The age-herald., 1900-03-25

 Which Has Tom tn DAMAGING ID CALEB POWERS Democratic Legislators Were to Have Been Murdered. TWO NEGROES TO KILL GoEBEL The Original Plan Was to Commit the Murder in the State House, and to Shoot Several of the
 Legislators

Frankfort, Ky, March 24.-"John Powers told me they had two negroes here ito kill Goebel They were Hecker Smith and Dick Coombs."
 This statement was made today by Whar- ton Golden, a frail consumptive looking Kentucky mountaineer, while on the wit ness stand, in the preliminary examination of Secretary of State Caleb Powers. charg- ed with conspiracy to kill Goebel.
 Golden told story of the events leading up to the murder which, if substantiated, will in the minds of those connected with the prosecution att least probably go far toward proving the contentious of the com- rlnonwealth that the murder was the result of plan in which several prominent men were involved.
 ! Whether the defense will seek to impeach Goldens testimony in this preliminary ex- samdnaton is not known, the attorneys for the defense will not talk on the subject, but unless such attempt Is made the com- uronwealth will rest its case, both County Attorney Polsgrove and Attorney Camp bell being satisfied that enough evidence alas been presented to hold the defendant on the charges.
 Golden, who claims to have been friend to Caleb Powers and his brother John Powers, for years, gave testimony that was dana sdng to John Powers, but he also brought In the names of many others, in- cluding former Secretary of State Charles Finley, w. H. Culton and Governor Taylor. in his story of the bringing of the noun taineers to Frankfort previous to the as- sassination. Governor Taylor, however, was not directly implicated Golden was not cross examined today, and adjourn 1nent was taken at an early hour this af- ternoon on account of his physical condi- tion, the witness having slight hemo- rhage during the morning, becoming so weak underline strain of the examination in the afternoon that he begged to be al- lowed respite.
 Was Nervous at Times
 He was nervous at times. Golden's testi- mony tended to show that plan was made to bring several hundred regular noun tain feudists'' to Frankfort, who would, if necessary, as Golden expressed 1t, "go into the legislative hall and kill off enough dem- ocrats to make 1t our way"
 The testimony did not show that the al- legged plot to kill Goeoel was part of the original plan, nor did it contain the names
 
 so far as Goldens remarks about John Powers gave the impression that the latter was one of the movers. lBut the common wealth sought to show by Golden's versatons with various persons that not only John and Caleb Powers, but others as well, had full knowledge or the alleged plan of assassina tion.
 IF. Wharton Golden, of Barboursville, was sworn as the first witness. He said he had known Secretary Powers for seven- teen Aor eighteen years; also knew MT. Coulton. He was also acquainted with Governor Taylor and Captain John Powers. He said he was good friend to all of the defendants He was in Frankfort in Jan- uary and February, and saw Secretary and John Powers nearly every day. He was in Frankfort on January II, and went to liar aan county on the 18th; then went to Lau- rel county for two or three days, from there returning to Frankfort
 Where, then. did you go to-Barbours- yille?" asked Attorney Campbell.
 The witness hesitated, and then said: T won't answer that"
 Conversation With Powers
 '.when did you have conversation with Secretary Powers?"
 When MT Powers and I left here to go there Colonel Powers told me to go to Harlan and tell Postmaster John Hirst to send down ten witnesses in the contest case.''-
 '1How were these witnesses to be selected and in what manner were they to come?" Regular mountain feudists."'
 "Give the exact conversation between you and Secre -ary Powers relative to get ting witnesses in Harlan county"
 lille told me to go to Harlan county and tell Mr. Hirst to send down ten men who were regular mountain feudsts."
 Did he understand what you meant by t4,at and if so what was your understand ing of that request?'
 Objected to, but overruled.
 T won't answer that" said Golden.
 After some barley, MT. Golden said:
 Well, men who could stand up and if necessary, go into that legislative hall and kill off enough to make it in our favor l did not see MT. H1irst I saw Eamp How ard. told hdm wanted ten regular mountain feudists for witnesses. That is all told him. I told Hamp the kind of witnesses wanted were men who had good Colts forty-fives."
 Were the Colts forty-fives to be put in evidence" asked Attorney Campbell
 'TMost assuredly they were," answered Golden.
 Did Not Know Witnesses In reply tc a question, Golden said he did not knqw the witnesses who came to Frankfort; He delivered the message to