The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-12
BRENNAN'S EXPOSURE
How the London Times Got
Witnesses.
OFFERS or LARGE REWARD.
story OF the Visit Of . London Agent
and the sort % Testimony that
Was Asked Fer.

kfsnes nve-c0i ufnu SpecaA1 ITozA 0KnA<1a
purporting 70 be an interview with Thomas
Brennan. who was first secretary Of the
Land League in ireland and one OF the
few men ia the United States who knows
thoroughly and enjoys the confidence OF all
the leaders in the league movement IN Ire
land. Brennan furnishes the history OF
the case. which shows how the London
7Ssaes was trying 80 manufacture z. j.
Sheridan into witness against Parnea
before the London, commission. lie also
explains the cable message sent TO himself
and Alexander sullivan on May 8. 1ss9.
from Michael Davitt at Paris, and which
Or. McCahey attempted 70 giye significance
in connection with the disappearance Of
DR.. Cronin.
.on the day mentioned, +" he said, 81
received cablegrarn from Paris, unsigned,
but which believed was from DavItt. in
forming me that some person on this side
had offered 20 go to London and give
evidence on behalf of the Times, in the
Parnell commission, and that money had
been sent by the Times people to Chicago
and Puebia, Col. and asking me 30 consult
Patrick Egan ON the subject. On May
Egan came 10 my office in Omaha, where
We had long consultation as to who the
person was who was going 10 turn traitor.
On May Sand the Chicago and Omaha
papers contained articles announcing the
disappearance of Gronin. We at once eus-
pected him and and sent men to New York
TO watch the vessel, which sailed on the
18th, but which amounted 10 nothing.
Soon after this message came from Dayitt,
who said Sheridan was the man the TSaes
expected 60 get We then felt at ease, as
we had perfect confluence in Sheridan and
knew nothing could Tempt him 10 go over.
Now for Sheridan's part OF the story,
which / declare IS true. On October 10,
1855 a man came TO my ranch in Rio
Grande county, Colorado, and introduced
himself as agent OF the London 7THses. He
said he had been sent over by Joseph
coames, attorney for the Times, 10 see II
would come TO London and testify on be-
half of that newspaper before the Parnell
commission, ard that be was prepared TO
offer me any amount of money for my SER
vices and guarantee me absolute protection
while in England This man gave his
name as J. +. Kirby. and after some fur
ther conversation / was requested by him
10 name my price viii the Times give me
10000 to do this thing?' / asked. Kirby
replied;
YES; provided your evidence is satisfac-
tory you will be paid that amount one hour
after your examinati on closes
What will you consider satisfactory
evidence q inquired.
The Times people want evidence 10 the
effect that Parnell was a party to the
Phoenix park murders, ifnot the instigator
thereof, ana your evidence to that effect
will be satisfactory to my friends and secure
for you the fortune you name and the full
est protection of the government
".Is the government aiding the Times in
degraying theexpenses Of the commission,
inquired.
Mot as a government but as individuals
/ presume they are, he replied.
What guaranty viii | have that your
people viii pay the money in the event of
my evidence proving satisfactory 2 asked.
Before You leave this country he
answered. Joseph soames win cable draft
to any bank that We may agree upon in
New York or Chicago in favor of your wife
or whoever else yon may name, the same
to be paid over as soon as your examin-
alton closes. provided it is deemed satisfac-
tory
''swell guess don't care for a voyage
anyhow. said. Gould I not give my evil
denee before a subcommittee in this coun-
try2'
"'Yes. but you cannot hope for the pro.
lection here you would get in London, he
replied.
I'VE then debated at some length the
t question of giving evidence before sub
commission in this country, and / ulti-
mately lead him To believe that I would
/ give evidence before a sub-commission. and
as such evidence would make il Impossible
! for me 70 live in my present home. a pro-
/ vision was to be made for my wife and
/ family by an advance Of $4,000 10 my
/ wife by mortgage on nay property IN
/ Colorado before the sub-eommisSion sat
[ then suggested the adsisahi.isy OF my be-
( ing posted on what evidence OF importance
was to be given hy other witnesses. in
+ ordsr thst mine should be corrobor&tive,
or at isast non-contradictoFg.
"ln reply he said that a series OF cues
7 tons and the answers required 10 them
would be prepared by hinisas soon as be got
F hack 20 London, after which he was TO re-
/ tarn here aud perfect his arrangements
/ with me. The original Of the statement,
with eli letters and kilograms, we're for
waried 10 Davitt June 3. lSss"
Brannan concluded BY saving that SheFi
daE kept Kirby waiting for him until 50
late date As the last ten DAYS of Sir
Henry James speech. which was pgo.
longed in the hope that Kirby would be
able to keep bis promise and deliver sheF-
idan az the last moment as a witness for
the TFsaxx