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Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago
It was the biggest funeral Chicago had seen since Lincoln’s. On May 26, 1889, four thousand mourners proceeded down Michigan Avenue, followed by a crowd forty thousand strong, in a howl of protest at what commentators called one of the ghastliest and most curious crimes in civilized history. The dead man, Dr. P. H. Cronin, was a respected Irish physician, but his brutal murder uncovered a web of intrigue, secrecy, and corruption that stretched across the United States and far beyond.
Blood Runs Green tells the story of Cronin’s murder from the police investigation to the trial. It is a story of hotheaded journalists in pursuit of sensational crimes, of a bungling police force riddled with informers and spies, and of a secret revolutionary society determined to free Ireland but succeeding only in tearing itself apart. It is also the story of a booming immigrant population clamoring for power at a time of unprecedented change.
From backrooms to courtrooms, historian Gillian O’Brien deftly navigates the complexities of Irish Chicago, bringing to life a rich cast of characters and tracing the spectacular rise and fall of the secret Irish American society Clan na Gael. She draws on real-life accounts and sources from the United States, Ireland, and Britain to cast new light on Clan na Gael and reveal how Irish republicanism swept across the United States. Destined to be a true crime classic, Blood Runs Green is an enthralling tale of a murder that captivated the world and reverberated through society long after the coffin closed.
Blood Runs Green tells the story of Cronin’s murder from the police investigation to the trial. It is a story of hotheaded journalists in pursuit of sensational crimes, of a bungling police force riddled with informers and spies, and of a secret revolutionary society determined to free Ireland but succeeding only in tearing itself apart. It is also the story of a booming immigrant population clamoring for power at a time of unprecedented change.
From backrooms to courtrooms, historian Gillian O’Brien deftly navigates the complexities of Irish Chicago, bringing to life a rich cast of characters and tracing the spectacular rise and fall of the secret Irish American society Clan na Gael. She draws on real-life accounts and sources from the United States, Ireland, and Britain to cast new light on Clan na Gael and reveal how Irish republicanism swept across the United States. Destined to be a true crime classic, Blood Runs Green is an enthralling tale of a murder that captivated the world and reverberated through society long after the coffin closed.
319 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 21, 2015
A well researched but at times a bit too detailed and tangential about yet another long forgotten "crime of the century." The underpinnings of the notorious Clan na Gael seemed to me to be a bit over-wrought and not necessary to tell the story. By the time Author O'Brien finally gets to the trial I was at the point of "just get on with it" even the book runs at just over 200 pages. The story will however make me a bit queasy the next time I find myself in a Chicago Irish bar.
June 4, 2015
This would have been an excellent article, but as a book-- even a book of just 200 pages-- there just wasn't enough meat to the story. The author had to fill it with tons of characters and info that really had no importance to the story. One reviewer used the word tedious to describe the book in her review. I wholeheartedly agree. That is the perfect word to describe reading this book.
June 16, 2015
A meticulously-researched history of the killing of Dr. P.H. Cronin of Chicago in May, 1889 by rivals in a Irish American revolutionary group. O'Brien doesn't weave a narrative like Erik Larsen or David McCullough but it's rich with history for long-time Chicagoans.
The killing took place a month before the June, 1889 vote by the city to annex the surrounding villages of Lake View, Hyde Park, Lake, Cicero and Jefferson -- and inept police work by Lake View police may have been a factor in the vote to consolidate. The murder took place in Lake View in the 3400 block of what is now N. Roscoe; the body was dumped in a retention basin at Foster & Broadway (100 yards from our first house); many street names have changed in the 125 years gone by:
* Michigan Avenue was Pine Street until after the Chicago Fire
* Foster was 59th Street at the time of Cronin's death; Broadway was Evanston Avenue.
One of the outcomes of the trial and conviction of Cronin's murderers was the decline of secret Irish republican societies, particularly in Chicago.
The killing took place a month before the June, 1889 vote by the city to annex the surrounding villages of Lake View, Hyde Park, Lake, Cicero and Jefferson -- and inept police work by Lake View police may have been a factor in the vote to consolidate. The murder took place in Lake View in the 3400 block of what is now N. Roscoe; the body was dumped in a retention basin at Foster & Broadway (100 yards from our first house); many street names have changed in the 125 years gone by:
* Michigan Avenue was Pine Street until after the Chicago Fire
* Foster was 59th Street at the time of Cronin's death; Broadway was Evanston Avenue.
One of the outcomes of the trial and conviction of Cronin's murderers was the decline of secret Irish republican societies, particularly in Chicago.
