Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-10-03
IS HE CRONTN'S MURDERER.
The Long Sought Geoghegap
Alias Coleman
Believed to be at the Pen-.What
Coleman Says-His Record and
Life-Interviewed by Journal
Reporter This Forenoon.

A dispatch from Chicago intimates
that the murderer of DIR. Cronin is
one Thos. Coleman, now a convict
at the state penitentiary.
THE TELEGRAM.
Chicago, Oct. 3.-According to o
story which appeared in yesterdays
Chicago Tines the long.sought-for
murderer of DIR. Cronin has been
found. He is said to be Thomas
Geoghegan, confined now In the
Oregon penitentiary under the
name of Thomas Coleman. de Is
well-known crook, and was here at
the time of the murderer, but has
not heretofore been suspected OF
completely in it. He is said to have
been the man who actually dealt
the fatal blows. The Chicago police
DENY that they have been looking
for Geoghegan, or that they want
him ou any particular charge, but
dispatches received here tonight
from Portland declare that the pen
itentiary officials admit that an APP
plication has been made to have the
man brought here. One of the at
torneys who assisted In the prose-
cution of the Cronin murderers said
I tonight that it WAS always known
that one of the murderers went totbe
Pacific coast, but all trace OF him
was lost there.
The statement tina. an application
had been made to have the man
brought to Portland Is found by d
Journal reporter to be incorrect. At
least the officials deny all knowledge
of it.
THos. CoLEMAN's RECORD.
shows that he had been placed on
the register on March %, 1891, from
Multnomah county, for committing
an assault with deadly weapon.
He is and has been one of the in
telligent and well-behaved prison.
ers. The foundation of the present
report is based on the disappearance
of criminal character in Chicago
at the time of the murder of DIR.
Cronin, who was known as "Cuney.
the Fox" The question now re-
mains, Is Thomas Coleman "Cuney,
the FDx.?"
1t was also we'll known to the
Chicago police that one of the gang
W ho got away with Cronin came TO
the Pacific coast, and a keen search
has been kept up for him ever since.
While The JOURNAL does not be-
lieve in creating public sentiment
any man accused Of a crime 1t be-
lieves that "murder will out" and
tina tthe Cronin mystery will yet one
day be cleared. If it is Colemen,
the Multnomah courts unwillingly
imprisoned the fonlest assassin who
has breathed since Booth murdered
Lincoln.
WHAT COLEMAN SAYS.
The prisoner was seen and appear
ed badly scared as he entered. He
is a strong, broad shouldered man
with beard, hair turning slightly
gray, but intelligent expression.
II can not say that ] know any
thing about it. Chicago is my
home and / might have made such
an expression to Berry as to ask
about that Cronin affair. Was in
TINA tely acquainted with some of
the detectives and witnesses In the
Cronin case. left there about that
time. Am of Irish descent, born at
Salem Mass. / will go out next No
vember if have no trouble. / should
be a trusty now, as the warrant is
withdrawn and my record is good.
/ shall not go to Chicago voluntar-
lily. They will have to 60 through
all the legal process to get me there.
/ have followed detective business
but not to be known as such.
Have enemies in Chicago who
would go to the furthest to make
me trouble. The Pacific coast Is
good enough for me-"
Coleman does not know what
will be done with him when his
time is out. One thing is certain:
He does not relish going back to
Chicago. Out Of his mild blue eyes,
broad forehead and large head
shines an expression Of fairness and
honesty. But from the heavy low
er part of his face one can see great
determination and capacity for
deeds of daring and violence.
Some of the prison officials think )
he is a dangerous man aud that he
IS the man the Chicago police are
after.
Supt. Downing was seen at his !
desk and said: II am inclined to be-
lieye he Is The man. He is known
to the Portland police as kind Of
assistant detective. His familiarity |
with the haunts OF criminals Ia |
gained by minging with them, and
then giving them away. He admits
this Is his business, and he has all
the appearance OF one who under
stands the criminal classes from
lifetime acquaintance. This Office
has had no information regarding |
the Chicago dispatch, and we have
taken no action. Col eman was
soon after his commitment made a
trusty upon the earnest soliclta tion