The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-04-13
CONNECTED WITH THE cRoNlN CASE
John Graham. Alleged Jury rixer. Found
After Many Years.


Chicago. April 9.-John Graham, who
became famous some years ago in con-
nection with the alleged attempt to FIX"
the Cronin jury. and who after his indict-
ment left the city and forfeited his bail.
has been discovered in Salt Lake City by
"A reporter Tor the Daily News of this
city
About five years ago Graham, AL Hanks,
Bailiff Solomon and l.. l. Smith were in
dicted for conspiracy. Shortly after,
Hanks, Solomon and Smith "squealed."
Graham left the city in haste and has
been away ever since. Mean time the pris-
oners charged with the Cronin murder
we're convicted. Subsequently the SUI
preme court Of the state reversed the con
viction and granted a new trial for error
in the admission of evidence. Bourke and
OSullivan died in the penitentiary before
the decision was handed down, but Cough
lin ayaled himself of a new trial and was
acquitted. The principal witness against
Graham was Smith, who about two years
ago became the chief instrument in the
manufacture of wholesale perjury by
means of which fire insurance companies
were swindled. On the 4th of the present
month a representative of the Daily News
met John Graham in Salt Lake, but the
former so well known Chicagoan was so
changed by sickness and trouble that at
first sight the reporter was unable to rec
ognize him. The News man inquired of
Graham where he had been and what he
had to say. Graham ran his fingers
through his gray hair and replied that he
no longer had reason for concealment, as
hard times had forced him out of his last
job, and his identity was now matter OF
no consequence to him. Graham said that
while ii was true that he had left Chicago
after the indictment, ii was not because
he was guilty. but because he could not
nht a fria in Wis of he fa-
ment over the charges relating to
the Cronin case He declared Smith was
associated with a divorce lawyer, Good
rich for whom Graham. with another
lawyer. was engaged in trying a case;
that Smith talked to him about getting
Judge Mcconnell to put him and a friend
of his on the Cronin jury if paid for ii.
Il told him. said Graham. Il had no
money to pay him, and sustained no rela-
! lions with any one who would pay for
/ such service. After this Smith hunted up
others to deal with in order TO place a man
/ on the jury to sell him to the highest bid
I der and when he was detected he imme-
! diately sought immunity for himself by
accusing others, including myself The
last case in which Smith was indicted for
! perjury shows him to have been the main
man in a scheme TO rob the insurance
companies, yet he was allowed to 'squear
on some more clerks, and obtain his lib
erty at the expense of theirs.
| IL left Chicago for Chihuahua, Mexico,
( where l became afflicted with chills; then
! ] went to Victoria y. c., where l had fe-
! YER This I cannot reconcile with the eli
mate of the two countries. | was in Vic
! toria nearly four years and wrote, kept
accounts and did some manuel labor for a
! living. About nine months ago l went to
San Francisco was taken sick and nearly
died. and when / finally recovered so as
! 10 be able to walk l was a changed man.
My mind is impaired. and my kidneys and
liver are in very bad condition. l had a
friend in Salt Lake city and left for there
three months ago. / am too weak to work
hard, but do a little something now and
then" When reference was made to his
! family Graham's eyes became misty, his
voice indicated feeling and he made nc
reply.
Inquiry has been made in the criminal
court a. to the condition of the indict-
ments against Graham. and IL was learned
that "nole," or order to dismiss. had
been entered about the time the supreme
court discharged Smith from custody. as
is appears that prosecution against one OF
the men indicted for conspiracy would
not be successful The discharge of Smith
was the liberation Of the main witness
and even he. by reason of subsequent
crimes committed by him. would have lit
tie standing in the court in the opinion OF
the attorney identified with the prosecu
ton of the original case.