December 13, 2018
This is a well-written and interesting book about the murder of Dr. P. H. Cronin, yet another Crime of the Century that no one's ever heard of. Cronin's murder is inextricably bound up in the affairs of the Clan na Gael, so I learned a great deal about Irish Republicanism in Gilded Age Chicago. (I already knew about Gilded Age corruption, but this did certainly provide a number of new examples.) O'Brien is very good at examining and explaining ramifications, both in the causes of Cronin's murder and in the consequences, and she keeps track the whole time of how the Chicago newspapers both reported the news and sometimes created the news they were reporting.
April 4, 2015
I like to read about Old Chicago and its history. I heard about this book on NPR and decided I had to read it. I must say I was disappointed. The author did a great job or research, but in the end the story behind the murder of Dr. Cronin was just not that intriguing a subject for a full-length book. It is a good history of the American Irish Independence movement in the late 1800s, but I kept waiting for something dramatic to happen and it never did. I was expecting an Erik Larson type experience and this book doesn't come close to delivering it.
March 6, 2020
A large portion of this work concerns itself with the three Irish societies that held sway in Chicago during the Gilded Ages. Clan na Gael, the secret Irish republican society founded in New York in 1867, sought to bring about Irish independence from Britain with violence. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, established in New York in 1836, served as an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. The third, the Land League of America, founded in 1880, vouchsafed support to the Irish Land League and, later, the Irish Parliamentary Party.
Like other immigrant communities of the time, the Irish population in Chicago faced many challenges, but the Irish community shared both a strong religion and an antagonism toward England. And, in a time when the populace was largely anti-immigrant and anti-Irish, the secret societies were often places where the Irish could find friends, support, and even jobs. Many men belonged to all three organizations and, at times, there were brutal conflicts between their high-ranking members and fractures within the groups themselves.
Although they each belonged to different sectors of Clan na Gael, Doctor Patrick Henry Cronin became a persistent, outspoken opponent of Alexander Sullivan. Cronin believed that Sullivan was more concerned with promoting himself than with securing freedom for the Irish. As the split widened, Cronin feared for his life, believing some sort of a plot against him existed and, finally, allegations, published in the newspapers, became public. Tensions mounted; Doctor Cronin disappeared.
Weeks later, the body of Patrick Cronin surfaced, and it was determined that his injuries had been sustained during a prolonged attack with multiple instruments, including an ice pick. The funeral of the murdered doctor brought Chicago to a standstill and sparked a widespread police investigation capped by a protracted trial.
Although the murder is, purportedly, at the heart of the narrative, there is much intriguing history detailed here. Perhaps the extensive backstory regarding the secret societies and the history of Chicago are important for understanding the motivation behind the murder, but there are times that the reader may feel as if Doctor Cronin’s death is far less important than the actions of the societies. The unfortunate result is that the backstory/history bogs down the telling of the tale and often relegates the murder to something other than the primary focus of the narrative.
Voluminous notes, a listing of organization and terms, and an extensive bibliography of both primary and secondary sources all follow the narrative, providing both information and resource information for readers.
Like other immigrant communities of the time, the Irish population in Chicago faced many challenges, but the Irish community shared both a strong religion and an antagonism toward England. And, in a time when the populace was largely anti-immigrant and anti-Irish, the secret societies were often places where the Irish could find friends, support, and even jobs. Many men belonged to all three organizations and, at times, there were brutal conflicts between their high-ranking members and fractures within the groups themselves.
Although they each belonged to different sectors of Clan na Gael, Doctor Patrick Henry Cronin became a persistent, outspoken opponent of Alexander Sullivan. Cronin believed that Sullivan was more concerned with promoting himself than with securing freedom for the Irish. As the split widened, Cronin feared for his life, believing some sort of a plot against him existed and, finally, allegations, published in the newspapers, became public. Tensions mounted; Doctor Cronin disappeared.
Weeks later, the body of Patrick Cronin surfaced, and it was determined that his injuries had been sustained during a prolonged attack with multiple instruments, including an ice pick. The funeral of the murdered doctor brought Chicago to a standstill and sparked a widespread police investigation capped by a protracted trial.
Although the murder is, purportedly, at the heart of the narrative, there is much intriguing history detailed here. Perhaps the extensive backstory regarding the secret societies and the history of Chicago are important for understanding the motivation behind the murder, but there are times that the reader may feel as if Doctor Cronin’s death is far less important than the actions of the societies. The unfortunate result is that the backstory/history bogs down the telling of the tale and often relegates the murder to something other than the primary focus of the narrative.
Voluminous notes, a listing of organization and terms, and an extensive bibliography of both primary and secondary sources all follow the narrative, providing both information and resource information for readers.
October 21, 2023
An overall excellent reconstruction of one of Chicago's most notorious murder cases. Like the Haymarket bomb two years before (both of which occurred on the same day), Dr. Cronin's mysterious, hide-the-body killing fed a sensation-hungry 19th century media, revealing both the division within Irish America and between the mainstream.
