"There were four verdicts. There were no majority or minority reports. The vote of the jury was 3 to 3, a tie, as to the guilt or innocence of Sullivan and the others. They heard all the evidence, that is this evidence that Dr. Cronin was going to publish at the coming convention."
CRONIN'S PRIVATE PAPERS IN EVIDENCE.
The taking of evidence came to an end on June 12, with the reading of some of the notes and papers left behind by the murdered man. These, although not entirely pertinent to the inquiry, were of absorbing interest, and were listened to with breathless attention by the large audience. They related largely to the notes of Mrs. Mackey Lomasney's testimony before the New York commission—heretofore referred to—and revealed a condition of affairs in the management of Irish secret societies so callous, cruel, selfish, treacherous, and revolting that a shudder passed through the auditors as page after page was read with precision and emphasis by the coroner. It was a woman's story of her husband's separation from her, and of the trials and tribulations through which she had passed, which was calculated to melt the stoniest heart, and served as a fitting finale to this historical inquiry.
CHAPTER XI.
CLOSING SCENES OF THE INQUEST—THE VERDICT—ALEXANDER SULLIVAN'S ARREST ORDERED—MIDNIGHT VISIT TO HIS RESIDENCE—HIS COOL DEMEANOR AND CHEERFUL ACQUIESENCE—TAKEN TO THE COUNTY JAIL—RELEASED ON HABEAS CORPUS.
The closing scenes of the coroner's inquest were of a nature calculated to impress themselves upon the memories of the participants.
The morning session had been replete with sensational testimony. At the noon recess word went around that the jury had heard enough upon which to frame a verdict, and that the prolonged investigation was nearing its close.
This, of itself, was sufficient to bring to the building a throng, that not only crowded the court room and the outside corridors, but extended away down the three broad flights of stairs and out into the street. Nearly two hours were spent in the reading of papers relating to the Clan-na-Gael and its English operations. When the last sheet had been read there was a pause. Chief Hubbard came in through a private entrance and a long consultation ensued between that official, the State's Attorney, and the coroner. Then the latter turned to the jury.