Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-11-05
TIE CRONIN TRIAL.
District Officer Spellman in
the Witness Box.
THE PROSECUTION DISAPPOINTED
The Peoria Man Contradicts His
Former Statements-Other
Witnesses.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD,


Edward Spellman. of Peoria, Illinois,
district officer Of Illinois and Michigan.
AS the examination proceeded it became
evident that he was an unwilling witness
and that his testimony was different from
that he gave before the Grand Jury and
from what the prosecution expected. He
said he met Bsggs April ooh, who said
that the matter referred to in their cor
res2ondence, viz: That the proceedings
OF the trial committee had been read in
certain camp in violation of the rules
had been amicably settled. Witness then
said he knew Dan Coughlin, who, with q
man named Kunze, had visited Peoria
a year ago and presented letter of in
production. He had no conversation
with Coughlin about Cronin.
This was in direct contradiction of
Spellman's previous testimony, and he
was asked by Longenecker if he had not
sworn that Coughlin spoke to him about
DIR. Cronin. There was long wrangle
over this question, which was finally
allowed, and Spellman answered.
II said before the Grand Jury that in
conversation with Coughlin in Peoria he
said Cronin was a B. of a b., but
on reflection and on consultation with
two other men present, l sent my attor-
ney to Chicago to notify the District At
torney that l was mistaken. My atto1.
ney was unable to find Judge LongeL-
ecker, and I came myself spe-
Longenecker and other counsel that
oh hat
on the stand / would have to deny it in
order to do justice to my conecience and
the facts. After left the Grand jury
room and went home and slept, felt an
noyed and troubled. l islt / had possi-
bly, done wrong to Coughlin, and l went
Immediately to Patton's and Downs and
told them what had sworn to before
the Grand Jury and that was bothered
about it. They said: 'Spellman, you
have made mistake. No such conver-
sation took place."
Witness said in reply to a question
that he had seen Alexander Sullivan be-
fore going to the States Attorneys office,
but he went there because he had been
informed that Sullivan was talking very
harshly about him and that his visit was
not in connection with the case. The
correspondence between Bsggs and SPELL
man was then read.
During his cross examination Mr..
Spellman was asked if Beggs ever spoke
to him about charges against Cronin in
any case. He replied that a great deal
was said about Cronin, but to place it
upon any one man or st any one period
he could not do at this time.
"Was it not because of his organic a.
ton of other Camps?o
"No," replied Spellman, "because he
was always anxious to prefer charges.
He was an honest mau, not bad fellow
if he could have his own way. If
not -"
Mr.. Hines here objected to any such
statements, as Cronin is dead and could
not respond. Spellman said no charges
were made by Beggs against any indi-
vidual in his official position as Senior
Guardian. The defense moved to ex-
clude from the record all questions and
answers in regard to what was testified
to by Spellman before the Grand jury.
A lengthy debate ensued on this point,
in the course Of which it was stated that
Spellman had subscribed $500 toward the
arrest and conviction of the murderars of
DR.. Cronin, and that he had paid 500 of
this. 1t was intimated that his testi-
mony before the Grand Jury was given
when he was in one frame of mind, and
| that his present attitude was the result of
consultations with friends. The Court
finally said authorities might be brought
in on that point.
At the afternoon session cross-examir.-
alton was resumed and witness was asked
q number OF questions regarding the OBJ
ject OF the visit OF Kunze to Peoria with
CoughliD, and as 10 whether it had any
connection with Cronin. Spellman said
it had not, as far as he knew, though he
had no conversation with Kunze there.
Coughlin's visit had no connection with
Cronin, and reference of counsel led to
the inference that it was in connection,
with fight between a Chicago distillery
and the Wbiskey Trust.
John A. Mahoney, Justice Of the
Peace, testified that he was present in
Cooks hall, at Lake View, in March last
when CroDin instituted a camp of the
Clan'na- Gael. After the meeting Iceman
| O'Sullivan asked witness about Cronin's
standing as a physician, and receiving q
favorable reply arranged for witness to
visit Cronin with him to make an ar
rangement for the latter to care for O'Sul.
livan's men. This arrangement was
made about the middle of April and
O'Sullivan gave Cronin some of his bus;..
ness cards, saying if the doctor was
wanted when he (O'Sullivan) was out of
town or sick. one of these cards would be
presented.
AT the afternoon session Judge Nc.
Connell said he had considered the testi.
mony OF Spellman in the controversy.
| and had decided to exclude it.
Mrs. Addie j. Farrar testified as 10
the conversation between herself and
OSullivan, after Cronin's body WIS
found. She asked O'Sullivan: "Was it
not terrible murder ?'
The iceman hesitated moment, then
said: "They say he was British spy"
Mrs. Farrar asked Well, why should
they kill him ?"
O'sulllivan said: stHe gave away the
secrets of secret order, and if q man
did that he ought to be killed."
Three policemen from the Lake View
district testified to having seen a wagon
occupied by three men, late on the
night of May 4th, and to noticing trunk
or box in the body Of the wagon.
John Way, another policeman, testified
that about O'Clock on the morning of
May 9Th. he saw two men walking east
toward the lake, followed by wagon
driven by another man. Witness ques-
toned the driver, who said they wanted
to go to Chicago and we're looking for z
the lake ghOI drive The otho~ twr ,,,a,n