life Was
Menaced.
The Man From Whom the Carlson
Cottage Furniture Was Bought
On the Stand.
why Beggs Objected 10 CronIn-sensa-
tionni story of a Spy Being In
the Clan ma Gael.

CHICAGO. Oct. 3l.-The proceedings in the
Cronm case this morning were uninterest-
ing. Two witnesses testified to hearing de-
fendant Coughlan say there is Catholic
ON the North side who will get done up il
he don't keep his mouth shut"
Furniture salesman Hatfield retold the
story of selling the furniture to J. b. ST.
monds, which was subsequently found in
the Carlson cottage. The chief point of in
terest developed was that il was furniture
in common use and there were no marks ON
il 20 perfectly establish its identity. Hat
field also identified the trunk in which
Cronin's body was carried away M identical
in appearance with that sold 10 Simonds.
When court resumed its session the jury
was excluded while the matter of striking
out McGary's evidence was discussed. The
court finally decided to exclude all talk in
regard 10 the former attack ON Cronin.
This was not satisfactory 10 the defense,
but after some talk the trial was resumed
John W. Samson testified that about two
years ago Coughlin tried to hire him TO
"slug" DIR. CrOnn. On discrimination
samson admitted Coughin had arrested
him three or four times, once for robbery;
that he had been convicted of passing coun-
terfeit money; that lac IL n gambler by pro-
foasion.
Joseph G. O'Keefc, Cronin's tailor, said
he attended the meeting of Camp 10 in
September, lSSS. and after II had conver-
sniion with Beggs about Cronin and Alex
nnder sullivan. Bcggs had displayed aver
sion 20 Cronin, and sa Il Cronin was not the
proper man to put on the trial committee TO
try Alexander Sullivan. He objected 10
CrOnin particularly because the doctor was
the enemy of Sullivan.
Edward Thockmorton, Aaron Goldman
and James M. Marshall, connected with
real estate Office, testified regarding the
renting OF the Hat at III Clark street 20 ~.
u. SimOnds Court then adjourned till
tomorrow.
An afternoon paper says soon after Gro
Minis disappearance the DOCTORS friends put
spies upon Camp 20. and that n man was
concealed in the hall during some of its
meetings and took notes OF its proceedings.
WINNIPEG, Oct. 3l.--Assstant States AZ.
torney Baker, of Chicago has elected
new, and If true, important information
from Gillette. late fellow prisoner Of Mar
tin Burke. Burke said the plot had been
10 decoy Cronin from his house by woman.
Afterwards Coughiin changed the plan and
decoyed Cronin by means of osulliyan's
business card. Burke told Gillette,
the woman in question, kept furnished
lodgings ON North Clark street in
Chicago. Burke mentioned as associated
with himself. Cougblin, Cooney and O'Sul-
livan. The intention WIS 20 sink the body
in the lake, but the confederate who was TO
meet them with a boat failed TO keep his
| appointment. Gillette, says Burke, went
twice 10 lawyers Office on Dearborn street.
Chicago, and got money for doing the job.
Cronin's clothes were brought 10 Winnipeg
tuu hidden there.
Gillette told Baker how Burke told him in
detail Of the murder; how Cronin was
clubbed as lac stepped inside the cottage
door and how they took the body 10 the
lake and not finding the boat there,
threw II in. Fcnrng, however, il would
wash up on the bench. il was
taken back, placed in the trunk and after.
wards put IN the catch basin. Gillctt's
story Is very circumstantial. Baker il in
olined to believe II straight, in spite of the
apparent improbability Of Burke having
confessed.