The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-17
A CRONIN CASE VERDICT.
BEGGS THE ONLY ONE OF THE
PRISONERS ACQUITTED.

Coughlin, Burke and O'Sullivan SEN
fenced to Life Imprisonment-Kunz
Given Three Years in the Peniten-
tiary The Little German Breaks
Down Completely - Burke the Most
Unmoved.
CHICAGO, Dec. 16.-One of the most
memorable trials in the criminal history of
America closed this afternoon, when the
jury, impaneled three months ago, rendered
its verdict in the Cronin case.
That the return Of the jury is verdict,
and not disagreement, is source of much
congratuIation in the public mind, and
although there is naturally much division
of sentiment on the question of approval of
the verdict, the sense of relief which is ex-
perienced at the final elimination of the
case is unanimous However bitter, too.
may have been the feelings engendered
by the two factions into which the Irish
people have been divided on this case. it
cannot fail to be a source OF congratuIation
to Judge Mcconnell that his impartial con-
duct as presiding judge. has been such as to
win for him not only the applause of both
these opposing factions, but the approval
validity of his rulings.
READY FOR THE VERDICT.
As the court convened at o'clock this
afternoon to receive the verdict, there was
a momentary silence as the vast audience
breathlessly awaited the first words of
Judge Mcconnell as he mounted the ros-
trum.
"The jury is prepared to make return
in this case" said his honor, "but observe
that Mr.. Donahoe. the counsel for O'Sulli-
van and Kunze, is absent"
Il have been requested to represent Mr..
Donahoe," said Mr.. Forrest. ''He is out of
the city to-day
The court announced his satisfaction at
the arrangement, and a moment later the
door leading from the Jail opened with q
clang, and the five defendants marched in
to receive the announcement of their fate.
Hardly breath was heard as every eye in
the vast audience turned toward John f.
Beggs, who led the procession The face of
the senior guardian of Camp 20 was pale
with anxiety, but his eyes were full of con-
fdence as he boldly faced the stare of the
audience.
CoUGHLINS TERRIBLE SUSPENSE.
Dan CoughlIn affected his usual indiffer-
ence, but his restless furtive eye betokened
the terrible mental Suspense the ex-detect-
i've experienced as he awaited the dread
announcement of the penalty to be meted
out to him by the law.
Hardly person in the vast court room
succeeded in catching the eye of Patrick
OSullivan. The piercing black eyes of the
iceman sought the floor, and whatever
emotion he felt at this critical MON ent was
invisible, save in a grayish pallor that
overspread his features
Martin Burke flushed for moment as he
approached his seat, but moment later his
features regained their natural appearance,
and with affected nonchalance he resumed
the chewing Of gum, as has been his won't
during the course of the trial
The elated air of John Kunze was absent.
and, for the first time since his arrest, the
little German seemed to fully appreciate the
gravity of his position as he awaited the
verdict of the jury. The audience was
contemplating the prisoners and comment
ing upon their demeanor.
ENTRY OF THE JURY.
The noise of many footsteps was again
suddenly heard without, and a moment
later the twelve men in whose Judgment
rested the lives of the five defendants
entered the room headed by Foreman
Clarke. Every prisoner simultaneously
turned his eyes upon the jurors, as If to
read in their faces the secret of the verdict,
but there was no outward sign to give them
either hope or fear.
''lhe clerk will call the roll of the Jurors
Every person in the audience gave con-
0ulslve start as the sound of the Judges
voice broke the silence, only to add deeper
awe to the solemnity of the occasion. The
jurors slowly answered to their names, and
The twelve men were announced to be
present. "Gentlemen," said the court, II
understand YOU have reached conclusion
in this case?'
With bow Foreman Clarke took from
ms pocket huge envelope and handed it
70 the judge, who in turn handed it to the
clerk.
The clerk will read the verdict" +" said the
court
Instantly a hush fell over the vast audi
ehce-a hush so profound that as the clerk
Tore open the envelope the sound fell dis
cordantly upon the anxious ears.
THE VERDICT.
A moment later this anxiety became pain
iul IN its intensity as tine sonorous voice of
tne clerk began the reading of the verdict,
which was as follows:
y. We, the jury, find the defendant, John F.
beggs, not guilty We, the iury, find the de-
iendant, John Kunze. guilty of manslaughter
~ s charged in the indictment, and fix his pun
tsonnent t at Imprisonment in the penitentiary
'or a term of three years.
d. we, the jury, find defendants Daniel Coughlin,
nalrlck k O'Sullivan and Martin Burke guilty of |
murder in the manner and fornS as charged in |
@ ,ue Indictment, and fix the penalty at imprson- |
n. ment IN the pententiary for the term of their
natural lives
Mr.. Forrest of the defense at once re- |
guested that the jury be polled, aud this |
,I MdS ordered by the court. To each juror |
1I uig question was put by the clerk of court, |
n !" as this, and is this now, your verdict?n |
NoIemau Clarke was the first man to rise |
o.S quo answer firmly in the affirmative. the !
.o USner men followed in turn, and gave the |
same answer.
TURNED DBATHLY PALE.
a simultaneous with the announcement of |
s sue verdict, Coughlin, O'Sullivan and Burke |
su1 %51ed deathly pale, while Kunze started |
iIouuuenly from his seat, and a moment |
i%user % dropped his head upon his breast and |
'uTst into tears
oeggs face was luminous with joy, and !
b1o.llleolately bo after the polling of the jury, |
90 NV rose from amid the prisoners, walked |
ler losc 10 the jury box, and, during q breath |
~ luii that followed, shook Foreman
maa kes hand heartily and said: "Gentle- |
me- l tnank you. | trust that the future |
thy confirm your judgment upon me, and |
ry o1,;, you Will never regret you found me not |
ssassy OF tnis terrible charge" AS he shook |
6saS 6Suas with the jurors each man bowed his |
W. W. IN acknowledgment of the grateful |
"0'us OF the liberated man.
KUNzE's GRIEF.
va. nne 2, only sound that broke the stiffness |
p lle deep SObs of the little Geruan