Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-01-24
TIMEs-P .ARNELL AGAIN.
REPORTED ATTEMPT TO MANUFAC-
TiflsE TESTIMONY.

TirlsE TESTIMONY.
"A Colorado Man Approximations No
Various Points.
The Donver Ncrs prints an interview
with Thomas Brennan, of Omaha, who
was the first secretary of the Land league
in Ireland, in which Mr.. Brennan tells at
length how agents representing the Lon
don Times endeavored to induce P. j.
Sheridan, of Rio Grande county. Col, to
give testimony adverse to Parnell before
the London commission. The statement
is supported by the sworn affidavit of Sher-
idan, who says man named j. f. Kirby
came to him on October Is. 1888, saying
he had been sent by Joseph Soames, at
torney for the Times, to see if Sheridan
would go to London and testify; that he
was prepared to offer any amount of money
for his services and to guarantee absolute
protection in England. Sheridan led the
man on, aud finally asked if the Times
would give 100000 for it, and Kirby re-
piled in the affirmative, provided his evil
denceiwas satisfactory. The Times people.
he said, wanted evidence to the effect that
Parnell was a party to the Phoenix park
murders, if not the instigator of them.
rs the government aiding the Times in
defraying the expenses" asked Sheridan.
Not as the government, but as individ.
uals. I presume they are, - said Kirby.
Sheridan expressed dislike to going
abroad and asked if he could not give evil
dence before a sub-co mmission in this
country. The matter was debated at length
and Sheridan led Kirby to believe he would
give such evidence. AS this would make
it impossible for him to live in his present
home, provision was to be made for Sheri-
dams wife and family by an advance Of
$4,000 to his wife by mortgage or! prop
erty in Colora 10 before the sub-commis-
sion sat. Kirby then started back to Ion
don and said series of questions and the
answers required to them would be pre-
pared by Soames. Sheridan aud Kirby had
some correspondence, and on April 4, 1889,
the agent returned to Sheridan's ranch and
reopened negotiations. Sheridan told
Kirby that his assassination had been or
dered by the Clan-na Gael, and that it
would be impossible to give evidence be.
fore the sub-commission, but he would go
to London on condition that the Times
would buy his ranch and other property
for 100000, the money to be paid over be-
fore he started for London. Sheridan was
also to be guaranteed the protection of
the English government. After some
hesitation Kirby consented and said he
could speak both for the Times and the
government. Sheridan further hoodwink-
ed and led on Kirby and the latter said he
would Immediately cable the Times the re-
suit OF the interview and request that the
money be forwarded. Sheridan tells fur
Their how Kirby waited some time at Col
orado Springs and Pueblo, but could not
get an answer from the Times. He en-
deavored to get Sheridan to fill out answers
to list of questions which he (Kirty)
brought with him, but Sheridan would not
do this. Finally Kirby went east.
In conclusion Sheridan SAYS he deliber-
ately entered into negotiations with Kirby
for the purpose Of getting all the informa-
ton he could from him and also to sell his
ranch at good figure whom he found Kir-
by ready to buy it. Sheridan kept Kirby
waiting on his decision until as late as the
last ten days session of the commission.
Brennan also explains the cable messages
sent SO himself and Alexander Sullivan on
May G, 1889, by Michael Davitt from Paris.
and which were given at the time Of their
publication here significance in connection
with the disappearance of DR.. Cronin.
Brennan explains that the leaders Oh the
other side had learned of the attempt of the
Times people to bring a witness from this
side, and that he was to sal, soon, and
DaNltt wired Brennan and Sullivan that
money had been sent by the Times people
TO Chicago and Pueblo and asking them to
consult Patrick Egan on the subject. Soon
after another message came from Davitt
announcing that Sheridan was the man
and Brennan says they then felt at ease as
they knew Sheridan and were confident of
his integrity. This is the explanation of
the mysterious kilograms.
Tramp or No Tramp lie Wins.
John Olson got a verdict for $50, 900