The sun., 1900-02-05
DEATH CLAIMS GOV. GOEDEL
He Died About z 0'Oclock on
Saturday Evening at
Frankfort, Ky.
BECKHAM TAKES THE OATH
Sworn In as Governor and Im-
medfately Issues Proclama-
tion Begging for Peace.
Taylor Defies Writ of
Habeas Corpus.
BECKHAM TAKES THE OATH

Frankfort, KY, Feb. 4.-William Goe-
bel died Saturday night little before
o'clock. The announcement Of his death
was made at the Capitol hotel by the dis
tribution OF the following circular. which
had been prepared by leading Democrats
during the afternoon, when it was certain
that his death was question Of only a 4
few hours:
"ro the People of Kentucky: 1t is with
the most profound sorrow that we an
nounce the death of Senator William
Goebel. In his last moments he coun-
seled his friends to keep cool and bow to
the law in all things. We, his friends and
admirers, beg of the people of Kentucky
in this hour of atiliction to carefully abb
stain from any act of violence or any re-
sort to mob law. 1t would be his wish if
he were alive that there should be abso
lutely no stain left on his memory by any
imprudent act of any who We're his
friends. The law is supreme and must i'll
time be re-establshed, and all the wrongs
he and his party have suffered will find
their proper redress"
When the announcement was made.
the corridor of the hotel was filled with
friends of the senator, and there follow
ed a scene of sorrow unusual and i'll
many ways remarkable. Men and women
put their arms around one another's neck
and wept on one another's shoulder.
The News Was Held Back.
Some little time after the announce
ment of Senator Goebel's death was
made the fact came out that he had been
dead nearly an hour before the news was
told. The purpose of holding back the
fact of his death was not stated even
then.
Immediately after the announcement
was made and after the crowd had calm
ed down somewhat a conference of the
Democrats was called. The situation was
gone over. 1t was decided that Beckham,
who had run for lieutenant governor with
| Goebel and who had been twice sworn in
as lieutenant governor, should be sworn
| in at once as governor.
| There was no justice of the circuit
| court or Of the court of appeals at hand.
and Samuel j. Shackelford, clerk of the
court of appeals, was sent for. Shortly
after o'clock he arrived at the hotel and
was taken to the room where Mr.. Beck
ham has been almost prisoner since the
shooting. The Democrats gathered in that
room, too, and the oath of office as gov
ernor was administered.
| Colonel Young, who was one of the
leading Democratic attorneys throughout
the Goebel,Taylor contest, and Senator
| Elect Blackburn sat at table in the cen
ter of the room, upon which they had
| drawn up the papers necessary to the ad-
ministration of the oath of Office to Mr.
| Beckham. After the papers had been
completed there was wait of nearly ten
minutes for Dr. MacCormack. The death
certificate had already been prepared
and DR.. MacCarmack quickly signed his
name and swore to the contents of the
paper.
"Now, Mr.. Beckham, it's your turn"
said Colonel Young. Mr.. Beckham, who
had been standing in the far corner of the
room, at once advanced to the table with
a flush of excitement on his youthful
face.
Sign the OATH" said Colonel Young,
pushing the paper toward him.
Beckham hesitated and Colonel Young
repeated his request.
Let me be sworn first" said Mr.
Beckham.
you must sign the paper before you
take the OATH" said Colonel Young. 1--WE
want your oath to the signature"
Beckham Takes the Oath.
Mr.. Beckham advanced to the table
and affixed his signature, and then, step
ping back, he held up his right hand for
| the oath which was read to him by Clerk
| Shackelford. The light was not of the
best and the writing on the paper not the
most legible, and Mr.. Shackelford made
slow work of it. All the time Beckham
stood before him with his eyes shining
and deep flush ON his face. When the
/ al fhn pal,, O,1e 1f h.,
oath, 80 help you God" Mr.. Beckhams
reply came, II do" and then with great
er emphasis, Sand may God give me
strength to do my duty"
81 devoutly hope he will" rejoined
| Colonel Young.
Clerk Shackelford then placed his at
| test to the oath.
The first official act of Mr. Beckham
was the appointment of new adjutant
general, and his last act before assuming
the oath was an order removing Adjutant
General Collier and Assistant Adjutant
General Dixon. The order was as fol-
lows:
1.-The following executive order is pub
lished for the information and guidance
of all concerned:
Executive Order No. Id Daniel II.
Collier, adjutant general, and ]. X. Dix
/ ol, dSSiSthHt uuJuldlI general, are nefeDy
removed from Office, to take effect imme-
| diately.
"t2) Referring to executive proclama-
tion of the 1st inst, all members Of the
Kentucky state guard ordered onylnty in
the city of Frankfort by my predecessor
are relieved from duty TO take effect i'm
mediately, and are instructed this day to
return to their respective posts"
On the back of this order was indnrsed
the following. signed Harry Mckay, colo
mel and aid-de-camp tn the governor:
"EXecuted by delivering true copy to
| Captain Bennett, officer of the day, IN
command Of troops at gate Of Capitol
grounds, who reported General Collier alb
sent from his command. Captain Bennett
received the paper and promised 10 deliy-
er same 10 General Collier, The delivery
was made al 620 O'clock p. IN, this 3d
day of February, 1000
| The order was delivered 10. Captain
Bennett al the gate Of the Capitol
grounds % minutes before the death OF
Mr.. Goebel. Mir. Becllhnm was made
acting governor las1 night by, the medical
certificate OF Dr MacC0rmack that Mr.
Geebpi was unable TO assume the func-
| items of the oiiice.