The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-28
He LOOKED Up WHEN
THE SHOT RANG OUT
And Saw the Gun Poi;,t d
From the Window.
so SAID GEORGE WEAVER
He Believed He Saw q Hand Hold
ing the Gun.
so SAID GEORGE WEAVER
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY BY GOLDEN
The keys of the Secretary Of States Office
Given Youtsey by John Powers the
Day Before the Assassina-
ton Of GoebeI.
ton Of GoebeI.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Wharton Golden, the prosecutions star
witness, was placed in the witness box
today in the trial of Caleb Powers, charg-
ed with completely in the assassination
of Governor Goebel. Unless present
plans are changed the State will rest
its case tomorrow at the conclusion of
Goldens testimony. His statements to-
day did not vary materially from those
made by him at the examining trial of
Powers in Frankfort.
w. H. Hampton, a Republican member
of the Legislature from Powers home
county, preceded Golden on the stand.
He swore that Governor Taylor wanted
the Republican members to start fight
in the House and assured him that he
as Governor, would back them up.
Judge James D. Black, of Bar
louisville, who was candidate
for the Democratic nomination for
Governor before the recent State Con-
vention testified today in the trial of
Caleb Powers, charged with completely
in the Goebel shooting. He described
letter which he said Powers wrote James
in which he declared the statements, 81
am largely responsible for the disorgan-
lied condition of the Democrats" and 81
am an open advocate of war" were used.
d. II. Sinclair, former manager of the
Postal Telegraph Cable Company of
Frankfort testified as to many kilograms
sent through his office before and after
the shooting. Some related to calling
mountaineers.
Sinclair was subjected to rigid cross
examination by Governor Brown.
George Weaver, of Denver, Colo, was
the next witness. He was in Frankfort
at the time of the assassination and was
just entering the capitol grounds, rear.
When the shot was fired witness looked
in the direction of the executive building
and saw the muzzle of a gun pointing from
the Secretary of States office. Witness
said he thought he saw the hand of man
holding the gun.
l.. w. Hampton, Republican member
OF the Legislature from Knox county,
testified that he was talking with Cover
nor Taylor in January upon the subject
of contests. The witness said Taylor told
him that human life would have to be
sacrificed. Hampton continued
J Il replied: Well if the Governor says
- but he broke in and said to me:
oh, ! can't advise you
Il had called on the Governor to urge
him to call out the militia. He told me
some thing would have to be done before
he could do this. 1t was in this connec-
tiOn that he spoke of sacrificing human
life. On the day after the contest board
was drawn witness said he heard that
Taylor was cursing the Republican men,
bers. He went to the executive office and
Taylor said to him with an oath: You
fellows sat over there and allowed me to
be robbed. "
Hampton also said he was in frequent
conference with Caleb Powers, and asked
the latter if he did not have a chance to
hold on his Office, even if Taylor should
be unseated. Powers replied to witness
that he did not want the office if Taylor
lost the Governorship as Goebel would
have him assassinated. Powers also told
witness he intended to fight till death
rather than give up.
Golden started out by telling that he
was guard at the Frankfort Penitentia-
ry under the Republican administration
from 1896 to 1898, and was an applicant
for Assistant Adjutant General under
General Taylor. Caleb Powers came to
him in January and asked him to go to
the mountains and get a crowd of noun
tain feudists to bring to Frankfort Pow
ers accompanied witness part of the way
on the trip and witness went through
Harlan, Bell and other counties, getting
up the crowd. Receipts from Hamp How
ard, DR.. Bingham and other mountain
men for money paid to them by Golden
were produced and exhibited to the Jury.
Witness got the money from Powers.
At Barbourville Golden saw Powers
and Charles Finley. Finley said: Wen
go down there and petition the Legisla-
ture, and if they don't drop that thing
we will kill them"
Powers, who was present spoke ap-
provlngly. Powers and witness went to
Scott Green, of Knox county, and asked
him to bring some men for the Frankfort
trip. Green could not go and said: IF
| were TO go ! would kill Goebel and end
this business"
On the day before the shooting, wit
ness saw John Powers give Youtsey the
keys to the Secretary of States Office
and later Powers told him they had pro-
cured two negroes, Mason Hockersmith
and "rallow Dick Combs to kill Goe-
bel. Witness told Powers this must not
bedone, as it would ruin the party. At
ter this Youtsey came to Powers again