The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-02-10
EARLIER ACCOUNTS.

EARLIER ACCOUNTS.
Summary of Recent Sensatl0nal
Happenings at Frankfort.
While walking through the capitol
grounds at Frankfort, Ky, on his way
to the capitol building, at lilo o'clock
Tuesday morning, William Goebel, the,
Democratic contestant for governor Of
Kentucky, was shot down and very
dangerously wounded. Harland Whit
taker, a farmer from Butler county,
the home county Of Gov. Taylor, is now
in Jail at Louisville, charged with the
crime. There is no direct evidence
against Whitaker, and he was placed
under arrest more because he was
caught around the capitol building,
whence the shots We're fred, than for
airy other apparent reason. Senator
Goebel was wounded by a rifle ball of
small caliber, not over 80, which struck
him in the right side just below the
armpit. The ball passed through the
back part of the right lung, across the
body on a diagonal line, passing out
below the left shoulder blade.
Senator Goebel was Immediately re-
moved to his hotel and medical at
tendance summoned. Later, a consult
alton Of prominent surgeons was held,
and the wound was pronounced neces-
sarily fatal. 1t was thought that Mr..
Goebel could not survive the night.
Republican officials and members of
the legislature denounced the shooting
In unmeasured terms.
Gov. Taylor issued orders to Adjt.
Gen. Collier to take steps to preserve
order. The entire state guard was
called into service, and soldiers were
err places where expected disorder
might break out.
While Mr.. Goebel lay at the point Of
death in his room, as the result Of an
assassin's bullet, the contesting
boards, which for two weeks had been
listening to the evidence i'm the con-
test for the governors chair, declared
him entitled to the seat.
GOebel Sworn In.
Shortly after 8 O'clock Wednesday
night, William, Goebel was sworn in rs
governor, and J. G. w. Beckham as
lieutenant governor. The members Of
the legislature were prevented from
holding a session by the militia, under
orders of Gov. Taylor. The Democrat
ic members signed a statement setting
forth the fact that 1t was their belief
that Goebel had been legally elected
governor, and that they had been pre-
vented from taking action on the re-
port of the contest board by Gov. Tay-
lor's action in refusing to allow the leg.
is lature to convene. On the strength
of this statement, Chief Justice Hazel
rigg administered the oath Of office to
Goebel and Beckham.
Gov. Goebel's first action was to is
sue an order dispensing the militia, but
his order vas ignored.
Gov. Taylor issued n. proclamation
declaring that a state of in%surrect!cn
existed. and adjourned the legislature
to meet at Ioudon, Ky, Feb. 6.
No unfavorable symptoms appeared
in Goebel's condition during the day.
and he rested comfortably.
During the day the Democratic mem
bers of the legislature made several at
tempts to hold a session, but were pre-
vented by the militia.
Try to Patch 1t Up.
On Thursday n proposition was mA..
to the Democratic managers by the
Republicans looking to an amicable adj
justment Of the controversy The prop
osition was to submit the case to the
state courts, which would undoubtedly
decide against Taylor. Then the case
was to be taken to the United States
supreme court for final settlement.
The Democrats declared that they de-
sired to have the matter adjudicated in
the state courts, and thus the attempt
for a peaceful settlement was
dropped.
The Democrats continued their eff
forts to hold q session of the legisla-
ture, but without avail.
Mr.. Goebers physicians said there
was q possibility of uraemic poisoning,
and it was possible that the governor
might die in a convulsion almost any
time.
Gov. Taylor issued an appeal to Pres
ident Mckinley, reciting at length the
situation in Kentucky. He said he
was doubtful of his power to control
the situation. and appealed to the
president to end the matter and secure
peace in the state by recognizing him
as governor Of Kentucky.