Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-17

 FROH ALL QUARTERS. LIFE IMPRISONMENT For CoughIin, Burke and
 O'SuIIivan.
 erw s KUNzE GETS THREE YEARS And Beggs is Pronounced
 Not Guilty. A FATAL LEGENDARY FIRE. Decisions of the Supreme Court of Errors.

Decisions of the Supreme
 Court of Errors.
 THE VERDICT PRONOUNCED. Hesxs a Free man-Kunxe Guilty of ManslauRhIer, Gets Three years ia PenitentIary-Cough OsSullivan and Burke Guilty, Will spend the Rest ofTheir Lives in Prison-Aew the Prisoners Received the An nounsment Of she verdict-The Lit- tie German Walls While Dexgs 1s Happy.
 CHICAGO, Dec. 16.-One of tho most mem~ orable trials in the criminal history of Amer lea closed this aftrenoon when the jury, impanelled three months ago, rendered its verdict in the Cronin case. That the return of this jury is verdict and not disagree ment is the source of much congratulation in the public mind although there is natur- ally. much division of sentiment on the ques- tion of approval of the verdict.
 The court convened at 9 P. II. to-day to re- ceive the verdict of the jury and there was momentary silence as the vast audience breathless awaited the drst words of Judge Mcconnell as he mounted the rostrum.
 "The jury is prepared to make return in this oase," said his honor: "Bnt observe that MT. Donahue, counsel for O'Sultvan and Kunzs, Is absent"
 "I have been requested to represent MT. Donahue," said Mir. Forrest. "He is out of the city to-day"
 THE PRISONERS ENTER.
 A moment later the door leading from the jail opened with clang, and the five de- fendants marched iu to receive the announce ment of their fate. John F. Beggs led the procession. The face of the senior guardian of Camp Mo- 20 was pale with anxiety, but boldly faced the stare of the audience. Dan Coughlin affected his usual indifference, but his restless furtive glances betokened his ter rible mental suspense. The piercing black eyes of Patrick O'Sullivan sought the floor and whatever emotion he felt at this critical moment was invisible save in the palor that overspread his features.
 Martin Burke flushed as he approached his seat, but a moment later his features re- gained their natural appearance, and with affected nonchalsnes he resumed his gum- chewing, The elated air of John Kunze was absent and for the first time since his arrest the little German now seemed to fully ap- preciate the gravity of his position,
 THE JURY COMES IN.
 The noise of footsteps was again heard without and moment later the twelve jury men entered the room headed by Foreman Clarke. Every prisoner simultaneously turned his eyes upon the jurors as if to read in their impassive features the secret Of their verdict.
 ssThe clerk will call the roll of the jurors, J said tho judge.
 Slowly the jurors answered to their
 "Gentlemen," said the court, 'I under stand you have reached conclusion in this case"
 his pocket a huge envelope and handed 1t to the fudge, who in turn gave it to the clerk.
 "The clerk will read the vsrdict," said the court.
 Instantly hush fell over tho vast audience, to be broken a moment later by tho voice of the clerk reading the verdict.
 THE VERDICT.
 The verdict of the jury is ss follows: "We, the jury. find the defendant, John E. BegRs, not guilty.
 "We. the jury, find the defendant, John Kunze, guilty of manslauRhter as charged ir the indictment, and fix his punishment al imprisonment in the penitentiary for term of three years.
 "Ws, the jury, find the defendants, Oar Couohlin, Patrick O'Sullivan and Martin Burke, guilty of murder in the manner ane form charged In the indictment, and fix thu penalty at imprisonment in the penitentiary for the term of their natural lives" HOW THE PRISONERS TooKr. Simultaneously with announcement of thu verdict Coughlan, O'Sullivan and Burk' turned deadly pale while Kunzs started sud denly from his seat and moment late dropped his head upon his breast and burs into tears. Beggs was luminous with jo, and Immediately after the polling of tn, jury he rose from amid the prisoners, walket tas' ths breathless full that followed shook Foreman Clarke's hand hear tily and said: Gentlemen: thank you. I trust that the future may con firm your judgment upon me, and you vii never regret you found mo not guilty of thi horrible charge" As he shook hands witl the jurors each man braced up in his sea and cast long glance around the eour | room. The only evidence of terror to b perceived in Coughlin was the increased pal Tor that overspread his face. He bowed hi head in acknowledgement of the gratsfr words of the liberated man.
 THE LITTLE GERMANS VAIL.
 The only sound that broke the stillnel was the deep sobs of the little German Kunz He burst out with:
 'T am innocent God knows I am inn' centa God knows that never was out Laksview that night. Longsneoksr bougl two witnesses, I am sure on that. They wei out and bought farms with the money tn, got. Him and Schuettler did it."
 O'Sullivan was the only one of the oth three prisoners who found refuge in tears.
 Martin Burke was unqusstionably the lee affected of all the prisoners. His usual flor a face took on slight pallor q the verdict V
 announced, but . moment later his jaws h gan the methodical mastication of gum
 regularly as at any previous time during u |s trial.
 A little before four o'clock the Associat
 Press representative visited the jail a !, found the four convicted defendants out
 the corridor, with the other inmates taki q the usual exercise before supper. Cough q and O'Sullivan were together while Bur .. was alone on the other side of the corride B. The little German seemed to hold hims
 apart from the other prisoners and remain
 in his cell, still refusing to be eomforted his mifortune. His conf dent flip demear us had given way to heavy gloom as he
 moaned his fate and denounced the Stat
 attorney and jury. Coughlin and O'Sulliv . were at the entrance of the cage discussi
 the case with couple of members of cal
 No. 20. A note was subsequently sent ., Coughlan and his companion requesting
 interview, and they finally approached
 cage. sI am sorry to disappsint you," 2 ,at MT. Coughlin courteously, "but do not
 sire to be interviewed"
 "What is your opinion of the verdictf'
 'I am afraid shall have to refer you = Hr. Forrest, my attorney, for an answer of that question"
 lon "Are you disappointed at the verdiota" .m. "Well, I suppose no man oonceives c x, x, verdict of life imprisonment with any r ct. ticular enthusiasm" ]" said the ex.detec :ee. grimly; "but really, gentlemen, I must lEE; cline to be interviewed. ana sorry can H oblige you, but I think 1t improper tn should discuss with anyone but my law. ? the details of my case or of my opinion the verdict.n
 by With this sentence Coush1in retired pl
 antly lowing good evening as he went.
 It was evident to all the prisoner was
 mood very nearly approaching elation an
 CouQhIin at laast the verdict Was eOurc