Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1900-02-02
CHAOS IN KENTUCKY.
TWO MEN CLAIMING TO BE Gov
ERNOR.
0oebel Sworn in and Orders Militia to Re.
turn Home-Militla Loyal to Taylor,
Who Declares Legislature Ad-
journsd-ChAOs ReIgns.

Chaos reigns in Kentucky. Never
before in the history OF this storm
center has such condition existed,
nor public feeling been SO high.
With two men claiming to hold the
Office of governor, the partisans of each
charging the other with fraud and
violation of law, one probably on his
deathbed and the other endeavoring TO
enforce his edicts at the point Of the
bayonet, q clash seems inevitable and
serious consequences must follow.
Early in the day, January 81, Cover
nor Taylor, In order to forestall any
attsmpt of the partisans Of William
Goebel In the legislature to declare
Mr.. Goebel elected, issued proclama-
tion adjourning the legislature, and
calling il to meet at London, Kentucky,
February 8.
Notwithstanding this, however, the
Democrats ct o'clock at night held n
session in the Capital hotel, heard the
report of the committee, and declared
William Goebel governor and J. O.
BreckhAm lieutenant governor of Ken
tucky. Chief Justice Hazelrigg of the
court of appeals was sent for and adj
ministered the onth A proclamation
was then issued by Goebel ordering all
armed persons who were intimidating
and restraining members of the legis-
lature from performing their duties
(meaning the militia ami partisans of
Governor Taylor to dispense. No more
attention was paid to this proclama-
iion than the one issued by Governor
Taylor adjourning the legislature. The
outcome is difficult to predict.
All day through the streets of Frank
fort soldiers marched and counter
marched. Drills in the streets we're
frequently held in order that the men
might DO warmed bv exercise after
they had remained in the biting wind.
Around the penitentiary was a line
OF troops, in front of the opera house
was guard, three companies stood at
rest in the open space in front of the
Capitol hotel, sentries patrolled every
side of the building in which ex-Gov'
ernor Bradley resides, and a detach.
ment of infantry held the courthouse
against the possible coming Of the
members of the legislature with tbs
intention Of declaring that not the liv
!, ing William S. Taylor, but the dying
William Goebel, was the lawful heat
and chief executive Of the common
wealth of Kentucky.
It was the intention of Governo
Taylor and his advisers that no meet
ing of the legislature should be hel,
even though it proved necessary to al
rest and detain in custody all thos
who persisted in holding meetings
= Not . member of the legislator
knew whether or not the body woul
. be permitted to meet in the Capito
, building. They knew that soldier
! were guarding every gate. and tina
nobody would be allowed to ente
without pass. They decided, how
!. ever, to meet at the Capitol hotel an
march in body to the capitol. Cler
Edward Lee of the house, with Repre-
u sentatives Kilday and Lewis, forme
the advance guard and at 9:4O the
Q presented themselves at the south gat
. Of the capitol grounds
2 A young lieutenant was on guard
command of small squad. As SOC
As the members Of the legislature wei
% identified they were admitted and a
70 lowed to pass into the capitol building
. Not q soldier was in sight on the GU
aide of the building, but once the do'
y was opened it looked like war. LoT
II lines OF infantry were drawn up {
y each side Of the hall with fixed bay
nets. At the foot of the stairs leadiI