Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-01-31
THE KENTUCKY TRAGEDY.

L N WI Il lIshOHD~'
As was stated in the Gazstte, Will
lam Goebel, demo crat C contestant for
Governor of Kentucky, was shot ard
dangerously wounded in tbs Capitol
arounds at Frankfort, yesterday har-
land Whitaker. farmer from tne
home county of Governor Taylor, VINO
was arrested, charged with the shoot
log was, to prevent violence, promptly
removed from Frankfort to Louisville,
and lodged in jail. He denies any con-
nection with the shooting There is no
evidence against him and all his pistols
were fully loaded. Capt. John Davis,
State House policeman, said wv nen
the shots we're fired Governor Taylor
stepped to a window where he could
see the tragedy. He exclaimed: My
God what have they done? Davis, 60
tell General Collier to call out the
troops.' when l started out" con-
tinued Captain Davis, "Whittaker fol-
lowed me. He had been sitting 10 q
room just next to Governor Tsylor's
office. He is innocent"
Dfs. Hume, Mccormick and Tobin,
who attended GOebel, found that the
ball had entered at the upper right
breast near the armpit, ranged down
ward and trsnsversely through the
right lung, passing to the back OF and
below the heart and emerging to the
left OF the spinal column at about the
waist line. The entrance wound was
so large, half inch 10 diameter, that
the doctors believe it was made by 40
caliber pistol ball. All the witnesses,
however, agree that the detouatiOns
we're surely from 32-caliber Wlnches'
ter. The direction which the bullet
travelled aud the accuracy of the hrs
shot seem to sustain the belief that q
rifle was used. The assassin did not
fire out OF the windows OF the State
House at right angles, but obliquely
down.
The republican State officials and
members of the legislature, without ex-
ception, denounced the shooting in the
most unmeasured terms. Governor
Taylor Immediately caused u small ad-
dress to be published, in which be de
clared the affair to be disgrace and an
outrage, and calling for the most sober
condemnation. He sent orders at once
to Adjutsnt General Collier, direc ing
him to take Steps for the preservation
of order.
Orders were issued to outside COM
psDies throughout the State to make
ready at once to come to Frankfort, the
entire State guard being called into
service.
Three hundred men of the Second
Kentucky infantry were camped around
the Capitol building last night, and l.
500 more are expected.
The excitement among the followers
of Mr.. Goebel was great, and for SNORT
time Immediately following the shoe =
ING of heir leader there was more than
possibility that some OF the notheads
would seek vengeance upon their pc
litical allies. Threats were made against
republican leaders and attorneys dur
ing the excitement, but the leading
democratic members of the House and
Senate soon brought them TO calmer
talk.
The news of the shooting of Goebel
was received at the White House while
The Cabinet was 10 session. Upon read.
ing the bulletin the President expresst d
mis- sorrow and remarked that it was q
great calamity.
Mr.. Bryan, when Informed OF the
shooting, expressed the hope that tue
Kentucky democrats would not resort
to any act of violence.
The democrats are keeping an ex
ceedingly close watch over the person
of. c. w. Bsckhsm, the contestant for
the position of Lleutenant-Governor,
In the event of Goebel's death he Is
their only hope, and they declare with
earnestness that if Goebel dies there
will be no other Governor but Beck
ham. Beck ham is kept 10 his room a.
the Capitol Hotel and will be guarded
closely until the trouble Is over. d.
declares tibet he needs no guard, but TIT
democrats pay no attention to his re
monstrances.
1t is reported that Speaker Trimble
| of ne House, has declared the legisla
ture will be removed to Covington ant
that Goebel will there be declared Gov
| erDOT.