The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-19

FROM THE
PERSON
Thomas Cronan Tried on In
dIctmsnt Charging Him With
Completely in Robbery.

The case OF Thomas Cronan, who Is un-
der indictment for larceny from the per-
son, was on trial before Judge wilbur
and a jury this morning
The man was indicted Jointly with Ed
ward Bebeau who has pleaded nolo con-
tendere TO the charge and has been SEN
fenced.
Attorney General Stearnes stated that
the state was TO show that Cronan with
the other man Bebeau had been with Mi
chael Nancy n horse dealer, IN a saloon
on North Main street where he had one
drink. After that the horse trader re-
membered nothing else til he found him
self on the street minus his roll of mon
ey.
The first witness for the state was MI
chael Nancy, who said he was a dealer in
horses and often engaged in peddling
ventures in Massachusetts,. He told Of
taking a few drinks the night OF Dec. B.
1902, stating that when he started In he
had over $500, proceeds Of various sales or
horses or wagons during the past few
weeks
He kept II he said. I'm his inside vest
pocket and to illustrate he reached down
and pulled up "A big wad OF greenbacks.
IN response To questioning he stated he
sometimes carried a thousand dollars
with him and did not bank his money.
He said on the morning OF the Attn or
December he awoke TO find himself In an
attic room in Cronan's house, moneyless.
lie later went down stairs and Mrs. Cron-
an, wife Of the defendant handed MIN
roll OF bills, with the information IT III
hadn't been for Cronan he wouldn't have
had any.
Feeling relieved TO get back his money
and without counting IL he distributed Il
couple OF dollars To each of several per.
sons sitting around and took Cronan ana
Bebeau out To saloon he called the
"DutCIhman's on North Main street ana
had a drink. lie remembered no more
till he was in the Central station. lie
told OF hearing Bebeau saying,
wouldn't have done II II | hadn't been
drank and of Mr.. Cronan's offer TO re-
fund "his share"
When Cr0ss- examined by Dennis n.
Sheahan. counsel for the defendant. Mr.
Nancy was unable 10 account for all or
the $500 he said he had and denied having
taken more than one drink of whiskey In
his knowledge
Henry Bebeau told Of being with Nancy.
Cronan. tall barber called French Pete
and fourth man In several saloons. All
had good many drinks, and II was
pretty drunk" he said We went into
the Chinese restaurant and had something
to eat. We had a pint sent In and We
drank II. AS we were coming out French
Pete got Mike (meanng Nancy by one
arm and Cronan by the other and they
pulled his vest open and said. 'Now's $
your chance. take the money. ! wae
very full and took his roll. We left Ma
ney then; he didn't know anything, and
they hustled me into my room al Cronan's
house. where they made me divide. There
was s1GO and we had $40 apiece"
The attorney general asked N Cronar
took any, and Bebeau said: HE got $40
like the rest OF us. / was very drunk
and they left me alone In the room, and
was arrested about II o'clock that night.
The defendant, Thomas Cronan, was
rut on the stand TO testify I'm his own
behalf and he denied being a party "a
the theft, and said Bebeau did IL, as he
had the beat chance.
Tie case Is still pending. Dennis Shee.
han and Charles r. Mullhearn are the at
torneys for the defendant