E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 32533-h.htm or 32533-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/32533/pg32533-images.html) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32533/32533-h.zip) THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY Or, The Assassination of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin. A Complete and Authentic History of the Greatest of Modern Conspiracies. by HENRY M. HUNT, The Noted Journalist. Profusely Illustrated with Original Engravings. Apart from Its Value As a History of a Celebrated Case, the Story Itself Is of Thrilling and Fascinating Interest. [Illustration: _From a Photograph taken just before the Murder._] Copyright 1889, By H. L. & D. H. Kochersperger. PREFACE This volume is not intended as an addition to the criminal literature of the country. It has not been published solely for the pleasure of those who delight in devouring morbid tales of crime and criminals. It rather owes its existence to a general demand from all parts of the United States, from the Canadas, from Great Britain, and from many points on the continent of Europe, for a complete, concise, and accurate story of one of the greatest of modern crimes and the events connected therewith. The reports of the public press, while of the most searching and elaborate character, have nevertheless been of necessity so disjointed, fragmentary and confusing, covering a period of over seven months, each day and week replete with new discoveries and new sensations, as to make it well-nigh impossible for even the most careful reader, with unlimited time at his disposal, to grasp or comprehend anything more than the barest outline of this remarkable case. The object of this volume therefore, is to present in consecutive form and as a complete narrative all the facts which have been brought to light from the day of the disappearance of Dr. Cronin, to the close of the trial of those accused of his murder. Many circumstances have combined to make the task a difficult and laborious one, but the results are submitted in the belief that as the only effort of its kind, it will prove not only a story of thrilling interest to the general reader, but also valuable, by its accuracy and continuity, as an historical work. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER I. A Crime That Shocked the Civilized World--The Mysterious Stranger--A Sudden Summons--The Instincts of Humanity Triumph over Personal Considerations--Last Moments at Home--Parting Words with a Friend--Dr. Cronin's Eventful Life--How He Worked His Way Upward on the Ladder of Honor and Fame, 15 CHAPTER II.