The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-09
THE LOUISVILLE TRAGEDY.
Preparations for u Vigorous Prescott lon
Chnrges That Brown Was a ssnssinated.


Charges That Brown Was Assnssinated.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Mays The Courier
Journal to-day prints the following:
| The sensation attending the Gordon
double killing is not over yet by half.
The prosecution to day will attempt to
prove that Arthur Dixon Browns death
was due to plot to assassiuate him, q
| trap, as the prosecution believes, forced
and planned by one, who for reasons
| best known to himself, was afraid to do
the work and used Gordon as the tool to
carry outhis design. These statements
come directly from the prosecution.
Governor Brown has reasons to be-
| lieve that his sons coming to Louisville
on the day of the tragedy and his assig-
| nation with Mrs. Gordon was known to
man in Frankfort, who telegraphed to
| man in Louisville. This Louisville
man, the prosecution claims, notified
Gordon that his wife WAS to meet
Brown, and actively assisted in foul
assassination"
The prosecution further says that the
name of the man who "ected the spy"
Is known to him, and he will have to be
produced in court on an attachment
The man whom the prosecution believes
piloted Gordon to the house of Lucy
Smith is college chum OF Gordon, and
was married in Frankfort.
Mr.. James A. Scott, the Frankfort at.
torney employed by Governor Rrown to
prosecute the case, was seen last night
at the Wizards Hotel. He Ia fearless,
capable lawyer, and has the reputation
Of doing what he believes TO be his duty
at all hazards. He says: Governor
Brown sent for me about O'Clock yes
terday afternoon. He explained his
views and position in the matter and
emp Dyed me to prosecute the case in
the examining trial only. I want to-
say that Governor Brown never au-
thorized any statement that he would
prosecute the case, nor did he ever
dream of granting o pardon to Gordon
as has been stated.
before deciding on this step. Gov
ernor Brown took counsel with num-
Der Of intimate friends from ell over
the State. He came to the conclusion
that 1t was due to the memory of his
son that there should be full and fair
investigation OF the facts; not neces-
sary for the purpose of prosecution but
for the purpose of enabling him and
the officers of the law to determine
whether there ought to be further
prosecution Of the case. He arrived at
this conclusion after the satisfying of
himself that his son did not seduce Mrs.
Gordon, and that Mrs. Gordon had no
reason to believe that he had led her
WINGED that Gordon must have known
that his wife was dissipsted, reckless
and imprudent, II not an unchaste
woman.
Governor Brown Is now firmly con-
vinced that we'll planned trap WAS
laid for his son, and that his son was
selected for the sacrifice out Of large
number OF like offenders, and that in
formation was furnished of his coming
by some one In Frankfort to another
man in Louisville, who for some motive
advised and actively assisted in what
Gov. Brown considers foul assassina
tion We have good reason to believe
that we know who the man is who took
Gordon TO Lucy Smiths house. He
was college mate of Gordon, and was
married in Frankfort.
This man must be brought irto
court. We will demand 1t. There will
be some very interesting developments
when he is brought. We will push the
matter to the bottom and bring out all
of the facts.
I'm regard to the others. who were
like offenders with Archie Brown. will
say, for the sake of Mrs. Gordon's rela-
:!ves, who are all excellent people. and
highly esteemed by Governor Brown
and his counsel, the governor would
shrink from any attack upon her char
acter, but would prefer to throw the
veil of charity over all her acts,
especially as she is dead.
The future will determine whether
1t will be necessary to further blacken
the character of Mrs. Gordon in order to
show the defendants thorough knowls
edge of 1t. We do not know as yet what
the defense will try to prove, and until
we do, will be unable TO answer that
question. II it Ia necessary we will
show that others were equally guilty,
but do not think we will have 70 do
this. | think the developments to-
morrow will be surprising to some peo-
p1a