The record-union., 1894-03-09
COUGHLIN A FREE MAN.
THE EX-DETECTIVE ACQUITTED
OF THE MURDER OF CRONIN.
Wild Scenes in the Courtroom When
the Verdict OF the Jury
was Announced.
to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
CHICAGO, March S.-An eager throng
crowded into Judge TuthilPs court this
morning to witness the closing scenes in
the second trial of ex-Detective Daniel
Coughlin for completely in the assassina-
ton of DR.. Patrick Henry Cronin.
The pleas to the jury were concluded
last night, and as soon as court opened
this morning the Judge began reading his
charge. 1t was a very long document.
The instructions were mostly of general
nature. very few of the specific instruc-
tions asked by counsel being given.
The charge dealt with instructions as to
the form Of the verdict. It's reading oc-
cupied nearly an hour. At its conclusion
sworn and given charge of the jury, which
retired.
Judge Tuthill then ordered the court
room cleared, and the reluctant specta-
tors were hustled out by the police.
Coughlin maintained his composure
throughout the reading of the charge, and
after the jury had retired moved over to
where his wife and two children sat, and
spent the time awaiting the return of the
Jury in amusing the little ones and COM
forting and reassuring their distressed
mother.
1t was 4:3O when the jury filed into the
courtroom. AS they appeared Coughlin
turned deadly pale, and then with ap
parent effort Strengthened up in his seat.
HAS the jury reached yerdict?"
asked the court.
I'VE have" responded the foreman.
The verdict was read by the clerk:
"We, the jury, find the defendant, Daniel
Coughlin, not guilty"
A great shout went up in the court
ROOM Hats were thrown in the air.
handkerchiefs waved, cheer after cheer
broke upon the courtroom, and mad
rush was made for the door by those
anxious to tell the news to the crowd
without.
Judge Tuthill, his face aflame with in
dignation at the breach of court etiquette,
demanded silence. and the Bailiffs Wig
orously pounded for order, but 1t took
considerable time for the enthusiasm of
the crowd to subslde.
The face of the big ex-detective, ashen
white q moment before, flushed scarlet to
the roots of his hair as the wave of Joy
swept over him when the words that
freed him were pronounced. Then it was
q push that almost swept the happy man
Oft his feet. Newspaper men, old friends
of his before his troubles, were on him in
body and nearly wrung his hand off.
Its all right, boys; all right" gasped
COuQDIlQ, as ne T6dCQ0U lOT LDTeS OF lOur
hands at once Its all right, boys; |
won't forget you; you treated me all
right"
Then the prisoner worked his way up
to the iury-box, shook hands with as
many as he could reach, and then started
TO leave the room.
Just then cry of 'Make way there;
open passage; make way" was heard,
and two stalwart Bailiffs pushed through
the crowd, and close behind them, her
hat awry, her veil half up, gasping with
sobs that choked her. came Mrs. Cough
lin. Dan was striding 20 liberty as though
he wore seven-league boots.
Dan, come back; here's your wife"
called fifty voices, and Coughl1n promptly
retraced his steps, and met his wife. The
woman gave an incoherent cry, her arms
crept up, fastened themselves around her
husbands neck, then gave way utterly.
She only said, Dan, oh Dan." but no.
where, even in Dan Coughlin's heart,
was there such joy as in the bosom OF the
little woman who, clasped tight against
her husbands heart, felt him hers again.
Coughlin bent his big blonde head until
his mustache swept her cheek, then the
two rocked to and fro until the woman
was able to stifie her emotion. Then she
was led away.
Dan Coughlin, the defendant, is an ex-
city detective, and was charged with COM
plicity in the murder of DR.. p. I'll. Gro
min, prominent Irish physician. The
murder WAS the result OF fact1onal
quarrel in the Clan-na-G2el order.