The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-03
GoEBEL ASSASINATED.
Shot Down By An Unknown
Person.
Both Political Parties Denounce The
Cowardly Assault.

FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. 30.-While walking
through the Capitol grounds on his way to the
Capitol Building at 10 minutes after II
o'clock this morning, William Goebel, the
Democratic contestant for Governor, was
shot down and very dangerously wounded.
Harland Whitaker, farmer from Butler
county, the home county of Governor Taylor,
is now in Jail at Louisville, charged with the
crime There is no direct evidence against
Whitaker, and he was placed under arrest
more because he was caught around the Cap
itol Building when the shots were fired than
for any other apparent reason. He denies in
the most positive manner that he had any
connection with the shooting or knew anything
about it. He was running toward the scene
of the shooting when he was arrested.
Senator Goebel was wounded by rifle ball
of small calibre, not over 38, which struck
him in the right side just below the armpit.
The ball passed through the back part of the
right lung, across the body on diagonal
base, passing below the left shoulder blade.
WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE SENATE.
Mr.. Goebel was on his way to the Senate
chamber, in company with Colonel Jack
Chinn and Warden Eph Lillard, of the Frank
fort Penitentiary. Mr.. Lillard was few
feet in advance of Goebel and Chinn, who
we're walking side by side, Goebel being on
the right and Chinn upon the left.
From the outer edge of the Capitol grounds
to the step of the Capitol building the dis
lance is about 300 feet. Two-thirds of this
had been passed, and the men were walking
slowly, when suddenly shot rang out from
large three story building which stands fifty
feet east of the Capitol Building. This build
ing is used tor offioas by naarly oil the lead
ing officials of the State, Governor Taylor and
the Secretary of State having rooms on the
first floor.
As the shot was heard Goebel gave "a quick,
involuntary exclamation of pain, and made
an effort to draw his own revolver. His
strength was unequal to the task, however,
aud he sank upon the pavement. With great
rapidity several more shots were fired, the
bullets striking the brick sidewalk close TO
where Goebel lay. None of them touched
him, however.
Iillard hastily turned around to aid Goe-
bel, who was supported by Chinn, who had
his arms about him almost as soon as he
touched the pavement. "Get help said
Chinn to Lillard, and, turning to Goebel, he
asked: ''Are you hurt, Goebel? Did they
get you ~
'.They have got me this time,n said Goe-
BEL II guess they have killed me-
WHERE THE SHOTS CANE FROM.
The bullet which struck Mr.. Goebel was
fred from the window in the centre of the
third story of the office building just east of
the Capitol The window was raised about
eight inches from the sill 20 permit an
unobsiructed passage of the bullet when Mr..
Goebel should come within range. Both
Cbiun and Lillard assert that, while the first
shot came from the direction of the third
story, there were other shots fired from differ
ent portions of the same building. Some of
those who heard the shots say that at least
one shot was fred from the Office of Secretary
of State.
The Contest Board at Frankfort last night
decided by strict party vote that Goebel and
Beckham had been elected Governor and
Lieutenant Governor, respectively. of Ken
lucky. Governor Taylor's request for post
ponement, in view of the fact that the argu-
ment of the case was impossible owing to the
stale Of popular excitement. was refused