Miscellaneous History Items

Emma Cronin Kills J. F. Stevens

News item from Cedar Rapids, May 5, 1883—A special to the Republican from Waverly says:

“J. F. Stevens, a telegraph operator, of Fort Dodge, was shot this evening at the Waverly House by Mrs. Emma Cronin, also of Fort Dodge.  The shot was from a revolver, and took effect about two inches above the ear.  He died within two hours.  Mrs. Cronin says she is a widow, aged 22, and was induced by Stevens to stop at Waverly on her road home from Dubuque.  He registered as J. Johnson and wife, and on entering her room, attempted to persuade and finally to force her to yield to his lustful desires, and that in her struggle she drew a revolver and fired the fatal shot.”

The above item brings a shock to the (Livermore) community.  Mrs. Cronin was brought up by H. Watkins, of this place, who adopted her when she was two years old.  Since her marriage she has lived some two miles east of Livermore.  Her husband died a year or more ago.  Lately she decided to engage in teaching, and came here to arrange for instructions under Prof. Martin.  Find it difficult to provide for her children she decided to put them in the Catholic home in Dubuque, she being a member of that church.  It was on her return that she fell in with Stevens with the above and result.  She is a young woman of attractive appearance, easily flattered, but so far as known of upright deportment.  On commission of the deed she gave herself up at once to the authorities, and telegraphed to her foster father, who has gone to render what help and sympathy he can.  The community here who know her, and are aware of her plans for future employment will hardly believe that her deed was other than an impulsive deed of self defense.  Public sympathy is aroused to behalf of her and her friends, upon who falls a stinging grief.

A Letter-Facts relative to Mrs. Cronin

Published in the Livermore Gazette

Waverly, June 11, 1883

My Dear Bro. Bissell;

  As Mrs. Watkins is about to return to her home for a few days, I wish, in the interest of humanity and justice to make a plain statement of the unfortunate occurrence that has recently take place here; by which Mrs. Cronin is plunged in deepest sorrow.  I took pains to hear the testimony in the care supposing that she was guilty beyond all recovery.

  But when I heard the testimony I became thoroughly convince that she had good and sufficient reason for doing as she did.  And being thus convinced my conscience would not let me do otherwise than to defend her to the utmost of my ability.  Without counting the cost to myself, and with the probability of having little help from anyone I went to work to try and turn the current of public opinion in the other direction.  And you would be astonished, where you here, to see the change that has been wrought in the last four or five days in this community.

  The man who tried to entrap her, and who lost his life in the undertaking, was an adroit scoundrel, and under the pretext that she could go this way home and see the city of Waverly, she was induced to come here.  He registered as man and wife without her consent, and every circumstance when properly understood goes to show any unprejudiced mind that the bullet was in defense of her virtue, and being bred a lawyer, I am fully convinced that no other motive can possibly be shown for the act.  He had to advance inch by inch, and she being verdant in regard to the ways of bad men supposed him to be a gentleman as he claimed. 

   The manner in which he gained access to her room and every move that was made—and in fact every circumstance connected with the case is as clear to my mind as a sunbeam and I bespeak for the suffering woman all the sympathy and assistance in the power of her friends and acquaintances to render.  It is a terrible thing to me to see as innocent person suffer wrongfully and I am certain that if this poor woman suffers death or imprisonment—the penalty will be inflicted on an innocent and virtuous woman.

   Do what you can therefore my dear brother remembering that Christ was said—“in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.”

A.M. Case, Pastor

June 22, 1883 Livermore Gazette

Mrs. Cronin

   The preliminary trial resulted in her being bound over for trial at the December court.  Her bonds are fixed at $2,000, which her friends hope to arrange.  Mr. and Mrs. Watkins returned on Tuesday having devoted themselves faithfully to her interests.  Excitement over the Barbers and the summary justice meted to them inflamed, a public sentiment, added to this there were many false and damaging reports in circulation chiefly originating with traveling men.  The evidence at the trial all went to confirm the one story she has told from the first.  Briefly outlined, the facts are these.  She met Stevens while returning from Dubuque, who gave her his name as Kane, residing at Fort Dodge.  After much persuasion she consented to turn aside to Waverly, he promising to go on with her and act as her protector.  They reached the hotel at about 4 o’clock in the morning, he registered as Johnson and wife from Chicago, she meanwhile, standing twenty or more feet away and ignorant of what he had written.  After she had retired to her room, he rapped on her door, explaining that he found his occupied and wished to see her a moment.  On her opening the door, he entered, when followed his fruitless effort to persuade and attempt to force her to yield, with the fatal shot.

   An important witness was a traveling man named Stockdale an accomplice of Stevens who came with them and also registered under a assumed name.  His testimony fully corroborated her statements.  The presence of the gentlemen who were from here and Livermore, and their testimony that she was never known to bear any but a virtuous name aided materially in her defense.  Rev. A.M. Case, pastor of the Congregational Church at Waverly, proved a friend indeed.  There is good reason to believe that she would have been acquitted but for the aroused state of feelings in the community of which we spoke.  That the final trial will result in a release is the confident conviction of those most conversant with the facts.   

April 11, 1884

Livermore Gazette

Rev. J. B. Zigrang, H. M. Burnham, John Merrill and George McCauley went to Waverly last Monday, to be present as witnesses on the Emma Cronin case.

April 18, 1884

Those of our citizens who went to Waverly last week on the Emma  Cronin case, have not returned as yet.

April 25, 1884

William Thompson, C.C. Coyle, and J. W. Foster have returned from Waverly, as have also Mr. and Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Cronin, having by their united efforts, secured the acquittal of the latter, of which they doubtless feel proud.