The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-27


New Witness-In Return They Charge
that She Has Been Trying to Sell Her
Story to Both Sides.
Chicago, December 26.-Curious peo-
pie came by hundreds to Judge Tuthilps
court room this morning to see the new
witness in the Coughlin trial, Mrs. An
drew Foy, and hear the conclusion of her
cross examination by ex-Judge Wing.
Coughlin is on trial on charge of hav-
ing participated in the murder of DIR.
Cronin in May, 1889, aud Mrs. Foy is the
wife of a man who was in league with
the murderers. Ex-Judge Wing took
up the examination at the point where
Mrs. Foy swore to Martin Burke passing
her house on the night of May 9, while
she, her husband and several other per-
sons were sitting on her front steps. The
defense obtained from the witness the
names and addresses of all the Irishmen
who were sitting on the steps of the Foy
residence that night One of them.
Michael O'Connor, the witness said, is a
member of the police force of this city.
The defense intends to make witnesses
out OF any of these men who will swear
contrary to Mrs. Foy's testimony.
Attorney Wing asked the witness what
promises had been made to her by the
prosecution for testifying in this case.
Mrs. Foy replied II swear before
God and man they have promised me
nothing, if I drop dead this minute.''
The witness admitted that she sent her
regards to the defendant in Jail, but said
she was fool to do it; she did not mean
it.. She admitted receiving money and
substantial presents of clothing, turkeys
and carpet from Mrs. 7. T. Conklin
since she became acquainted with her
late last year. She explained that she
did not testify at the first trial because
she was sick, although she admitted she
was able to go to church.
Mrs. Foy was shown three letters.
which she acknowledged were written
by her, and at the conclusion of her ex-
animation Attorney Wing put them in
evidence and read them to the jury.
They showed that Mrs. Foy had offered
her story first to the defence, and threat
ened she would tell all to the state if she
was not rewarded. This put the witness
before the jury in the light of disap-
pointed, revengeful woman who had
peddled a murder story for money, i'm
plicating her husband, and told it in
court after four years of silence, The
letters were addressed to w. S. Forrest,
leading counsel for Coughlin, Burke and
O'Sullivan at the first trial. They were
written at the time the appeal for a new
trial was being heard before the Su-
preme Court. She wrote in the first let
ter, II am going to make sworn state
ment. unless l get some reward She
also declared that she knew all about the
murder, and when her husband came
home on the morning of May 5th, he
said, in answer to her question: 81 have
been helping to- remove a soul into eter-
nity.''
The second letter to Mr.. Forrest was
more menacing, and aimed at Coughlin.
She wrote, Il am going to have chance
now or know the reason why. Tell Dan
I knw all about his visits to my home. I
knew all about the murder on the morn
ing of May 9th. My husband told me.
Tell Coughlin for me that I have also
suffered and l must have my reward.
They have my curse. Now, remember
am going to the states attorney
The third letter was unsigned and
Mrs. Foy and Forrest. The lawyers an
swers were sent through a daily paper.
On redirect examination, Mrs. Foy
swore that when she visited Forrest at
his office, Attorney Wing was called in.
She denied that she ever asked for
money. She appealed to Mr.. Wing to ad-
NIT that he said to her: "We did not get
much money ourselves"
Mrs. Foy directed her testimony at the
senior lawyer for Coughlin, and placed
him in most peculiar position. Attor-
ney Bottum wanted Mr.. Wing to take the
stand at the proper time. Mrs. Foy was
anxious to make the jury believe she
was actuated by love for her husband in
wanting to make deal with the state
or the defence and that his reformation
was her only desire in life. She swore
she told Forrest and Wing "very near
almost the same story" she did in court,
when she visited Forests office.
THAT is not true," exclaimed Attorney
Wing.
"Do you expect to get divorce, Mrs.
Foy?" asked Mr.. Wing.
"We Catholics never get divorced" she
an swered.
"You want to accuse him of murder
and get rid of him that way?n
1t is an outrageous accusation"
shouted Attorney Bottum."
That is all, Mrs. Foy,n rejoined Attor-
ney Wing, and the witness left the stand.
During the examination of the witness
outbreaks among the lawyers were
numerous and recriminations were in
dulged in and bitterly resented.