Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-03
"THAT CRON|N MATTERP'
A Remark Whereby Seems
to Hang a Tale.
Convict COleman's Incriminat-
ing Conversation.
He Practically Confesses Completely
in the CrOnin Murder.
His Description TaIlles with That of
Cooney the Fox-Was He the
Driver of the White
Horse?
By the Associated Press. ]

By the Associated Press
SALEM, Ore, Oct. 2.-Tbe dispatch
last night, from Chicago, which stated
that Thomas Coleman, who is now con-
fined in the penitentiary here is sup
posed to have been connected with the
murder Of DR.. Cronin, was news to the
prison officials, who state that they have
had no communication with the Chicago
officials about the matter. They claim
to have heard rumor that Coleman
was connected with the crime, but put
no faith in the story. Coleman was sent
here from Portland, in March, 1891, to
serve two-years' term for the crime of
assault with dangerous weapon. He
had been q trusty up to two months ago,
when bench warrant for his arrest
came from Portland, where he is wanted
to answer the charge Of robbery and as.
sault. Coleman is smooth, and has the
appearance of being an all-around crook.
When he heard of the dispatch, this
morning, connecting him with DIR. Cro-
nin's murder he said he would have no
trouble in clearing himself OF the charge.
He formerly lived in Chicago, where be
has brother and three sisters living.
/ He said in the past five years he has
been in Oklahoma, Puget Sound and
San Francisco. He seemed nervous
when speaking about Chicago. and
when he was permitted to read the
Chicago dispatch his hand quivered and
tears came to his eyes. Two months
ago when Coleman had his trustyship
taken away, he aeked the reason, and
eaid he presumed it was on account Of
that Cronin matter" At that time he
said nothing further about the crime,
but has since told the convicts that he
could easily prove an alibi. Coleman
says he has never gone by the name of
Geoghe9an, but said he was formerly
known by the name Of Carston. He
states that he was married during the
excitement over Cronin's murder.
Coleman, alias Carlson, is 40 years
old, and of medium height; he has 8
heavy head OF soft, dark; hair, tiDgad
with gray, and full sandy beard and
mustaehe his eyes are blue and far
apart; his forehead is broad.
The two-years' term he ID serving for
the crime OF assault. expires soon, but
the prison officials have warrant for
his arrest for the crime of robbery at
Portland. His prison friends, while
they were "trusties" together, say
Coleman's description pretty nearly
tal)ies with ''Cooney. the Fox" who
drove the white horse and took Cronin
to the Carlson Cottage, where the muir
der was committed. Coleman says
he knew Dan Coughlin. the
detective, who was sentenced to
prison at Joliet for life, for the murder
of Cronln. 1t will be rememb bered that
it was Coughlin who ordered the vehicle
for his friend, and it was this vehicle
that carried Cronin to the cottage.
The prison officials say they know
nothing of Coleman's connection with
the Cronin case, and say they have no
warrant for his arrest from Chicago.
They are inclined to believe there is
nothing in the story. Two months ago,
when Coleman was lock ed up, he asked
for the reason, and remarked it was
probably on account of that Cronin
matter, but the prison officials thought
nothing of it and made no investigation.
Coleman denies ever having said he
was arrested in Oklahoma for the MUIR
der of Cronjn, but says he had been in
Oklahoma. He was arrested the very
day he arrived in Portland.
He was sentenced for two years for the
crime of assault with q deadly weapon.
committed upon a policeman, at the
Union depot. He is known to the Off
GERS as pickpocket and general smooth,
all-around crook. He says he knows
nothing about the Cronin murder, but
admits making the remark that he
s'guessed it was OH account of that
Cronin matter" when the penitentiary
guards locked him up. He says he made
that remark because he did not know
what else to say, and he had to account
for it in some way. He is a cigar
maker by trade, and says he used to-
work in the Chicago Times press room
in the days Of Story. He says he never
went under the name of Geohegan, and
intimates that Thomas Carlson is his
real name.
The Associated Press reporter asked
him. Were you in Chicago when
Cronin was murdered ?''
Coleman replied: "You ask pretty
direct questions"
He evaded the answer. finally saying
he lived at Chicago with his wife, but
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