The age-herald., 1900-07-31
CALEB POWERS TALKS
 IN HIS OWN BEHALF
He Admits He Organized the MOuntaineers, But Not
 for the Purpose of Intimidation

or tell of apprehension which ne pasea oh common rumor.
 Continuing the witness said ne nad re- ceived information that MT. TIill the con testant for Secretary of State, would not wait until the contests were settled Tn court but would undertake to take torcl- ble possession as soon as the Contest Board acted. If that sort of thing, sad he, had been attempted, we intended 10 hold the offices. l had conference With Governor Taylor, and he advised the bring ing of large body of men to show thelr interest in political affairs.
 He also advised that they be brought armed, and promised to pay the expenses I acted on this," said Powers "The plans were kept secret" he said, ito prevent dropping us through bridge or deraiiing our train.
 II told those in the confidence" he said, "the utmost secrecy must be observed In getting them there before the news got out"
 Recess till afternoon.
 At the afternoon session the defendant re- stunned the stand. He read to the jury re- ceipts from various parties which ne salo were for money paid by him for board TOT some of the mountain men brought by hlm to the State capital. He then told Of the Barbourville conference at which Finley, Powers and others discussed the arrange ments with John A. Black, who strongly opposed the movement. The witness said he assured Black that he and Finley would use their best endeavors to keep the crowd from degenerating into mob but denied that he told Black he was going to organize a mob. He said he had no recollection of having said In the presence of w. H. Gull ton that the Legislature would be given thirty minutes to act and if it did not do 1t in that time they would kill the Demo- cratic legislators. Afterwards he said posi- lively that no such remark was made and added, "the men came and nothing of the sort was done. We could have cleaned them up as Culton put it, if we had de- sired.' About Noaks' Testimony
 In regard to sending the men home from Frankfort the evening of January 25, about which Witness Noaks testified last week, and told of breach between the witness and Governor Taylor, Powers said:
 T heard that they were going to send the men home and opposed it as the men had been up all the night before. I went to see Governor Taylor. He told me that 1t had been decided to send them home, as thelr presence was having bad effect. Some of the anti-Goebel Democrats in the Legislature had strongly disapproved of bringing the men armed and had threatened to desert Governor Taylor in the. contest unless he sent the men home"
 The witness told of a conference at the AiSAAC oi IOStIUdSteE F. Ctay Elk1n. af Lex ington, at which the witness and others participated. This was the day after Rep resentative Berry was unseated Those in tn conference decided mat the vote had not been properly taken and that Berry should refuse to give up his seat. On the follow Ing day the witness said he intended to go 10 Louisville to make arrangements for transporation of some of the mountain meu. but did not get off that day He did not give foutsey key or keys, nor did he near a conversation with Jim Powers and Goiden In reference of Goebel going to be Killed by "rallow Dick Combs He did meet Youtsey in the hall of the executive building and Youtsey asked him to let him into the office. Witness did not know why foutsey wanted to get in there, but wit ness dlo not want him in there. Witness had keys in his pocket. Previous to his occupancy of the office there were three Keys to the door, only one of which was turned over to him. w. J. Davidson is said to have had one of these keys and A negro porter is said to have had the other dur1ng F1nleys incumbency of the office, put witness never had but one key He talked with Treasurer Day and w. J. Day. loson Monday evening, January 29 about bringing another body of men to Frank Icrt, but did not decide until Tuesday morn Ing, the morning of the assassinat tion It was agreed to do 1t. Day. Golden and wit ness went to Louisville for the purpose of securing transportation for the crowd that was to be gotten up. The witness ex- planned that the slip of paper found in his pocket when he was arrested and which read, Powers is our friend (signed w S. Iaylor, was given to him by Governor Taylor on the morning of the assassination to be taken to Pension Agent Leslie Combs al Louisville, who had charge of the funds With which the expenses of the contest were being paid.
 Ihe testimony was interrupted at this point by adjournment.