The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-17
ALL ESCAPE THE MOOSE,
The Great Cronin Trial Ends With
Four Convictions and One Man
Acquitted
OSullivan, Coughlin and Burke Get
Life Sentence and Kunze
Three Years,
senior Guardian Beggs Freed Cr"nins
Friends Displcased and the Clan-na-
Gaeis Glad II Was no Worse.

CmcAoo, Dec. iG.-One of the most MEM
orable trials in the criminal history of
America closed this afternoon, when the
jury impannelled three months ngo returned
its verdict in the Cronin cnse. Ihat the re-
turn of this iary is verdict aud not dis
agreement is a source Of much eongratula-
tion in the public mindmd although there is
naturally much division of sentiment on the
question of approval Of the verdict, the
sense of relief experienced at the final
elimination OF the case is unanimous.
However bitter, too, may have been the
feeling engendercd by the two factions
into which the Irish people have been di-
ydcd in the case. il cannot fail TO be a
source of congutn,ati0n 90 Judge McCOn-
nell that his impartial conduct as presiding
Judge has been such as 10 win for him not
only the applause Of both the opposing fac
tions, but the approval alike Of leading
iurists of the land upon the validity of his
rulings.
When the court convened ut , p N. and
he received the verdict of the jury. there
WAS momentary silence AZ the vast audi
ence breathlessly awaited the first words of
Judge Mcconnell as he mounted the bench.
The jury is prepared 10 make return IN
this case said his honor, but J observe
that Mr. Donahoe, counsel for Usulliyan
and kunze. is absent"
81 have been requested to represent Mr.
Donahue," said Mr. Forrest.
The court announced his satisfaction with
the arrangement, and IA moment later the
door Leading from the jail opened and the
five defendants marched in 10 receive the
announcement of their fate. Hardly n
sound WIS heard as every eye in tue audi
ence tumed toward John +. Beggs, who led
the procession. The face Of the senior
guardian of Camp 20 WIS pale and anxious
looking. but he faced the stare of the audi
cnce boldly. Daniel Coughlin affected his
usual indifference, but his restless. iurtye
eye denoted the terrible mental suspense
the ex-detec,ive experienced as he awaited
the dreadful announcement. Hardly per-
l1n in the court room srccerded in catch
ing Patrick 0'Suliyau. His looks
were directed toward the door, and
whatever emotion he may have
felt at this critical moment was not shown.
Burke's face flushed for "a moment as he
approached his seat. but Immediately after
his features regnined their natural express
sion, and with AN affected nonchalance he
resumed the chewing of gum as has been
his wont during the course of the trial,
For the first time since his arrest. the little
German. John kunze, seemed 10 appreciate
the gravity of his situation. and his usual
air Of iauntinesi was absent. As the aud
icIlce were contemplating the prisoners aud
commenting upon their deineanor the noise
Of many footsteps was again suddenly
heard without, and a moment later
the twelve men in whose iudg-
ment reposed the lives of the de-
PENDANTS entered the room. headed 10y
Foreman Clark. Every prisoner simultau.
eously turned his eye upon the jurors as if
10 read IN Their impressive features the So
crei of the verdict hut there was no sign 10
give them hops or fear. The clerk will
call the roll of Jurors" Every person in
the audience started ms the sound of the
Judges voice broke the silence, only to add
deeper tinge 10 the solennity Of the occa-
sion. Slowly the jurors answered to their
names. and the twelve men were announc-
ed t0 be present.
"Gentlcmeu' said the court, 81 under
stand you have reached il conclusion IN this
case
With bow, Foreman Clnrk took from
his pocket "A large envelope and handed IL
10 the iudgo, who IN turn handed II 10 the
clerk. The clerk will read the verdict.
snid the court. Instantly n hush ensued 50
profound that as the clerk tore open the
envelope the sounp fell dlscordautly upon
anxious ears. moment later this anxiety
became painful in les intensity AZ the su-
nurous voice of the clerk began reading the
verdict. az follows:
I'VE, tue jury, find the defendant, John +.
Beggs. not guilty. We, the jury, find de-
fendant, John kunze. guilty of mAnslaugh-
ter MS charged IN the indictment. ana his
punishment AZ Imprisonment IN the peni-
tentlnry for term of three years. We, the
Jury, find defendants. Daniel CDughlin,
IffIlth " NulllNNH anu lANillN ltNulkt
guilty Of murder IN the manner and III the
form ns charged IN the Indictment ana fix
the penalty at imprisonment IA the pcuitcn-
tinry for the term If their natural lives
At the request Of the defense the jury
wis then polled anu reaiiirmed the verdict
Simultaneous with the announcement of
the We diet Coughlin, O'Sulliyan and Burke
turned denthy pale. while knnze started
suddenly from his seat and u moment lnter
dropped his head upon his breast and burst
into tears. Beggs' lace wus luminous with
10y, md Immediately after the polling Of
the Jury be arose from amid the prisoners
and walked over to the jury box and dur
ing the brenthess lnl that followed shook
Foreman Clarke's hand heartily.
"Gentlemen. | thank you. trust the
future may confirm your judgment upon
me- aud that you will never regret that you
found me not guilty OF this terrible charge"
The only sound that broke the stiffness tul-
lowing this WIS the deep sohs Of little
Kunzo. He burst out with: God knows /
am innocent; / never WIS IN Lake View that
night. Oh. God knows | Am innocent.
gentlemen OSulliyan WIS only one Uf
thesther three prisoners who found refuge
in Nlrs. For ID moment the tears trickled
down his checks, bat minute later his
black ewes flashed with defiance or q revival
Of courage. and d0shing his hand across his
brow he brnced up IA his seat and cnst a
longing glance around the court room, The
only evidence Of terror 10 be perceived IN
Coughlin WAS the increased pallor that
uyerspread his face as he fully realized the