The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-26
THE FIL'BUSrER TRIAL.
Captain ii adsOn L nder Cross sExamination N.
Witness Cronin Admits Weekly Pay
ments While Awaiting the Trial.

Baltimore, March 2i.-For two hours
this morning Captain Hudson. Of the
alleged filbustering steamer Woodal.
underwent q searching cross-examina-
ton by counsel in the case OF Dr.
Joseph ]. Luis, who is on trial In the
United States district court on the
charge Of conspiracy and sending a
military expedition against n friend
ly power. Counsel attempted in every
possible way To trap the captain into
an admission that the Spanish govern
ment was paying him for his testi-
mony. He admitted that he had been
engaged i'm filibustering in 1880. Hie
sympathies, he said, were with Cuba.
and when reproached by General John
son in bantering tone for trying 10
imprison "a Cuban patriot Uolofr be
in meant, the captain declared that
Roloff had treated him shabby. He
said had he known that Roloff was to
go with him on the Woodall he would
have thrown over the whole matter.
Michael V. O'Neill, OF Baltimore.
dealer in nautical instruments gave
John Cronin, a fireman on the Wood
all, testified that ne shipped to Yucca
tan for three months. He understood
by his contract that the vessel was
to be used to run up the small rivers
to fetch fruit to seaports. His first in
timation that all was not right was
when outside the capes, the vessel ran
without lights. When the soldiers
came abroad at Egg Harbor, Cronin
and the other members Of the crew
registered a complaint. We did not
seek the honor OF being called heroes
at the risk OF our necks." ne said. The
captain evidently feared trouble with
his crew, for when the water ran short
he manned a boat with tubans TO go
to a small island to procure a supply.
When at Progresso. the malcontents
tried to reach the United States CON
sui, but failed. At New Orleans, the
United States commissioner was sought
out. They had been badly treated and
wanted their money and discharge
The money was paid the crew after a
day or two.
Under cross-examination Cronin ad-
mitted that for the past eight weeks
he had been paid $40 weekly by a Mr..
Douglass. He professed ignorance as
to where the money came from, and
could not swear that the Spanish gov
ernment did or did not furnish IT,
John Lockney, fireman, told practi-
cally the same story as Cronin. Ed
ward Galley. whom he understood was
superintendent OF a Pinkerton agency.
had paid him SO weekly for the past
eight weeks, 80 that / would he on
hand when the trial came up"
John Erickson, seaman, said he and
five other members Of the crew had
been paid $50 each by Roloff after the
soldiers came aboard. The crew had
become dissatisfied and did not much
, relish the chance OF being overhauled
by a Spanish warship.
Captain Hudson was recalled. He
was asked by the prosecution about q
letter written in March 1895 by DR.
Luis to John l.. Smith. Hudson re-
membered the letter, and a legal bat
tie arose as to the admissibility OF his
recollection Of its contents.
Counsel for Luis pointed out that
great evil might arise should witness
make the slightest mistake. The letter
should be produced or the whole mat
ter thrown out. Judge Morris over
ruled the objection and Captain Hud-
son said, to the best of his recollection
the letter, which was very brief, was
az follows: do you know IL Captain
Hudson is in town? II he is, find out
: IL he Will take another party and let
me know"
AT this point adjournment was taken
till morning. 1t is expected that the
case will be concluded tomorrow.