The Crime of the Century; Or, The Assassination of Dr. Patrick Henry CroninHunt, Henry M.
History
The Crime of the Century; Or, The Assassination of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin
Hunt, Henry M.
Cronin, Patrick Henry, 1846-1889; Trials (Assassination) -- Illinois -- Chicago
"He had been engaged with Coughlin for months. Mertes swears that
he saw him drive their horse with a white face up to the cottage
the night of the murder, and you will remember that he picked him
out from a number of men. Mertes is a countryman of Kunze's, and
he would not be likely to testify against his own countryman unless
truth compelled him to do so. He tells you that Kunze drove a horse
and buggy up to that Carlson cottage at 8:30 o'clock on the night
of the murder, and, more than that, it is in evidence that Kunze
was perfectly at home in the rooms at 117 Clark street, and was
seen by a very intelligent witness sitting in front of the window
washing his feet. Now, what was he doing at 117 South Clark street,
if he was not engaged in that conspiracy? The men who engaged that
flat at 117 Clark street, those conspirators, were not going to
trust their lives to men they did not know; and the truth is that
he was the tool of Coughlin. More than that, it is in evidence that
he said he expected to be arrested on the Cronin business. Why?
Why? I repeat."
"Because I was told so," suddenly cried Kunze, springing to his
feet.
"This man is defended by able lawyers," retorted Mr. Ingham, "and
on their heads is the responsibility of his defense."
"God knows I am innocent of the murder of Dr. Cronin," cried Kunze,
again springing to his feet, and there was a scene of excitement
for a few minutes. Finally his counsel forced him to his seat, and
induced him to remain quiet.
"Why did he say he expected to be arrested on the Cronin business?
I repeat," continued Mr. Ingham. "It was because he felt he was
connected with that business. Coughlin knew him, Coughlin had
worked with him, and Coughlin knew that in this case their lives
were safe in his hands. It is in evidence that shortly after the
murder he was with Patrick O'Sullivan drinking, and you will
remember a conversation which was detailed by a saloon-keeper, and
which occurred shortly before the murder, wherein Patrick
O'Sullivan made a bargain to sell to Kunze the bay horse with a
white face. Why was that horse sold to Kunze, this little painter
who was working around the country, this man who was in the employ
of the detective and trusted by Coughlin? Will you, gentlemen of
the jury, tell me why O'Sullivan, who lived at the rear of the
Carlson cottage, and whose stable almost abutted on the cottage,
was selling this poor painter a horse?"
WHOM THE EVIDENCE POINTS TO.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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