Although a slim book, O'Brien packs in much detail. Previous reviewers chide her for this, while claiming it has no depth. Others detract the book for not focusing enough on the murder, with too much time on Green politics. Yet Dr. Cronin was obviously murdered for his opposition role within the movement. The stage, for a modern non-Irish reader, must be set first.
I will agree that O'Brien diverts a little too much time into newspaper history. But to a degree the focus is understandable: 19th-century newspapers were essentially tabloid journalism. Their moral judgmentalism, obvious ethnic biases, and fact-spinning would have hanged all the Cronin defendants regardless of fact, were it not for one Protestant juror who split the verdict. Yet some were sensitive to the black eye dealt Chicago's justice system by the ramrod Haymarket judgement.
The bottom-line question remains: was the Triangle, specifically its apex Alex Sullivan, guilty of conspiracy to kill Cronin? No direct evidence was forthcoming, and probably can't be by now. But an old conspirator like Sullivan would have known how to set the wheels in motion with no fingerprints of his own. Al Capone, after all, was indicted for tax evasion, not the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
A good four-star book, integrating the Cronin murder with its background of Irish nationalism and Chicago corruption.
Although a slim book, O'Brien packs in much detail. Previous reviewers chide her for this, while claiming it has no depth. Others detract the book for not focusing enough on the murder, with too much time on Green politics. Yet Dr. Cronin was obviously murdered for his opposition role within the movement. The stage, for a modern non-Irish reader, must be set first.
I will agree that O'Brien diverts a little too much time into newspaper history. But to a degree the focus is understandable: 19th-century newspapers were essentially tabloid journalism. Their moral judgmentalism, obvious ethnic biases, and fact-spinning would have hanged all the Cronin defendants regardless of fact, were it not for one Protestant juror who split the verdict. Yet some were sensitive to the black eye dealt Chicago's justice system by the ramrod Haymarket judgement.
The bottom-line question remains: was the Triangle, specifically its apex Alex Sullivan, guilty of conspiracy to kill Cronin? No direct evidence was forthcoming, and probably can't be by now. But an old conspirator like Sullivan would have known how to set the wheels in motion with no fingerprints of his own. Al Capone, after all, was indicted for tax evasion, not the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
A good four-star book, integrating the Cronin murder with its background of Irish nationalism and Chicago corruption.
May 12, 2020
Really 3.5 stars. Another difficult read. I had recently finished The Devil's Gentleman by Harold Schecter and hoped this would be similar. Unfortunately O'Brien doesn't bring to life 1890s Chicago as well as Schecter brings to life a certain period. I did learn a lot about the Irish in Chicago and secret societies of the time. But I don't think it would have all made as much sense if I hadn't taken Revolution and Nationalism in Ireland 1780-on thirty years ago in college. And that was pretty sketchy memory. Supposedly this was a crime that riveted America in the 1890s but it really wasn't that interesting or exciting. My biggest take away, like in The Devil's Gentleman, was the coverage of US news reporting in the 1890s which makes today's chants of "fake news" seem laughable. Or really nothing has changed at all about mainstream media.
June 9, 2018
Secret Irish societies, political intrigue abroad and in America, murder, and a press that, much like today, is more concerned about headlines than reporting truth. Some truths may never been know about Dr. Cronin's murder, and the press reports certainly helped to muddle information.
February 29, 2020
Agree with other reviewers...interesting to learn about Irish Americans in Chicago in the 1880s, the Clan na Gael, and such an infamous Chicago murder case, but it did have a bit too much detail at times.
November 28, 2025
An easy to read and accessible look at one of the most famous murders in Chicago history.in the 1890's. Little mentioned now, I enjoyed the story and the insight into both Irish and Chicago culture and politics.
July 26, 2021
Well researched tale. Entertainingly told
January 4, 2022
Not the most cohesive stories but does give significant insight into the history of the Irish Republican movement in Chicago (and the US) during the late 1800's.
May 15, 2024
The author includes a lot of fluff to fill up pages. Since Andrew Sullivan, the murder victim’s nemesis was never arrested, the story loses steam. Eric Larsen would have done better.
February 9, 2016
A very interesting slice of Chicago history, during a time of unprecedented growth for the city, it's newspapers, and burgeoning immigrant populations (with their inherent baggage). So much is new to me in this very detailed book, based on a murder *everyone* knew about, not just in Chicago but nationally, and overseas. This was a time of secret societies, obsessive smarmy characters, underhanded backroom deals and a press as motivated to create news as report it.
Maybe because it is such a dense plot with an extensive background necessary to understand as preface that it seems at times bogged down and heavy. This is more the case in the first half - which makes sense - then does free itself up for some very exciting reading. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if that were an option. I really did enjoy it, offering a detailed look at an incredible time in our history (I'm from Chicago and loved the descriptions of long gone hotels and restaurants, and familiar intersections in their dirt road infancy, during a time when Lakeview was still a separate town!). If you're interested in a portrait of this young buck of a city, centered around an Irish "Spy vs Spy", this is a bloody good read.
