The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-17
BEGGS TRIES A NEW MOVE
ANOTHER TRIAL FOR HIS LIBERTY.
He Claims That He Was Arrested and
Jailed in the Hope That He would
Turn States Evidence in the Cronin
Case, Which He Can Not Do.

CHICAGO. July ia somewhat sensational
move was made in the Cronin case to-day.
John +. Beggs the imprisoned senior guardian
of camp No. 20. Clan-na-Gael, filed new petit
ton for writ Of habeas corpus, giving as a
reason why he should be set at liberty that he
has been jailed and indicted solely in the hope
that he would thus be forced to turn states
evidence. The testimony expected of him, he
says, has no foundation in fact.
Beggs, in his petition, further says that while
he was illegally imprisoned and secreted from
his friends, Immediately preceding his indct-
ment, he was taken before the states attorney
who tried to induce him to make certain state
ments, the facts so desired not being within the
knowledge of Beggs, and that in conversation,
the states attorney said in substance,
"By the newspapers you are already
condemned; the only way, or best way,
out of it for you is to stand with III"
meaning thereby to stand with the prosecution,
and further stating in the conversation: ''If
you will accept employment from us we will
pay you for it," To which Beggs replied in
substance: "If you mean by standing with
you that shall give you testimony by which
any persons or person might be convicted of
the murder of DIR. Cronin, / cannot accept
your employment, for the reason that have no
facts which would tend to convict or even cast
suspicion upon any person of causing the death
of Cronin."
"Soon after the conversation with the state
attorney the indictment against me was re-
turned" says the petition, and adds: There
has been persistent and determined effort on
the part of the police officers and the state
attorneys Office to compel this relator to di-
vulge certain alleged facts stated in an
anonymous letter tot he states attorney, tending
20 show that some action was taken in camp
No. 20, which resulted in the death of Cronin,
which alleged facts this relator has failed to
give, for the reason that the same do not exist"
Beggs takes up in detail the statements in
the anonymous letter as follows: Your peti-
toner most solemnly and sincerely athrms that
there is not now, nor has there ever been, what
is known and designated as an inner
circle of the Clan-na-Gael society," and
that there is not now, nor has there ever
| been, an inner circle secret circle, sec
ond circle, or any subdivision of said camp No.
20 of said society. nor was a committee ever
appointed by said camp to try any charge
against DIR. Cronin, to the knowledge of
/ this relatOr and certainly not during
the time in which this relator acted as senior
| guardian thereof which was for q long time
prior to the 4th of May, 1850; and this relator
says that il is not true, as stated in the anony-
/ nous letter, that he appointed a committee OF
/ seven, consisting OF L. +. Buckley, Harry Jor-
/ dan, Dennis O'Conuor, John OMalley, John
| +. O'Malley, Thomas Murphy and Daniel
| Coughlln, or any other persons, for the purpose
| of trying any charges preferred against Cronin
or any person; that it is not true that said COM
mittee, or any other committee, ever investi
gated, TO the knowledge of this relator,
any charge preferred against said Cronin in
camp No. 20 at any time whatsoever and that
such facts could not have existed for a Ions
! time prior TO Nav 4 without this relator'
| knowledge. Wherefore this relator states that
all of the material facts in the anonymous com
munication which, as he believes was used as
the sole pretext for his Indictment, are untrue
in fact and can never be sustained by any proo
whatsoever"
The states attorney having stated that he die
4 not desire at the present time to make public
the case, Beggs offers TO have the hearing take
place in private. Judge Horton agreed to heal
| arguments on the petition tomorrow.