The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-27
BUT TWAS AFALSEALARM
A Most Exciting Incident at the Trial
of Powers.
THE CROSS EXAMINATION OF GOLDEN
Golden Says the Alleged Assassin of Goebel,
Dick Coombe, Was Brought to Frank
fort, by William Cutler. The Com
monWealth Rests Its Case.
monweaIth Rests Its Case.
(By the Associated Press.)


Frankfort Ky, March 26.-The most
thrilling event of the examining trial OF
Republican Secretary of State Caleb Pow
ers occurred this afternoon shortly after
three O'Clock, and for a few minutes it
looked as if serious trouble could not be
prevented. Colonel George Denny, for
the defendant in an argument upon the
competency of a question, said
1T is perfectly lawful for people to
come here. and to come armed. l came
here several times myself"
He was referring to the crowd that was
present at the mass meeting held in the
State House yard just prior TO Governor
Goebel's assassination.
Colonel Campbell. for the prosecution,
replied that he did not consider it law
ful and was surprised to know that Mr.
Denny had come here armed. Denny de-
MED having made such a statement, and
said that he did not come armed Camp
bell insisted that he had made the state
ment. Both men were very much eXcit-
ed and spoke with vehemence and with
arms shaking commenced to advance to-
ward each other. The court room was
crowded and the audience evidently
thought fight was on and made mad
rush for the doors and windows, people
falling over each other in their efforts to
get out Of the room. Several policemen
and deputy 5heriffs were crying for or
der and Judge Moore was bringing his
gavel down with terrific force and urg-
ing the people to take their seats. After
five or ten minutes of the most exciting
scene since the assassination, quiet was
restored.
Colonel Campbell then arose and apol
Gized to Denny and to the court, Colonel
Denny replying in a very happy speech.
On an inspection Of the record it was
found that Colonel Campbell had mis-
construed Colonel Dennys statement.
At the conclusion of the examination
of Golden the Commonwealth rested its
case.
Golden, as the prosecutions star wit
ness, created great interest When
placed on the stand for cross examination
he said he learned about two weeks ago
that he would be arrested if ne did not
tell what he knew about the assassina
tion. and that if he did tell the attorneys
for the commonwealth would try and
save him from prosecution.
Thomas Cromwell who swore out the
warrants against Powers, was the first
person he talked to about the assassina-
ton Cromwell had been to the noun
tains and heard that he was connected in
some way with the murder and sent for
him. Golden told Powers of his conver-
sation with Cromwell, told him (Powers)
that he wanted to get away from the
State House. He got leave of absence
from Republican Assistant Adjutant Gen
eral Nixon and left.
He said he could not remember that he
ever heard Powers say that he intended
to harm any one. Dick Coombs, the al
legged assassin, was brought to Frankfort
he said by William Cuton, one of the
defendants.
| Golden said he told Judge Fleming, of
| Winchester, that he intended to tell all
he knew about the affair. While he was
in Winchester, he said he was stopped by
| two men, DR.. Foster and William Steele,
who grabbed him by the arms and cursed
| him for exposing the Republican party.
| Golden replied that he had not exposed
| the party.
| The witness said that when he heard
on his way to Louisville with Powers,
| that Governor Goebel had been shot, he
1 told Powers what had happened and Pow
ers said that it was a dirty shame and
outrage When asked about the man who
was given the key the morning Goebel
was killed, Golden said he did not know
his name, but could recognize him any
where. He said he saw him here Satur-
! day.
MARSHALL TALKS TO GRIGGS.
Washington, March 26.-Lieutenant
Governor Marshall, of Kentucky. who has
been in the city for about a week in con-
ference with Republican leaders touch
| ing the situation in that State left here
tonight presumably for his home. During
the day Mr.. Marshall had conference
with Attorney General Griggs, it is sur
! missed regarding the question of the pos
| siblity of Federal interference in the
State. Mr.. Grggs refused to say any
thing about his talk with the Lieutenant
view was informal and unofficial.
| was informal and unofficial
| Captain Robert Noaks. for whom it