Maybe because it is such a dense plot with an extensive background necessary to understand as preface that it seems at times bogged down and heavy. This is more the case in the first half - which makes sense - then does free itself up for some very exciting reading. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if that were an option. I really did enjoy it, offering a detailed look at an incredible time in our history (I'm from Chicago and loved the descriptions of long gone hotels and restaurants, and familiar intersections in their dirt road infancy, during a time when Lakeview was still a separate town!). If you're interested in a portrait of this young buck of a city, centered around an Irish "Spy vs Spy", this is a bloody good read.
September 17, 2015
"The story of the murder of Dr Cronin is a multifaceted one. It is a tale of identity and belonging, of striving to make a new life in a new world. It is also the story of corruption, deception, and conspiracy. At its most basic it is a murder mystery. ...
The story of Cronin's murder is also a story of Chicago, a city where many Irish immigrants flourished."
Gillian O'Brien, Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago
This murder mystery has all the elements of a sensational story -- intrigue, secret societies, political cronyism, prominent citizens in the Irish community, possible ties to the Parnell case, a respected journalist married to a suspect, infighting within the Clan ... In this case, "Blood Runs Green" is a great research paper, but not a great narrative. I really wish that this book was better organized and had more of a story line. The best chapter is the one that discusses the newspaper business in Chicago in its heyday.
note -- the last 80+ pages are notes, indexes and bibliographies
The story of Cronin's murder is also a story of Chicago, a city where many Irish immigrants flourished."
Gillian O'Brien, Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago
This murder mystery has all the elements of a sensational story -- intrigue, secret societies, political cronyism, prominent citizens in the Irish community, possible ties to the Parnell case, a respected journalist married to a suspect, infighting within the Clan ... In this case, "Blood Runs Green" is a great research paper, but not a great narrative. I really wish that this book was better organized and had more of a story line. The best chapter is the one that discusses the newspaper business in Chicago in its heyday.
note -- the last 80+ pages are notes, indexes and bibliographies
March 18, 2015
Barely fair of me to review this because I straight gave up less than a quarter in. Not at all what I expected. Less historical true crime and more just history, which IS FINE just not what I was looking for. I found this to have a TEDIOUS level of detail-- too many people and story lines introduced rapid-fire.
After reading pages and pages of what felt like biblical-style so-and-so begat so-and-so (i.e. NAMESNAMESNAMESTHINGNAMENAME) I just don't care about the Clan districts and votes and meetings and who is appointed to what council. This is just too in the weeds for me and I threw in the towel. On St. Patty's Day no less.
I may circle back to this some day but this was not at all what I was expecting.
After reading pages and pages of what felt like biblical-style so-and-so begat so-and-so (i.e. NAMESNAMESNAMESTHINGNAMENAME) I just don't care about the Clan districts and votes and meetings and who is appointed to what council. This is just too in the weeds for me and I threw in the towel. On St. Patty's Day no less.
I may circle back to this some day but this was not at all what I was expecting.
May 21, 2015
A great look at a murder that captivated Chicago for decades. I had never heard of this murder, despite being born and raised in the Chicago area, so it was especially interesting for me. Although she's Irish and lives in England, O'Brien seems to have a real sense of the culture of Chicago. This book is an accessible and interesting read, but don't go into it expecting a true-crime novel. It's nonfiction history written by a professional scholar. The description of the murder is not as great a part of the book as the analysis of its causes and consequences.
Overall, an enjoyable, interesting, and accessible read that gives a peek into late-19th century Chicago.
Overall, an enjoyable, interesting, and accessible read that gives a peek into late-19th century Chicago.
May 13, 2015
This book did a nice job of walking the line between a scholarly book and a pop history one. However, I do wish she had explained some of the Irish and American historical references a bit more. There were some with a bit of explanation where my curiosity was just asking for more, but there were also some names and events that were just mentioned without context. I even have an Irish lit degree (which involved some history classes) and I was occasionally heading to Google. There were also a few typos, unfortunately. :(
December 20, 2015
Interesting exploration of a late 1800s murder in Chicago of an Irish doctor. At the time it was a case the press and city focused on. Lot of mystery around what happened to Dr. Cronin and who did it. Interesting read with lot of good information but at times goes off on too many tangents for a short book.
February 20, 2016
Thoroughly researched & well written. Information about the Irish republican movement here and in Ireland and about secret societies and Chicago politics.not enough characterization to make me as interested in the murder or trial as some writers have managed ( devil in the white city, midnight in the garden of good and evil)
March 30, 2015
Very interesting account of a murder, Irish immigrants, and secret Irish societies in 1880s Chicago.
September 12, 2015
Interesting read if you enjoy Chicago history.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews