Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-29
He Gives All the Details Of Cronin's
Murder.
Why THE SEWER WAS CHOSEN.
An Overpowering Sense OF Guilt
Stole Their Wits Away-The
GhastIy Drive by
Night.
WoodruT's story.

with Dr. Cronin's murder 1t seems he was
not directly connected with the murder itself
but simply acted as the driver of the wagon
which disposed of the dead mans body.
Woodruff was taken by Captain Schaak
and his men to the scene of the murder, to
the sewer where the body was found and to
the place where the trunk was first seen. He
gave driving directions to the detectives,
and in every instance located the exact
places
According to his confession he was d.
rectcd by those who had charge of that part
of the conspiracy (and whose names Captain
Schaak reserves for reasons that are palpa-
ble) to go to Dinan's stable where he would
obtain horse aud wagon. He was told to
drive the outfit to the neghborhood
of the Carlson cottage, and also
knew for what purpose he was to
go there He arrived at The college about
twenty minutes before DIR. Cronin was
driven up Three-quarters of an hour after
DIR. Cronin entered the cottage, the man who
is known as Williams opened the front door
of the cottage and signaiied Woodruff, who
at once drove up. Assisted by third man
the trunk was loaded into wagon and
Woodruff was directed to drive eastward to
the lake to a certain point, which Woodruff
has designated to Captain Schaak
been dero sited in the lake had not Interrupt
tion come in the shape of the approach of
policeman. This caused ange OF plans
and immediate steps were taken to get out
of the officers way A clrcuitous route
finally brought them again to the Evanston
road, and as they had been driving nearly an
hour with their CHASTITY load one of the men
suggested the sewer. They stopped at Fif-
ty-ninth street. the top was taken off the
manhoe and the trunk lifted from the
wagon. 1t was impossible to put the trunk
into the manhole. So as the key had been
lost the top was kicked in and
the trunk again placed in the wagon.
They then started for the cottage intending
there to burn the trunk, but on reaching the
spot where the trunk was found they heard
the noise of wagon wheels and throwing the
trunk out Of the wagon drove rapidly in
another direction. At Fullerton avenue
Woodruff's companions bade HIM goodnight
Tho remainder Is devoted to Woodruff's
wanderings in his attempt to sell the horse
and wagon. He also states there is nothing
inthe woman story first told by him. The
names of King and Fairburn were those of
two old friends which occurred to him at
the time of his first story. They had moth
ing whatever to do with the case.
g.. DID SULLIVAN CoNFEsss
The Times this morning printed story
that p. o. Sullivan has made full confes
sion and has given to the police tn names of
ever yone he knew that was implicated in the
murder Of DIR. Cronin.' Sullivan was neatly
trapped. Day after day he has been sub
jected to the questioning OF the officers.
Day after day he lied. But no liar lives
who, questioned by different men, at differ
ent times, can weave woof of falsehood so
strongly as to make it appear to be truths
fabric.
The iceman did not know that on the very
night that Cronin was murdered the police
took possession of the blood stained cottage at
1872 Ashland avenue. But such was the case.
S,,l1 1oot rbpr cIo,
He contrddicted himself frequently Then
they told him their suspicious and gave him
enough truth to show that they knew more
than he thought they did.
Next day Sullivan changed his tune and
more contradictions followed. This lying
continued until yesterday. Then he decided
to tell the truth and by so doing save himself
from the fate that surely awaits the slayers
of DR. Cronin.
AT III o'clock yesterday morning Sullivan
was taken to Captain Wings office, where he
was confron ted by Captain Schaack and
Lieutenant Schuttler He confessed he had
known Dan Coughlin for many years, in
stead OF having made his acquaintance
shortly after the murder. The ceman I'D
mltted that he was n member of the Clan-na-
- Gael In good standing; that he was present
Mt Lincoln hall tre night of March %, when
DR.. Cronin otiicated ut the initiation of sew
eral new members of the order; that
while in the employ of the North Side
street car company Sullivan became nc
guainted with many detectives and police
men, especially those OF the north side; that
Coughlin was an exstreet car employe and
that he (the witness) had worked in the iron
mines in northern Michigan and AT Hancock,
Mich, and had become acquainted with rela-
tives OF Detective Coughlin. Then Sullivan
revealed the whole plot and the names of all
those connected with the great crime.
suLLIvAN's CONFESSION DENIED.
Iceman Sullivan and the police officials
declare that the statement published this
morning to the effect that he had made a
confession laying bare the entire details of
the plot TO murder DIR. Cronin is
false. An afternoon paper processes
TO have information to the effect that
nothing like sweeping confession was Sc
cured from him. An admission,lt is SAID, was
obtained that one Of the men who hired Carl
son's cottage had sought work from him
and had been frequently about his place
that he told this young man OF the terms OF
the contract with Cronin, and that the young
man could have secured one of his cards had
he so desired. IL will be remembered thai
one of Suliyan's cards was used to lure DR.
Cronin from HIS home.
suLLIvAN's GUILT.
Before the grand jury to-day the counec
tion of lceman Sullivan with the CroniI
mystery was made absolute. The man Carl
sen, the owner of the building, testified tina
the man who called himself Frank William:
and rented the cottage went over 10 SCI
Sullivan, the iceman, and talked famiiarl.
with him. AS the 20th OF April approached
and rent day was coming near Carl
son thought 1t strange the tenant di(
not occupy the premises. He stepped over
TO Sullivan, spoke of the tenants queer con
duct aud remarked that he felt somewha
anxious about the rent. Sullivan told hin
Williams was all right and would Pay.
Sullivan in his previous statements 10 tn
police denied knowing Williams.
INpIt TED FOX THE MURDER.
Detective Daniel Coughlln, Patrick O.Sul
lyan the ice man, ana Frank j. Blacl,
alias Woodruff, were indicted by the gram
Jury this evening. for the murder of Dr
Cronn. This result was reached after al
investigation which began at noon and laste
seven hours, during which two dozen wi,
nesses were exaiuincd and mass Of ev
dence' considered The three prisoners wer
Included in one indictment, TO whic
there were three counts, one charging theu
with killing DR. Cronin with blunt lustru
ment, the second alleging the use Of a sharl
instrument and the third, with "instru ment
ana means ulknown.n No evidence was in
troducel TO prove conspiracy, and DIR
Cronln's private papers were not placed be
fore the grand jury.
The witnesses who were called were thos
whose stories have been told in the press
States Attorney Longnooier thought IL a