The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-21
Testimony With the Object of Prov
ing an Alibi for 0'Sullivan
and Coughlin.
The Leading Attorney for the State
Put on the Stand By the
Defense.
Beggs' Lawyers Endeavor TO show That
Their Client Did Nothing TO Hin
der an Investigation


alibis for the defendants in the Cronin case
was resumed this morning. Mrs. Thomas
Whalen, who keeps house for 0'Sullivan, and
her sister, Kate Mccormick, who spent the
night of the murder at O'Sullivan's, corrob-
GRATED the evidence Of the former witnessas
that 0'Sullivan was in the house all the
time that night and that they were awake
until o'clock and he wHs still there. Mrs.
Whalen said she was present when Clancy,
Of the New York Herald, wanted Sullivan
to 20 and see Cronin's body, but 0'Sullivan
refused because he didn't know Clancy,
but said he would 20 il a policeman asked
him.
Matt Danahy, saloonkeeper, testified
Martin Burke was in his saloon from to
10 ON the evening of May 4. On cross-ex-
animation the fact was developed that wit
ness was member of Camp ~. He admit
ted he had been supplying Burke with
meals and that he visited Winnipeg some
time ago for the purpose Of looking around.
lie denied ever having sent money 10 Burke
M Winnipeg and denied that he ever called
Cronin spy or other approbrious epithet.
lie admitted he was the treasurer of the
prisoners defense fund and active in rails
ing money.
w. 4. Coughlin, saloonkeeper, corrob-
Grated Danahy's testimony about Burke be
ing in the latter's saloon on the night Of
May4.
At the afternoon session John O'Malley,a
clerk in the North town assessors office,
corroborated Danahy's evidence as 10
Burke. Dan Lyman, city contractor and
a member of Camp 80, told of the meeting
of Feb. (, when the committee was appoint
| ed TO investigate the statement that the re-
port of the Buffalo trial committee had been
| prematurely made public in Cronin's cnmp.
| Witness said after the resolution was adopt
ed the matter WIS reconsidered and referred
10 district officer Spelman, Of Peoria. Ex-
Congressman John A. Finnerty said he was
a member Of Camp ~. He had never heard
of an inner circle'' in il. Several other
witnesses were examined in regard to the
inner circle" but none Of them
knew anything about IL. States-Attorney
| Longenecker was then called as witness
on behalf of Defendant Beges. He OBJ
jected, but utter brief argument the court
ordered his examination to proceed. In re-
ply to questions. the states-attorney said he
had heard Beggs' testimony before the cor
oner's jury and had subsequently caused
Begas 10 be brought before the grand jury.
When Mr.. Foster asked him il he had ex-
amined Beggs before the grand jury Mr..
Mills, of counsel for the state. objected. In
| reply to the query of the court as to what
he meant by this line of examination, Fos-
ter said: II mean 10 show that Beggs
Voluntarily told the states-attoney when
witness before the grand jury in regard TO
this Cronin correspondence aud the action
of Camp 20 III this matter. ] propose 10
show first the information came from Beggs
10 Longenecker of the matter being referred
TO Spelman, and further through Chief of
Police Hubbard presented 10 the states
attorney the correspondence in his own be-
half, and further offer 10 prove that utter
that examination, and in pursuance of
what Beggs stated under oath, Spelman
was subpmnAed rs n witness before the
grand jury, and interrogated and furnished
the letters Beggs had written him in pur-
suance Of the voluntary statement of Beggs
| in this matter 90 Longenecker, the
matter being referred 30 Spelman, and
further through the chief Of police
presented to the states attorney the cores
pondence in his own behalf further offer
To prove that after that examination, and
in pursuance Of what Beggs stated under
oath, Spelman wis subpmnaed as n witness
before the grand jury and interrogated and
furnished the letters Beggs had written him
in pursuance Of the voluntary statement
| Beggs made in the matter, which the stntes-
attorney knew nothing about"
The court said Foster WAS entitled 10 get
that before the jury. The examination then
proceeded. The examination developed
that Beggs told the states attorney of the
correspondence between defendant and
Spelmnn and in pursuance Of that informa-
tion the states-attorney caused Spell
man TO be examined aud sub
pnnaed. He produced the letters he
had written BeRRs. Up TO the time
OF the information the states-attorney
did not know BegQs had written any letters
10 Spelman. Foster then asked If the testi-
mony Of Beges before the grand jury was
not the first information the es-attorney
had that there bad been such correspond
ence. Judge Longenecker said this question
WIS pttting words in his mouth and he
would not answer IL, but finally said Beggs
said there were letters TINT would explain
the whole thing. or something 10 that elect.
Letters were written 10 Spelman and the
replies explained The secret committee mr.
rangemeIt. The states-attorney further
admitted in reply 10 a question that Beggs
wanted him TO obtain those letters.
Chief of Police Hubbard was called and
admitted after Begg's arrest they had had a
conversation regarding the Spelman cores
pondence, and that Begps had directed him
where in his (BegRs' desk to find the letters
which he wished taken toJudge Longeneck
or. Adjourned.